Spokane Child Custody Attorney
Our Experienced and Passionate Child Custody Attorneys in Spokane
- - Where your child lives
- - Who makes decisions in your child's life
- - How much time your child spends with each parent
Estimate Your Child Support Easily
Common Child Custody Issues We Can Help You With
- - Parenting plans and visitation
- - Enforcement of prior custody orders
- - Modifying an existing order
- - Relocations and move-away orders
- - Emergency or temporary custody
- - Custody in paternity cases
- - Domestic violence and child abuse cases
- - Grandparent custody and visitation
- - Termination of parental rights
Contact an Experienced Spokane Child Custody Attorney Today!
Types of Child Custody and Arrangements
Legal Custody
Legal custody determines who has the authority to make major life decisions for the child, including:- Education
- Sports and extracurricular activities
- Filing lawsuits
- Health care
- Religion
In short, legal custody covers all the important decisions related to the child, from signing permission slips to giving instructions to doctors.Physical Custody
Physical custody relates to the child's living arrangements. Physical custody describes:- Where the child lives
- How much time the child spends with each parent
- Who can visit the child
- Where the child spends holidays
In short, legal custody covers all the important decisions related to the child, from signing permission slips to giving instructions to doctors.Sole Custody
Physical/legal custody can be awarded to a single parent. When a court awards sole legal custody, the custodial parent has sole decision-making authority. They do not need to consult the other parent. More importantly, the non-custodial parent has no right to have a judge order the custodial parent to listen.Joint Custody
When the parents share physical and/or legal custody, they have joint custody. Under this arrangement, both parents participate in raising the child. Washington law tends to favor awarding joint custody unless there is some reason joint custody would harm the child's interests.Hybrid Custody
Hybrid custody covers everything else. Some examples of hybrid custody happen when:- A step-parent has loose visitation rights to a step-child
- An incarcerated, sick, or deployed parent cedes rights to the other parent
Hybrid custody arrangements are rare, but they can help address unique situations.
Custody Laws in Spokane, WA
Do You Need a Lawyer for Your Child Custody Case in Spokane?
Schedule a Free Consultation with Spokane Child Custody Attorneys
What Factors Are Considered When Determining Child Custody in Spokane, WA?
- - The child's relationship with each parent
- - Whether the parents agreed to any particular arrangement
- - Each parent's history of meeting their parenting responsibilities and whether one parent handled more of the parenting duties than the other
- - Each parent's ability to parent in the future
- - The child's emotional needs and developmental level
- - Where the child can maintain relationships with siblings and adult relatives
- - Whether the child needs to leave school or familiar surroundings
- - The parents' wishes
- - The child's wishes, if they are mature enough to express them
- - Each parent's employment schedule
How Do You Create a Parenting Plan in Spokane, WA?
- - How the parents will make decisions affecting the children
- - Where the child will live throughout the year, including allocations of any holidays and school breaks
- - How the parents will resolve disputes without resorting to the courts
Why Choose Child Custody Lawyers at Hodgson Law Office?
- - Free consultations so you can learn about your custody rights
- - Two decades of experience handling legal matters involving child custody
- - A track record of successfully representing parents, grandparents, and others in custody disputes
Call Family Lawyers for Child Custody Battle in Spokane
Reviews from Our Clients
Meet Our Attorneys
- Attorney
Mark D. Hodgson
I am committed to helping my clients through one of the most difficult times in their lives.... Julie Harrington
Briana Gieri
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Mark D. Hodgson
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Our Spokane Child Custody Lawyers Will Fight for You
FAQ
Can I get visitation without getting physical custody?
Yes, you do not need physical custody to have visitation rights. Judges will generally grant some physical contact with your children as long as you have not been convicted of any crimes like child abuse. For example, if you cannot get custody because of homelessness, you will probably get visitation.
How does child custody relate to child support?
The parent providing the child's primary residence usually receives child support from the other. Thus, if a child lives with the dad on weekdays while they attend school, the mom may pay child support. But child support orders are complex, so you should consult a lawyer to discuss your situation.
Do unmarried parents have parental rights?
Yes, a judge cannot discriminate against a parent because of their marital status. This means a parent can still get custody if the parents were unmarried. It also means a parent can seek custody if they are married to someone besides the child's other parent.
Can a judge award custody to someone besides a parent?
Yes, particularly when the child's home environment is unsafe or unhealthy. In these cases, a judge may determine that awarding custody to someone else serves the child's best interests. For example, if a child's parents are addicted to drugs or alcohol, an aunt, uncle, or grandparent can seek custody.
Does Washington family law favor mothers or fathers?
Washington state law mandates that both parents, regardless of gender, are treated equally in custody disputes. Courts can take into account which parent can provide a more stable and consistent environment, and many judges assume that person to be the mother. As a result, fathers often have an uphill battle.