Bellingham Family Law Attorneys
Bellingham is a great place to live and raise a family. However, there may come a time when you need the help of Bellingham family law attorneys. Whether you are considering a divorce, are fighting for custody of your children, or are seeking support for a marital issue, finding the right attorney can make all the difference.
When it comes to family law, there are many things to consider. It can be difficult to determine the right course of action for your specific situation. One of the best options is to speak with a family law attorney. We will be able to guide you through the process and help you find the right solution.
We specialize in divorce, separation agreements, child custody, temporary restraining orders, domestic violence protective orders. and other family law matters. We can help you get the outcome you need and desire.
Dealing with family law can be difficult. It can be especially difficult if you are not familiar with the system. If you are looking for a Bellingham family law attorney who can help you navigate the system and get the results that you want, contact our office. We will work hard to get you the best possible results.
Contact us today. We look forward to discussing your legal options with you and answering any questions you may have.
Law Firm for Family Issues in The Whatcom County Area
Family Lawyer Bellingham
Why Hire A Bellingham Family Law Attorney?
Contact Our Bellingham Family Lawyers
A family law attorney in Bellingham can provide invaluable advice and support during a difficult time. He or she will know the law well and will be able to help you navigate through the legal system.
A well-represented spouse can achieve positive results in court, which is why it is important to seek the help of an attorney. Working with a qualified family law attorney can provide many benefits, including:
- Increased understanding: A professional will have experience dealing with family law issues, which will enable them to better understand your case.
- Assistance in negotiating settlement agreements: A lawyer can help draft a settlement that meets your needs and is reasonable for both you and your spouse.
- Representation in court: If litigation is necessary, our Bellingham family law attorneys will be on your side.
Family Law Services We Offer
- Divorce Agreements
- Separation Agreements
- Child Custody Agreements
- Child Support Orders
- Domestic Violence Protective Orders (DVPO)
- Temporary Restraining Orders (TRO)
Family Law In Washington State
What is Family Law?
Family law is the law that deals with the relationships between families. This includes things like divorces, custody battles, and family inheritance. It can be a complex and difficult area of law to understand, and it is important to have the help of a qualified attorney when dealing with family law matters.
In Washington state, family law is divided into two main categories: civil law and criminal law. Civil law deals with the legal relationships between people, while criminal law deals with the violation of those relationships. This means that family law matters can often be resolved through the courts, rather than through private negotiations.
If you are in a relationship where something is not working and you feel like you may need to take action, please don’t hesitate to contact our firm. We can help you understand your options and get the best possible outcome for your situation.
Wisdom Law provides both family law and criminal legal services.
What Types of Cases Do
Bellingham Family Law Attorneys Handle?
Divorce Agreements
If you and your spouse are unable to come to an agreement on important issues, a family law attorney can help you negotiate a settlement.
Child Support
Biological or adoptive parents are responsible for paying child support when their income is greater than the other spouse.
Child Custody
Worried about how your child will be affected by a divorce or separation? Our family law attorneys can help you determine which parenting arrangement is best for your child.
Temporary Restraining Orders
If you or your children are being threatened or abused by your spouse, seeking a restraining order can help protect against harm.
Alimony
If you are seeking or obligated to pay spousal support, our family law attorneys can help you understand your rights and options.
Domestic Violence Protective Orders (DVPO)
If you or your children are victims of domestic violence, immediately seek help from our family law attorneys with a DVPO.
What to Consider When Choosing A
Family Law Attorney in Bellingham WA
Family law attorneys will be able to help you understand your rights and options, as well as how the court system works.
It is important to speak with a family law attorney about your specific situation. No two cases are exactly alike, so it is important to have someone who understands your unique situation and can help you navigate through the legal system.
It is important to find an attorney who is honest and trustworthy. No matter what your situation, you want someone you can count on to represent you honestly and diligently.
If you are in a relationship where something is not working and you feel like you may need to take action, please don’t hesitate to contact our firm.
We can help you understand your options and get the best possible outcome for your situation.
Wisdom Law provides legal services pertaining to both family law and criminal law.
We would be happy to discuss your specific situation with you and answer any questions you may have.
Contact us today to discuss your legal options and answer any questions you may have.
Bellingham Divorce Attorney
If you’re considering a divorce in Bellingham, a family law attorney will be able to help you navigate the legal process and protect your rights.
Some things your lawyer may do for you include:
- Advising you on the best way to go about getting divorced
- Helping you negotiate a settlement agreement with your spouse
- Attending court hearings on your behalf
- Providing support during the divorce process
Finding the right Bellingham family law attorney is important. Let our knowledge, experience & compassionate legal services guide you through your divorce and family law matters. We provide you with the support you need to get through this difficult time.
Different Types of Divorce
If you are in the midst of a divorce in Whatcom County and are wondering what to do next, you may be wondering how to find the right Bellingham family law attorney for you.
There are three types of divorce in Washington: dissolution, separation, and annulment.
Dissolution is the most common type of divorce in Washington. It is also the simplest. You and your spouse agree to end your marriage, court papers are filed, and the divorce is finalized.
Separation is a bit more complicated than dissolution. You and your spouse go to court and agree to live separate lives for a set period of time (usually six months). If you and your spouse can’t come to an agreement on the terms of separation, you may have to go through a trial.
Annulment is the rarest type of divorce in Washington, but it’s also the most complicated. You and your spouse go through a full legal process, including a hearing before a judge who decide whether or not your marriage was actually illegal at the time it was conducted. If annulment is granted, your marriage never existed in the first place.
Spousal Maintenance (Alimony)
Alimony is a common issue in Bellingham family law cases. Alimony is basically defined as one spouse’s payment to the other—under a court order or the couple’s agreement—after divorce or while a divorce case is proceeding.
The purpose of alimony is to help the poorer spouse transition back into the workforce or into a new phase of life.
The length of alimony payments can be based on a variety of factors, including the length of the marriage, the incomes of the spouses, and the needs of both spouses.
Alimony isn’t automatic and isn’t ordered in every divorce. If you’re facing a divorce and are planning to request alimony, or you think your spouse might ask for it, you’ll want to understand what alimony is, how judges decide to award it, when you can change or stop alimony payments, and how you and your spouse might reach an agreement on the issue rather than having a judge decide for you.
You don’t always have leave it up to a judge make a decision about alimony in your divorce. In fact, going to trial on any disputes with your spouse is a sure-fire way of increasing the cost of divorce. You’ll most likely need a lawyer to navigate the trial process, including gathering the right kind of evidence and preparing for the hearing.
You might have to hire experts like vocational evaluators. If you or your spouse are seeking alimony, the two of you may work out a settlement agreement that will become part of the divorce decree or judgment. You can also agree about temporary support payments and about whether and when alimony payments can be changed in the future.
Child Custody Lawyer
Children can be a big issue in any divorce or separation. You and your spouse may want to consider what model of parenting you would like to pursue. There are a variety of options, including joint custody, sole custody, and shared custody. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses.
When determining child custody rights, there are many important points to consider. You will need to find out if your child will live with you and, if so, whether you will have the ability to make decisions about how your child is raised. You may be wondering what child custody and visitation issues will be resolved if you or your spouse are considering divorcing. Child custody and visitation can be settled by agreement between divorcing couples (often with the assistance of mediators and attorneys) or by the court.
Unmarried parents may have different rights to child custody, depending on whether they are legally recognized as the parent of the child. Parents may need to acknowledge paternity of the father if they are not married. If the father refuses to acknowledge his paternity, the court might order a DNA test to prove paternity.
In general, both parents have the legal right to participate in their child’s lives. This includes the decision to parent important matters such as education, religion, and health care. It is usually best for all parties if the parents agree to an out-of-court child custody and visitation arrangement. The parents can reach an agreement that is best for them without having to rely on a judge. A family court judge will decide the case if the parents are unable to agree or mediation fails.
Paternity
In Washington, a man who is not married to the mother at the time she gives birth is presumed to be the father. If you want to challenge this presumption, you must go through a legal process known as paternity testing. Paternity testing can provide definitive evidence that you are not the father and may entitle you to financial compensation from your former partner.
Words of Wisdom
Child Support
Child support is a payment made by one spouse to the other after a divorce or separation. The purpose of child support is to help provide for the children of the marriage.
Child support is calculated based on each parent’s income, the number of children involved, and numerous other relevant factors.
Child support can be arranged in divorce, marital separation or annulment. It may also supplement alimony (spousal assistance) arrangements.
If one parent is non-custodial and the other custodial, child support can be ordered to be paid to them both. If both parents have joint custody (or shared custody), child support can also be ordered. Sometimes, the court may order a parent who has sole custody to pay child support to the other parent in order to support their children while they are under the parent’s care.
Like most states, Washington has child support guidelines that establish payment amounts.
Temporary Restraining Orders (TRO) Bellingham
A judge can issue a temporary order if it seems that the situation is urgent. This will take effect immediately, but only for a limited time.
These TROs may also be called “ex parte orders”-an acronym for orders that a judge issues based on information contained in a request without speaking to the person who is the subject of the order (“defendant”) or “respondent”.
Temporary restraining order (TRO) is a temporary pre-trial injunction. A party must prove to the judge that he/she will suffer irreparable injury if the order is not issued in order to obtain a TRO.
A temporary restraining orders can be issued by the judge immediately, without notifying the other parties or holding a hearing, if the judge is convinced. These orders are temporary and will not last beyond the hearing to determine whether or not to grant preliminary injunctions. The decisions of judges on whether or not to issue a TRO cannot be appealed.
A TRO can be issued without informing any party or holding a hearing. Many courts will not issue them. Instead, they will grant a preliminary order after a hearing.
A TRO expires after 14 days unless it is extended or the party against which it is directed consents to it being extended for a longer time.
Domestic Violence Protective Orders (DVPO)
People who are at risk of being abused by a family member or violence may apply for a court order to protect them. These orders can are known as Domestic Violence Protective Orders (DVPO).
Different types of protection orders can be applied to different individuals and different situations. Most court orders are designed to prevent the “respondent” (or “defendant”) from contacting the “petitioner”/victim/witness. If these orders are violated, you could face criminal prosecution.
It is important to know which protection order might be appropriate for you or someone you care about if you feel threatened. A DVPO may be temporary, permanent or for one year.
This type of order may also apply to those who are subject to firearm prohibitions. You must be present at court to file for a DVPO.
Prepare yourself for hearings by gathering evidence such as photos, witnesses, etc. You may be able to ask for an immediate restraining or temporary restraining order if this is an urgent matter.
When granted, a TRO provides immediate orders and will remain in effect until the court holds further hearings. A judge or commissioner will then decide whether the order should be continued.
A Domestic Violence Protective Order provides immediate protection against abuse and reduces the time it takes for court proceedings. Anybody in an abusive situation or responding to an allegation should immediately seek competent legal counsel like our attorneys at Wisdom Law.
Wisdom Law
Your Bellingham Family Law Attorneys
Choosing the right Bellingham family law attorney can be a daunting task, but it is one of the most important decisions you will make during your divorce. When choosing a Bellingham family law attorney, it is important to consider all of your options.
Our Bellingham family law attorneys provide you with the legal support that you need during a difficult time. We understand the importance of family law, and we will fight for your rights until resolution. Additionally, we are trained in managing high conflict situations as well as mediating disputes to develop communication plans, co-parenting strategies, negotiate school, healthcare, and religion decisions.
At Wisdom Law, our skillful attorneys have the knowledge and resources to help you through whatever may come your way during a divorce, custody matter, separation agreement, restraining orders or other family law matters.
Our office is located in Bellingham, Washington, and we are always available to help. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
Whatcom County Superior Court
for Belliingham Family Law Clients
If you have a family law matter, legal services are provided through the Whatcom County Superior Court.
The Superior Court is located at 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 301, Bellingham, WA 98225