Attorney Articles & Analysis

If you are filing for divorce, legal separation, or a paternity action in Jefferson County, and have minor children, you will encounter a specific hurdle early in the process: the mandatory parenting seminar. For many parents in Port Townsend and surrounding areas, this requirement comes as a surprise. You may wonder: “Why do I need a class? I know how to raise my kids.” It is important to understand that the Jefferson County Superior Court does not require this class to teach you how to parent. They require it to teach you how to co-parent through a legal separation. Here is everything you need to know to satisfy this requirement efficiently so your case – and your family – can move forward. 1. What is the Requirement? Under Jefferson County Local Court Rules (LFLR 9), both parties in a case involving the residential schedule of a child must complete an

If you and your child’s other parent were never married, Washington law still provides an avenue for you to sort out: In Jefferson County, that all happens through Superior Court in Port Townsend. This article explains how it works here specifically for unmarried parents. (This is general information, not legal advice about your particular situation.) 1. Do unmarried parents have different rights in Washington? Short answer: once parentage is legally established, unmarried parents have basically the same rights and responsibilities as divorced parents when it comes to issues pertaining to the children But there are two big practical differences for unmarried parents: Until there’s a court order, things are fuzzy. You might be “getting along for now,” but you don’t have enforceable rules if conflict breaks out, someone moves, someone withholds the child, or someone doesn’t pay their share of the cost of daycare.  2. Step One: Establishing parentage (paternity)

If you (or your spouse) have a military career, your divorce will look different than a typical Washington State divorce – especially when it comes to retired pay and disability benefits. The rules are a mix of federal law, Washington’s community-property rules, and a line of court decisions that have changed over time. This article is written for service members and spouses in Jefferson and Island County, Washington who want a practical explanation of how these benefits are treated in a divorce. The Big Picture: Federal Law + Washington Community Property Washington is a community property state. In general, anything earned during the marriage – including retirement benefits – is presumed to be community property and subject to just and equitable division under RCW 26.09.080. But military benefits are not governed solely by Washington law. Two big federal pieces sit on top of everything: Washington courts have had to harmonize