require steady counsel.
Child Custody Handled with Care
At DuBois Levias Law Group, we aim for healthy relationship dynamics and parenting plans that are customized for your specific family.
Nothing strikes fear in the hearts of divorcing parents more than the thought of losing contact with their children. This highly charged aspect of divorce is universally nail-biting, especially when agonizing over the short and long-term wellbeing of your kids.
We strive to minimize the negative impact that custody cases can have on children. We look at the situation from the perspective of your kids first. Because that’s what’s best for your kids, and that’s the point of view the court prioritizes.
Making the Plan
In an ideal world, both parents would reach a win-win agreement between themselves, present that parenting plan to the court, and never give it a second thought. Unfortunately, real kid-filled life is not always that straightforward.
For disputes on child custody and support, working with seasoned divorce attorneys and mediators give you a good chance of working out a mutually agreeable plan at a lower cost than a full-fledged battle.
Court is a last resort. Do you really want your parenting terms dictated by an extremely busy judge who doesn’t know your child’s needs, personality, and desires? If push does come to shove however, our attorneys are skilled litigators who do not shy away from the courtroom to protect children.
Parenting Information
Even if one person previously held the role of the primary parent, the law in Washington directs the court to determine what future parenting relationship would serve the best interests of your children. Set your sights on their long-term health and happiness.
Both parents should ask themselves: “A year from the day I get divorced, how do I want my kids’ lives to be?” Where do you want them to be living? How do you want them to feel about themselves? Are their days and nights relatively stress-free?
We solidify these visions into a cohesive parenting plan that works livable wonders for your reconfigured family. Once you have a parenting plan in place, modifying it can be difficult, but we can handle that eventuality too.
Case Concerns: Parenting Evaluator
If you experience disagreements or conflict in your divorce or custody case, the court could appoint a Parenting Evaluator or a Guardian ad Litem (GAL). This person is typically an experienced family law attorney or mental health professional charged with making customized recommendations that look out for your child. The court relies heavily on their input.
Lean On Our Legal Team
We advocate for both moms and dads (with kids always the priority). We know how multi-faceted and multi-task-filled it is to be both a parent and a professional. We translate the emotion and everyday realities of parenting to legal arguments. We have a stellar record litigating cases with challenging child custody concerns, including accusations of domestic violence, drug use, child abuse, and mental illness.
Parenting Plans and Residential Schedules in Washington State
One of the most important parts of any divorce or custody case is developing a parenting plan that supports the unique needs of your children and your family. Our attorneys have extensive experience helping parents throughout Seattle, King , Snohomish, and Jeffferson counties to create practical, child-centered parenting plans that meet both family needs and Washington court requirements.
Customized Parenting Plans
Your child custody and visitation agreement—a required part of your final divorce orders called the parenting plan—is challenging to map out. With creative problem-solving and a personal approach, we help you come up with solutions tailored to your one-of-a-kind family.
Parenting Plan Modification
Families change, and sometimes an existing parenting plan no longer works. A move, changes in a child’s needs, safety concerns, repeated violations, or other significant changes may provide grounds to modify a parenting plan in Washington.
We help parents determine whether a modification is appropriate and navigate the legal process while keeping their children’s stability and long-term wellbeing at the center of the strategy.
Guardianship & Visitation Rights for Relatives
When parents are unable to safely care for a child, relatives may need to step in to provide stability and support. We help families throughout King, Shohomish and Jefferson Counties navigate minor guardianship cases to protect children who need an alternative to their parents as their guardian.
International Child Custody
With a global community in Seattle and rise in multinational marriages, international child custody issues are becoming more common. We employ a diverse team of lawyers with experience in the complexities of international custody laws and living abroad to help you navigate this disorienting scenario.
Parental Relocation
Strict laws exist on the parental relocation of a child. Representing both sides of this issue, we understand the legal and personal dynamics involved for both the parent who wants to move, and the parent objecting to a relocation.
Paternity Action in Washington State
If you are an unmarried father who wants to establish a meaningful relationship with your child, understanding your legal rights is critical.
At DuBois Levias Law Group, we help parents throughout Seattle, Bellevue, King County, and Western Washington navigate paternity actions, child custody matters, parenting plans, and child support issues.