Kathryn Verity Fields's Answers

Can you be held responsible for not picking up your grandmother that as dementia from the hospital?

I would recommend you or her children contact DSHS for assistance. It is possible that your grandmother qualifies for public assistance. This can include health care, nursing home care, and so on. If you do not want to assume financial responsibility, I recommend you carefully read any papers you are asked to signed. If you are not her guardian, do not have a medical power of attorney, etc., there is likely no reason you should assume any responsibility or sign any forms. If you are told...

1 lawyer agreed with this answer

Does a Parenting Plan need to be established before I can file for custody?

The type of action needed in your situation depends on your legal relationship with the mother and your child. For example, based on more precise information about your case: (1) If you and the mother never married but you are on the birth certificate, you would need to file a Petition to establish a parenting plan. The parenting plan sets forth which parent the child resides with primarily and the visitation for the other parent. It also determines any restrictions, allocates decision-...

1 person marked this answer as helpful

Child support

Definitely. In Washington, the court and parties still need to determine which parent will be the primary residential parent (A primary custodian of the children must be identified in the parent plan by law, even if the children reside substantially 50/50 with the 2 parents). The primary residential parent (which we formerly referred to as the parent with "custody"), must receive child support of some amount from the other parent. By statute, the Court may consider (note: "consider") the...

1 person marked this answer as helpful

Is there a law or what can be done in this situation where there is a order of protection against the father....

Unfortunately, this is a common abuse of protection orders. The solution depends on what precisely the Order says. I recommend you contact my office for a free consultation (or another another attorney who also frequently practices civil protection order cases) to review the exact language of the order. Many times a motion can be brought to remedy the problem. If the Court did not intend to have the order of protection prevent you from contact with your children, judges are often unhappy...

I am filing for a divorce how long will it take to get finalized?

In Washington, from the date of filing the case or serving the other party (whichever occurs last), a divorce can be finalized in as little as 90 days. From a practical standpoint, however, the complications that are associated with a particular case the longer it will likely take to complete it. Cases involving domestic violence, custody disputes, complex property divisions, or the needs for spousal maintenance (alimony) assessments can often take between 8 to 14 months from start to finish....

I was arested for assult in the 4th & domestic Violance what happens now I have no criminal history.

It is very important that you retain experienced legal counsel as soon as possible. The fact that you do not have a prior criminal history will likely have no significance on whether you are found guilty or not guilty in this particular event. A record of prior convictions, or lack thereof, however, is typically considered in the context of sentencing if you are in fact found to have committed the offense. Depending on the severity of the charges and other factors, you may be eligible for...

My ex boyfriend took my son with out my consent. I am very concerned because he has been suicidal in the past.

It was not clear to me whether your "ex" is your ex-boyfriend or ex-husband. How to address your situation depends a great deal on whether there is a court-ordered parenting plan (or other custody order) in place or not. If you are divorced from your ex and were made the custodial (or primary residential) parent under the divorce decree and/or parenting plan, then seeking the court's help through a contempt motion would be a logical place to start. If, however, you were never married to this...

Can i reduce my child support payment?

Under most circumstances, the paying parent does not get a reduction of support for having their child extra days. The reasoning behind this is that the expenses in the home of the primary residential parent (rent, electricity, water, child's clothing, child's other needs, etc.) essentially remain the same whether you have 4 days a month or 8 days a month (or some other number). Also, one's child support amount is set by a court order (or may have been adminstratively set if DSHS is involved)....

What age can my 13 yr old daughter decide if she does not want to go to her dads on his weekend?

Under Washington law, visitation and custodial arrangements are considered adult matters to be decided by the parents subject to approval by the Court. It is not up to children at any age (short of 18 or emancipation) to get to decide where they will live. If your relationship with your daughter's father ended with a legal separation or a divorce, while you may not have had to have a trial to resolve things, at some point the Court signed a parenting plan that set forth the visitation times...

Can I remove the parental rights of my daughter's father?

The problems you mention are serious concerns. They may well form a valid basis for restricting the father's visitation rights and/decision making rights concerning your joint daughter. Such restrictions (sometimes referred to by family law attorneys as the "191 Factors"), however, are different than termination of parental rights. Termination of parental rights is a very last option available that is normally only sought by the State when that appears the only way to save the child's life...