Melissa Marie Denton's Answers

Mother has full custody of 16 year old and father has no visitation rights child wants to live with father in WA is this okay

I know that your heart is very hurt by what your son is saying. It is very upsetting for parents who are in the situation you face. The other responses to your question did not seem helpful to me, so I am answering your question differently. This situation has come up about five or seven times in my 18 years of practicing family law and it has been hard for every parent left behind. Here is what I have told my clients - Unless you have good reason to think that the other parent is going...

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Which state should a small claim suit be filed in?

I recommend you first talk with the Washington State DSHS Division of Child Support to see if they can help you for free.

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Can an ex mother-in-law demend furinature back that was given over 14 years ago?

You are asking a legal question for something that has more of an emotional intelligence answer. The technical legal answer is that the former mother in law can bring a lawsuit if she wants to claim that the furniture was only on loan and never belonged to her daughter and son in law. Then your husband can defend himself and claim that it was a gift. The emotional intelligence answer is: Wouldn't it be ever so nice if you and your husband made your home together with things that don't carry...

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Paying half of visitation supervisory services with NO income

You should not disobey a court order so your best option is to bring a motion to change the requirement for you to pay a portion of his supervised visitation expenses. You need to file a Petition for Modification of Child Support (requires a filing fee) and set it for hearing. You can have him served by an adult other than you sending him the legal papers by certified (plus regular) mail and having that person sign/file a declaration of service. If the requirement for you to pay is not in...

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What happens if my ex does not respond to a family law case in the 20 days but still shows up for court

You need to be aware of a saying: "The law abhors a default." This means that the courts and our system of justice in the United States vastly prefer that every person get their right to have their day in court and that decisions by our courts be based on all of the properly submitted evidence from both sides rather than just giving one side what they asked fo because of someone not meeting a technical rule. If the other side shows up at court before the default order is entered, they will...

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Washington State - how old does a child have to be to stay home by themself?

Although it is not a formal legalistic answer, I've heard a lot of folks say that well behaved, mature kids can be home alone for short periods at 11 or so and longer as they get older. Latchkey kids (home after school and before parents arrive after work) are sometimes younger, but it can be risky. Look for the child care options in your community. I know that the city where I live provides a free place for kids 34th grade and up to hang out. Boys and Girls club is also quite inexpensive and...

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Can I legally raise funds for paying for a lawyer FOR my daughter now. She will be old enough to have her own lawyer in 6 months

It is not illegal to save up money for a lawyer. Fundraising by asking for charity is illegal if it is for fraudulent purposes. I don't know why you think a 14 year old can have her own lawyer and that children of other ages can't. I am not aware of any law that says that. If you are thinking that 14 year olds get to decide which parent they will live with due to their age, that is not correct under Washington law. As children get older, they have more right to give input, but decisions are up...

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If you have lived with your boyfriend for 7 yeras and you have bought things together is there a law that you take your stuff?

The best way to handle your situation is to agree which stuff each of you will take. Things you got together are usually split pretty evenly (for current value) and each of you will probably keep stuff that you used more than the other person. If the title to something is in only one of your names, the person whose name is on it usually keeps it. I hope this is helpful. It is pretty rare that you would have enough valuable stuff at the end of a seven year relationship to make it worth...

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Isn't a response mandatory or not for family law case?

Even if you can't afford to hire an attorney to represent you, it would really be a good idea to seek advice from a knowledgable family law attorney. A response to the petition is required before a settlement conference date is set or to avoid a default being entered, but otherwise is not that important. There are many procedural details about what could happen in your case and a lawyer can tell you about them. I sense that you are leery of lawyers, but a consultation with one of us would help...

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If I am in the middle of a divorce and my moved out to be with his girlfriend, what are the odds I will have to move out until t

I am horrified to hear the awful things that have happened to you. Please keep yourself safe and be sure to call on family/friends/counseling and other support mechanisms to get help through this awfully difficult time. It seems that your question is about whether your husband can get you kicked out of your home. It is really difficult to give you a certain answer, but based only on the information in your question, I don't think so. You would feel much better if you can get a straight...

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