Custody cases are often challenging for both parents and children, and the decisions made during these cases have a profound impact on the future of your family.
Whether you feel like you have more questions than answers, are concerned about your child’s safety, or are facing any of the other myriad situations that can occur, a child custody lawyer in Bremerton is ready to support and fight for you.
With over 180 years of combined experience, Dellino Family Law can help you navigate the challenges and complexities of your child custody case. We fiercely advocate for you so you can retain as much access to your child as possible.
A Bremerton family lawyer can skillfully represent you during this, so you have the support you need during this emotional, difficult, and uncertain time.
How a Bremerton Child Custody Attorney Can Support You Throughout Your Case
Dellino Family Law understands how difficult this change can be for your family, and we help you protect your child(ren) and your parental rights. When you work with our team, we provide you with trusted counsel, clear communications, and exceptional service that helps you not only get through the legal process but also ensures your child is protected, cared for, and has the stability they need.
Our team prepares you for what to expect throughout your case so you can take the next step forward in your case and toward your future.
We work diligently for you so you can get a favorable outcome. We help you fill out all the necessary forms, communicate with your partner about custody and parenting plans, and resolve disputes that may arise over the course of your case.
From the outset of your case, we spend time getting to know you so we can understand what you are going through and personalize our advice and strategies in your case. Whether you are facing an amicable or contentious custody situation, we are here for you and have your back.
Navigating Custody Agreements and Parenting Plans in Bremerton
When couples have children together and file for divorce, they must reach an agreement on how child custody should be divided, as well as create a parenting plan.
This process can be emotional and challenging, as both parents want to see their kids as much as possible. Dellino Family Law is empathetic to these challenges, and we work diligently to help you and your partner reach an agreement.
Parents must first determine who has physical and legal custody over the child. Physical custody refers to where a child lives and may be jointly or solely held. Legal custody encompasses who has the authority to make decisions on the child’s behalf. Again, both parents may share this responsibility, or one parent may have sole legal custody.
Additionally, parents must also create a parenting plan that outlines custody or visitation schedules, what and how decisions are made, how disputes are handled, where a child will attend school, their medical needs, and so much more.
A parenting plan should include as much detail as possible so there is a clear way forward, it creates stability for the child, and it fosters their well-being and quality of life.
How Child Support Payments are Calculated
Both parents are responsible for sharing the financial costs of raising their child, just as they would if they were married. Generally, the parent who does not have primary custody is required to make child support payments to help with expenses. Navigating child support is overwhelming, and a Bremerton child custody lawyer can provide clarity and counsel to help you both get through the legal process.
To determine how much child support payments should be, the courts review each parent’s financial situation and calculate payments based on the Washington State Child Support Schedule.
This document outlines how income, number of children, economic situation, and more are used to determine the sum a parent may be required to pay in their situation.
Child support payments can be made in a few different ways. Most commonly, payments through income withholding are used to deduct child support directly from your paycheck.
However, payments can also be withheld from unemployment, Paid Family Medical Leave, Social Security disability or retirement benefits, and even workers’ compensation. Talk to our team to understand your options.
Options for Modifying Orders in Bremerton After a Divorce
Once the court approves the custody, parenting plan, and child support payment agreements, it will finalize them by issuing orders that are binding.
This means that if a parent fails to follow the terms it outlines, there could be serious consequences. However, there may be times when an order may need to be changed to accommodate changing circumstances or to protect the child.
When it comes to custody agreement and parenting plan modifications, these are often limited to significant changes. According to RCW 26.09.260, grounds for modifying an order include unforeseen circumstances and situations where the best interest of the child has changed or is threatened. Once an order has been modified and approved by the court, it too is considered legally binding.
Changes to child support orders are also restricted. If a parent has had a significant change in income, child support may be adjusted to reflect the parent’s capacity.
Payments may be decreased if a parent is facing economic hardship due to a loss of income, or they could be increased if a parent has had a considerable pay increase. All changes must go through the court before adjusting payment amounts.
Dellino Family Law Supports You Through the Custody Process
Dellino Family Law works diligently to reduce the overwhelm and provide clarity when it comes to child custody. Our compassionate team also helps you navigate the highs and lows of this process and protect your child’s future.
Support from a child custody attorney in Bremerton can give you peace of mind as you go through this process. Schedule a consultation today to discuss your situation with our team.