Non Parental Custody In Washington Non-parental custody cases are disputes over the custody of a child usually between the biological parent(s) and a non-parent. Typically the non-parents asking for custody are relatives such as grandparents, aunts and uncles. There is a high burden of proof on non-parents to establish grounds for custody of a [...]
Washington Law and Process in Transferring a Guardianship from One State to Another Guardians will sometimes move the person under guardianship (called the “ward”) from one state to another. Because guardianship is based on state law, when moving a ward between states, the Guardian will want to make sure that they have the [...]
Step Parent Adoption Step parent adoptions are adoptions where someone’s spouse adopts their child. This type of adoption requires the consent of the spouse of the adopting step parent and usually also requires the termination of the parent-child relationship of the other parent. The most common step parent adoption is where a husband [...]
Foreign Re-Adoption Checklist of Steps to complete through the Law Office of Kathleen McCann for Foreign Re-Adoption Fill out the Adoption questionnaire and the attorney and paralegal will prepare drafts of the re-adoption documents for your review. After your review and revisions, where needed, —Client and attorney to sign. Then we can file [...]
Family Law Relocation Cases Relocation cases are often the most emotionally difficult cases in family law. If you are seeking to relocate with your child (ren) I can advise and represent you to ensure that your intended relocation is processed according to the law. If you wish to prevent the relocation of your [...]
Witness Instructions Following are some general instructions for testifying as a witness in court or in a deposition. The most important witness instruction is to tell the truth. There are two ways to tell the truth. One is a halting, stumbling, hesitant manner which makes the jury or judge doubt you are telling [...]
Guardianship of a Minor Guardianship of a minor (under 18) is a legal option that differs in many respects from guardianship of an adult disabled adult child who has turned 18 or guardianship of a person incapacitated by disability or dementia. Judges will want to insure that the impact and effect of a [...]
Petitioning for Guardianship of an Incapacitated Person In a guardianship, the responsibility of caring for a person who is not capable of caring for him or herself, and protecting their assets for their benefit, is a very important role. In Washington, anyone can file a petition for guardianship of someone who appears to [...]
Probate Attorney Vancouver WA When someone passes away, they may leave behind property and debts. Often, a spouse, a son, a daughter, or friend manages these final tasks and helps to distribute their estate. Is a Court Needed for Probate? Sometimes this can be done without a court process. Where court action is [...]
Termination of Parental Rights of Birth Parent Before a minor child can be adopted, that child must be “legally free” from the legal rights and the parental status of the birth parents. Termination of parental rights can take place either voluntarily or involuntarily. Consent to Termination of Parental Rights Usually, private placement adoptions, [...]
Consent to Adoption Relinquishment and Consent to Adoption Relinquishment means consent in the adoption context. The adoption statute has a procedure for parents to voluntarily relinquish (consent to) placing their children for adoption. The petition to relinquish a child may be filed separately or filed as a consolidated petition (one document) joining the [...]
Birth Father's Rights in Adoption Birth Father’s Rights and Responsibilities If a birth father is unknown or is unwilling to sign a consent to adoption and termination of his parental rights, a summons and petition for the termination of his parental rights must be filed and notice given to terminate his rights on [...]