Browse all the Lawforwa Resources on Family

Resource Description:

Questions answered by the resource:

Reporting Abuse of Children or Vulnerable Adults
http://www.dshs.wa.gov/geninfo/endharm.html
Source: Washington State Department of Social and Health Services

General information about reporting the abuse of children and vulnerable adults. Contains telephone numbers for DSHS's Endharm hotline.
full description

• What should I do if I know of a child or vulnerable adult that is being abused?
• Who should I contact to report abuse?

Child Custody Modification
http://www.lawhelp.org/WA/showdocument.cfm/County/
Source: Northwest Justice Project

Information about changing or modifying a child custody order.
full description

• What is a child custody modification?
• What can I ask for in a modification case?
• What is the difference between a "major" and a "minor" modification?
• How much will a modification cost?
• What if I cannot afford the filing fee?
• Will the court grant a request for modification automatically?
• How do I prove that a major modification is necessary?
• How do I prove that a minor modification is necessary?
• What if I don't want to change the order, but I am having other problems with the other parent or custodian?
• What if I don't have a final Parenting Plan for my child?
• Should I file a modification if I want to move with my children?
• Where can I find the law about modification?

Property Division and Alimony
http://www.nolo.com/resource.cfm/catID/101C121B-3F
Source: Nolo

Links to articles about property division and alimony after divorce. Includes information on property and debt division, searching for hidden assets after divorce, alternatives to monthly alimony payments, alimony record keeping, protecting home ownership rights, paying off credit card bills, tax debts and splitting up joint checking accounts, ending a durable power of attorney, filing for bankruptcy during divorce, changing the ownership of real property, returning ex's property and how ownership of a home will pass at death or divorce.
full description

• How will property and debts be divided at divorce?
• How do I find property that my spouse may be concealing from me?
• What are alternatives to monthly alimony payments?
• What records should I keep if I'm receiving alimony?
• How do I protect my home ownership rights after I get married?
• Who must pay credit card bills after a divorce?
• Who has to pay tax bills after a divorce?
• How do I take my ex's name off our joint checking account?
• How do I end a durable power of attorney?
• What can a prenuptial agreement do for me?
• Where can I find information on filing for bankruptcy during a divorce?
• How do I change ownership of real property?
• What if I have assumed legal responsibility for a former spouse's debt?
• How do I return my ex-spouse's property?
• Who will get the home after divorce or death?

Lesbian and Gay Couples
http://www.nolo.com/resource.cfm/catID/64C2C325-5D
Source: Nolo

Links to articles about laws important to lesbian and gay couples. Includes information on some of the key issues affecting same-sex couples, including marriage and domestic partnership laws, moving in together, parenting and property rights.
full description

• Where can I find a history of the laws on same-sex marriage?
• If it were legal, should I get married?
• What are the benefits of domestic partnerships?
• Can I get a domestic partnership in Washington?
• What if a landlord won't rent to me or tries to evict me become of my sexual orientation?
• Who owns what if we are not married?
• How can I ensure that my partner will be able to make medical and financial decisions for me if I am not able to?
• What are my rights as a lesbian or gay parent?
• What can I do if my adoption was not legally recognized?
• Can I claim my dependant partner on my tax return?
• Can I sponsor my gay lover for a green card?
• How do I attain guardianship to defeat a custody battle?
• How do I get fair visitation rights?
• How do I protect my visitation rights?

Spousal Liability for Federal and State Taxes
http://www.wsba.org/media/publications/barnews/arc
Source: Washington State Bar Association

An article by Martin Silver from the March 2000 issue of Bar News on the tax obligations of each partner in a marriage when a prenuptial contract is used.
full description

• Am I responsible for my partner's taxes if we signed a prenuptial contract?
• Can the government use my property to settle my partner's taxes if I signed a prenuptial contract?
• Should I sign a prenuptial contract?