PATERNITY ACTIONS - J. Michael Gallagher @ 20:00 PST
Neither parent has a greater right to a child born out of wedlock. However, by statute, fathers obtain their rights only after filing a legal action seeking establishment of paternity.

If you have split recently from the other parent of your child, it is to your advantage to file a legal action as soon as possible, to preserve to status quo of contact with the child.

IF YOU FIND YOURSELF IN THS SITUATION, DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL US FOR HELP.

Child Support Modifications - J. Michael Gallagher @ 19:56 PST
Often parents wait too long before asking the court to reduce their support obligations after losing employment. The court will modify support obligations, but only prospectively, not retroactively.

This means it is to your advantage to return to court on a MODIFICATION as soon as you lose your job.

A new support amount can be based on unemployment benefits.

It is also better to have a low paying job rather than no job when returning to court. At a minimum, the court wants to see reasonable efforts on your part to obtain replacement employment.

DON'T HESITATE TO CALL US IF YOU HAVE LOST YOUR JOB AND NEED A CHILD SUPPORT MODIFICATION.

Contempt for Denial of Residential Time - J. Michael Gallagher @ 19:51 PST
There is a recent case, Rideout v. Rideout, in which the Washington Supreme Court found a mother in contempt for not making sufficient efforts to facilitate the Parenting Plan. As primary parent, it was Ms. Rideout's obligation to see that the child visited the father. Leaving it up to the child, who was thirteen, was abusive. (October, 2003)

IF YOU HAVE BEEN DENIED YOUR HOLIDAY RESIDENTIAL TIME, DON'T HESITATE TO CALL US. WE WILL TAKE YOUR EX BACK TO COURT ON CONTEMPT. THE REMEDIES INCLUDE MAKEUP TIME AND ATTORNEY'S FEES.