MOGREN, GLESSNER & ROTI, P.S.

Attorneys at Law

             Please call 425-255-4542 to talk to a lawyer now.            

EXPECTED BEHAVIOR FOR DIVORCED PARENTS CONCERNING CHILDREN

• If you love your children, avoid involving them in your dissolution or custody disputes. The information below is something that everyone should follow, no matter how angry or upset they are toward their former partner.

• Do not poison your child's mind against the other parent by discussing his or her shortcomings. Continuing anger or bitterness toward your former partner can injure your children far more than the dissolution itself. The feelings you show are more important than the words that you use. NEVER engage in conflict with your spouse or former spouse in the presence of your children. Conflict between the two of you hurts your children.

• Assure your children they are not to blame for the breakup, and they are not being rejected or abandoned. Children, especially young ones, may feel that some action or secret wish of theirs has caused the trouble between their parents.

• Do not force or encourage your child to take sides. To do so often hurts the children by creating frustration, guilt, and resentment.

• The break up of a marriage is always hard on the children. They may not always show their distress or realize at first what divorce will mean to them. Parents should be direct and honest in telling children what is happening and why, and do so in a way a child can understand. This will vary with the circumstances and with each child's age and comprehension.

• The guilt parents may feel about the marriage break up may interfere in their disciplining the children. A child needs consistent control and direction. Over-permissiveness or indecisive parents who leave a child at the mercy of every passing whim and impulse interfere with a child's healthy development. Children need and want to know quite clearly what is expected of them. Children feel more secure when limits are set. They are confused when grown-ups seem to permit behavior which they themselves know to be wrong and are trying to outgrow.

• Encourage the children to spend time with the other parent. Your spouse divorced you, not your children. The children should have and be allowed to display photos of both parents.

• Time with the children by the non-residential parent is for the benefit and better development of the children. No matter what the difference of feeling or opinion between the parents, physical custody or visitation should never be withheld or threatened to be withheld. Failure to receive child support is NOT grounds for withholding the children from the non-paying parent and is specifically prohibited under RCW 26.09.160(1).

• The parent with whom the children live must prepare the children both physically and mentally for the residential time or visitation with the other parent. The children should be available at the time mutually agreed upon, or the time specified in the Parenting Plan or the most recent court order relating to physical custody.

• Never refuse an opportunity to see or spend time with your children. You demonstrate your commitment to your children by being available to them, even if you are inconvenienced. Take the time and make the effort to show your children that they are a high priority in your life.

• Your former spouse is entitled to make his or her personal plans during his or her time with the children. Do not interfere by failing to abide by the terms of the residential arrangements. Be on time. Return the children on time.

• Do not fail to notify your former spouse and your children as soon as possible if you are unable to keep your arranged times. It is unfair to your children to keep them waiting -- and worse to disappoint them by not coming at all.

• Make your time with the children as pleasant as possible by NOT questioning them regarding the activities of your former spouse and by NOT making extravagant promises which you cannot, or will not, keep.

• Never miss an important date -- Christmas, birthday, graduation, etc. If you cannot be there, call or write.

• If your former spouse has plans for the children that conflict with yours, be adults and work out the problem together. Consider the children's wishes, but do not ask them to take sides.

• Do not expose your children to any immoral conduct between you and any person with whom you may be emotionally involved.

• Do not use your pick up and return of the children as a means to continue arguments with your former spouse. You are the role models for your children. Conduct yourselves accordingly.

• Do not be in the presence of the children if you are intoxicated. Do not visit your children at unreasonable hours.

• Under no circumstances shall the issue of maintenance or child support payments be raised in the presence of your children.

• Be prompt in paying child support as ordered. You will not be credited with presents, clothes, etc., as part of your child support payment. Withholding of residential time is NOT grounds for withholding child support and is specifically prohibited under RCW 26.09.160(1).

• Think first of your children's present and future emotional and mental well-being before acting. This will be difficult because of your own feelings, needs and emotions, but try, try, try.

The free information contained in these pages is not intended to be legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. You should always consult with an attorney before taking any action. Feel free to contact an attorney at MOGREN, GLESSNER & ROTI, P.S. at 425-255-4542 to schedule an appointment and discuss these issues with you.

Site Map

   

  MOGREN, GLESSNER & ROTI, Renton, Washington, 98057  Phone: (425) 255-4542

Our law firm consists of four lawyers practicing in our Renton, King County, WA law office (easily accessible to the greater Seattle area), so you can find an attorney / lawyer who is a good fit for you.  Our experienced trial lawyers are knowledgeable and aggressive in protecting your legal rights under the Washington state marriage and divorce laws. We use our knowledge and experience to obtain the best help and results for our clients. Our emphasis is in Washington family law, divorce (contested and uncontested), simple wills and estate planning documents, probate, and personal injury.  Please click on the Helpful Legal Information button for free information and details about these areas of practice in the state of Washington, including divorce, family law, legal separation, property division, child support, spousal maintenance, parenting plan, custody, visitation, custody relocation, child support modification, custody modification, maintenance modification, parenting plan modification, contempt, third party custody, restraining order, domestic  violence, Social Security Benefits, paternity, adoption, wills, Washington Community Property Agreement, Durable Power of Attorney, living will, probate and personal injury legal rights.

Our law firm is conveniently located in Renton, King County, WA, just off the freeway at the intersection of I-405 and I-167, easily accessible from Seattle and Bellevue Washington. Our four family law and divorce attorneys represent clients in the greater Seattle area and throughout the State of Washington, including the communities of Renton, Kent, Tukwila, Seattle, Bellevue, Mercer Island, Issaquah, Fairwood, Cascade, Newcastle, Normandy Park, Auburn, Maple Valley, Black Diamond, Skyway, Federal Way, Des Moines, Kent Meridian, Burien, SeaTac, Factoria, Covington, Medina, Fox Island, Gig Harbor, North Bend, Snoqualmie, Sammamish, Seahurst, Enumclaw and most of south King County. Call 425-255-4542 for a free telephone consultation with an experienced family law and divorce attorney / lawyer. Our attorneys represent both men and women in divorce and the drafting of simple wills, and are members of the Christian Legal Society. Our lawyers offer affordable rates (reasonably priced) for uncontested divorce.

The free information and help contained in these pages is not intended to be legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. You should always consult with a lawyer before taking any legal action. Feel free to call us at 425-255-4542 for a free telephone consultation with a family law lawyer for help regarding your marriage, divorce (contested or uncontested), custody, property division, child support and maintenance, adoption, will, estate plan or probate. We offer inexpensive (cheap) discount package deals and for our wills, simple will and estate planning documents. We offer a Christian perspective in our practice, yet are aggressive in protecting your rights.  Our attorneys are licensed to practice only in the State of Washington, and are easily accessible to the greater Seattle area.

Serving both male and female clients in the Seattle, King County, WA area, including the communities of Kent, Renton, Tukwila, Southcenter, Seattle, Auburn, Bellevue, Mercer Island, Federal Way, Maple Valley, Des Moines, SeaTac, Burien, Fairwood, Cascade, Covington, Newcastle, Normandy Park, Issaquah, Factoria, Algona, Covington, Fall City, Hobart, Medina, North Bend, Pacific, Buckley, Highline, Wilkeson, Newport Hills, Clyde Hill, Coal Creek, Fox Island, Gig Harbor, White Center, Boulevard Park, Rainier Beach, Rainier Valley, Bryn Mawr, Redondo, Covington, Cougar Mountain, Preston, Ravensdale, Kanaskat, Palmer, Cumberland, Redondo, Midway, Georgetown, Riverton Heights, McMicken Heights, Eastgate, Kennydale, Medina, Overlake, Boeing, Microsoft, Paccar, Kenworth, East Renton Highlands, Preston, Kent East Hill, Lake Meridian, Green River, Star Lake, Lake Sawyer, Duwamish, Seward Park, Columbia City, Georgetown, Holly Park, Sodo, Sammamish, Seahurst, Snoqualmie, Soos Creek, Emerald Downs, Muckleshoot, Twin Lakes, Skyway, Bellevue, Enumclaw and most of south King County, WA. This includes zip codes of 98055, 98056, 98057, 98058, 98030, 98031, 98032 98042, 98038, 98040, 98045, 98168, and 98188, and area codes of 206, 253, and 425, .  We represent clients from Boeing, Microsoft, Starbucks, Costco, Weyerhaeuser, Valley Medical Center, various hospitals and insurance companies, T-Mobile, and many other employers.  We serve clients of all nationalities and ethnicities, including African American, Native American, Asian, Hispanic, Latino, Caucasian, black, Indian, Korean, Japanese, Russian, Ethiopian, Italian, Vietnamese, Pacific Islander, Philippine, Irish, English, German, and Chinese.  We receive clients of all faiths and religions, including Christian, Islam, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Judaism, New Age, Scientology, Mormon, LDS Catholic, Protestant, Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Foursquare, Evangelical, Assembly of God, Jehovah Witness, Episcopal, Foursquare, Lutheran, Bible, Pentecostal, Orthodox, Adventist, Unitarian, atheist, secularist, and agnostic. We also represent clients who are members of labor unions (Teamsters, AFL-CIO, Teachers Union, NEA), unemployed or stay-at-home parents, members of service organizations (Kiwanis, Masons, Rotary, Shriners, AARP, etc), Democrat and Republican, veterans and military personnel.  Please call to talk to an affordable (inexpensive) Washington state family law attorney / lawyer for help about your divorce (contested or uncontested), complex property division, simple wills, probate or other legal issue.

For other external web sites regarding our firm, please visit Martindale & Hubble, AVVO, MoreLaw, MoneySmartz, Einet, Hotfrog, Cylex.