Divorce: Can split up be fun? | Bellevue divorce attorney

Interesting article about a recent divorce fair in London where divorce lawyers, counselors, lifestyle coaches and even astrologists get together with the idea of making the divorce process a little easier.

The fair, called the "Starting Over Show" took place at a cozy hotel in the seaside resort town of Brighton, England.  The objective of the event was to focus on the positive, starting with a warming cup of tea and a chunk of homemade cake.  Live music, play areas for children, and other exhibitors offering everything from psychics healing minds and bodies, chocolate, art appreciation vacations, debt counselors and mediators.

Perhaps people going through a divorce could benefit from the positive environment, help and support from such a fair just like those who go to wedding fairs to find out things they need to know about tying the knot.   But it remains to be seen whether such an event will catch on here in the states.

This information was provided by the Andrew Kim Law Firm, PLLC located in Bellevue, Washington.  We offer compassionate legal services to those going through a difficult time in their lives whether in a divorce, child custody dispute, child support, parenting plan, or issues of domestic violence.

Call us at (425) 289-1990 to talk about your case.  The initial phone consultation is free.

Child visitation by Skype | Bellevue child custody lawyer

Child visitation and Skype.  You may have heard of this tool available on the web called Skype, free phone and video services through the computer.  Well, the Journal of Law and Family Studies reported that a handful of states have adopted “virtual visitation” laws, authorizing judges to include e-mail, instant messaging, Web cams and other evolving tools of the internet to keep non-custodial parents in touch with their children. 

Utah and four other states have adopted such statutes, and seven more have legislation awaiting approval.  The Utah law came about when Michael Gough, the divorced father of a 4-year-old, set up an in-courtroom demonstration of Skype, the Internet-based video phone service, and asked the judge to require his ex-wife to allow him to use it to speak with his child.

Gough said, “Before starting virtual visitation, when I spoke with my four-and-a-half-year-old daughter, our telephone calls lasted only an average of 5 minutes. Now, during video calls, they last an average of 15 minutes and have gone on for as long as 45 minutes.”

Australian family courts have signed on to the trend and have used Skype in other ways such as video court appearance by the parties.  Technology is here to stay and the availability of Skype as a tool to keep distant parents in touch with their children is probably a benefit to the parent/child relationship when in person visits are not possible.

The Andrew Kim Law Firm, PLLC has offices in Bellevue and Tacoma, Washington.  Please call a Bellevue child visitation attorney to discuss your child custody issue today.  Our toll free phone number is 1-800-636-3676.

Child support modifications increase with recession | Bellevue child support attorney

The recession is forcing divorced parents back to court to adjust or modify their child support obligations.  House values have declined, one parent may have been laid off from work, or day care costs and insurance increase, all of which have  increased a backlog in the family court calendars.

In this Star Tribune news article, Minnesota State courts spokesman John Kostouros said 5,380 parents filed for child support adjustments in the first quarter of 2009, up from 4,912 during the same period a year ago.  Nationally, the American Academy of Matrimonial lawyers has reported that 39 percent of the nation's top divorce attorneys cite an increase in modifications being made to child support payments.

Bellevue divorce and family law attorney launches new web site

This is the first in a series of future blogs that will be written about current divorce and family law issues in the State of Washington and elsewhere.  The Andrew Kim Law Firm, PLLC with offices in Bellevue and Tacoma is dedicated to providing the highest quality legal advice and representation in divorce and family law matters.

The design and content of this new web site will assist you in finding helpful information to answer your questions.  If you have further questions, please call us at (425) 289-1990 in Bellevue and (253) 682-2000 in Tacoma.