Although state courts have mostly abandoned the maternal presumption that used to award children to their mothers in a divorce or separation, fathers may still fear they will not receive fair treatment regarding child custody and support. Both parents, regardless of their gender, deserve to have a role in their children’s lives, and children should not have to be exposed to or face the consequences of their parents’ disagreements.
A Tacoma father’s rights lawyer could help you retain your parental rights during a contentious divorce. At Lutz & Associates, P.S., our dedicated family law attorneys could take you through the divorce process and work to get your desired outcome. Whenever possible, we avoid litigation and try to negotiate an amicable settlement, but if necessary, we could take your case to court to seek the fairest agreement available that protects your children and your rights.
How Do Our Attorneys Protect Fathers’ Rights?
In Pierce County courts, judges must consider the best interests of the child when making orders for visitation and child support, and your lifestyle can potentially affect this outcome. According to Pew Research, unemployed men are more likely to get divorced than those in employment. There could be many reasons for this, but your employment status should not affect your ability to spend time with your children.
Instead of the maternal presumption, the state now follows the legal presumption of parentage under the Revised Code of Washington § 26.26A.115, which establishes a person as a legal parent based on marital status, domestic partnership, or household residence rather than biology alone. Although there is no longer a maternal presumption, courts may still unconsciously favor the mother when making decisions about children. Having an attorney who can keep the judge focused on a parent’s right to see their child helps maintain fairness for both sides and ensure unfair judgment does not weigh heavily on the final outcome.
During amicable divorces, parents work together to develop custody agreements that benefit both the child and the parents. In contentious divorces, one parent may use the other parent’s unemployment as grounds for limited visitation. Our Tacoma attorneys could protect your custody rights as a father, returning the focus of the visitation to where it belongs—on your right to spend time with your child.
What Are the Best Interests of the Child?
Pierce County judges and judges across the state follow a standard that prioritizes the best interests of the child when making rulings on child custody and child support. This standard is complex and may consider several factors, including:
- The stability of the child’s home and school life
- Parental cooperation and how well the parents can support the child’s relationship with the other parent
- The child’s emotional and physical needs at different ages, given that an infant has different needs than a teenager
- Safety concerns within the home, particularly if there is any history of domestic abuse, neglect, or substance abuse
Judges prefer to grant parents a 50/50 visitation agreement, if possible and when appropriate. Our Tacoma paternal rights attorneys could help develop a custody arrangement that suits both parties.
At Lutz & Associates, P.S., we could work toward an amicable agreement with you and your ex-spouse to reach an arrangement that satisfies everyone. We have decades of experience in family law, working in the field since 1997, meaning we know the strategy and compassion it takes to handle matters involving children. Our veteran-owned firm means we also have the knowledge to navigate the more complex factors that come with divorce and child custody for military families. If you are a service member or your co-parent is, do not hesitate to reach out for help from our skilled local team.
Speak With Our Father’s Rights Attorneys in Tacoma Today
At Lutz & Associates, P.S., our attorneys have extensive experience protecting paternal rights. Unlike many law firms, we focus exclusively on family law. This allows us to give our full attention to our clients’ needs in the area of divorce, child custody, and spousal support. We prioritize consistent communication and conflict resolution whenever possible so an already contentious situation does not become overwhelmingly stressful.
If you are going through a divorce or legal separation and need a Tacoma father’s rights lawyer, we can give you the assistance you need. Divorce involves more than child custody and visitation, and even property division could affect your eventual parental rights. If you are facing divorce or custody issues, we would love to speak with you. Contact us today at (253) 544-3635 or reach us online through our contact form.
