Types of Restraining Orders.

There are three types of restraining orders that can typically occur in a family law action:   Anti-harassment (RCW 10.14), Domestic Violence (RCW 26.50); or civil restraints issued under the dissolution (RCW 26.09).

If there is a danger or physical harm or other irreparable harm, then you or your attorney can get an order good for up to 2 weeks without notice to the other side (based upon the possibility that the opposing party will commit the irreparable harm before the order prohibiting it can be issued on normal hearing times).  These “no notice” restraining orders are called “ex parte” orders, because you get to go to the court without the normal two-week notice to the other party, and without the other side having a chance to tell their side of the story before the emergency order is issued by the court.

Unfortunately, because these orders can allow the person making the allegations an opportunity to grab the children and the home without notice, they can be abused.  In which case you need to quickly gather your facts and bring a “motion to quash” the restraints.

Craig Mason will aggressively fight for you to get your facts to the court, whether you have legitimate concerns, or you have been abusively restrained.  Call him today to arrange for a free consultation at his Spokane office at (509) 443-3681.

Child Support Modifications

Child support orders can be an afterthought after a dissolution in which the parenting plan was the focus of the litigation.  Sometimes they can be unfair, and a party will seek to modify the child support order as soon as the law allows.  Other times, there can be a substantial change in the financial condition of one parent or the other, perhaps even immediately after the decree was entered.

In Washington, either parent can petition to modify child support at any time (even immediately after final orders in the dissolution) if there has been a substantial change in circumstances.  Otherwise, after a year, there is no need to show a substantial change in circumstances if the order is working a “severe hardship” on either party or the child, or if the child has moved into a new age category (or if post-secondary support – college support – is now requested).  After two years, either parent may modify the child support order simply due to changes in the incomes of either parent, or if the economic tables used to calculate support have changed.  (This type of change in child support may only be sought every two years, at the soonest.)

To negotiate the complexities of pursuing, or defending, a child support modification, contact Craig Mason of Mason Law in Spokane, WA at 509-443-3681.

Make your Halloween Plans!

Spooky Spokane: A Halloween Guide

 (Follow the link above for more information)

"It’s almost Halloween in Spokane. And whether you’re a grade-schooler hoping to score the best costume, a young adult looking for a raucous night out or a parent eager to see the magic through your child’s eyes, there’s reason to celebrate. Here’s a guide to this season’s festivities." 

- Visit Spokane

A Parenting Plan Agreeable to Both Parties.

What is the worst part of the divorce process?  Almost everyone would agree that it is making plans for the proper parenting of your minor children.  They are the innocents in this conflict and their needs should always be paramount.  If one parent or another fights for custody just because they think that they deserve to “win,” the losers will be the kids.

Here are some rules to live by when deciding on joint custody -

1.  It’s not all about you.  Be an adult and do what is best for the children.

2. Assess, honestly, your own schedule and the commitments that you have in your daily life, and do not try to take more time with the children in court orders than you actually have time to give them.

3.  Just because you don’t want to be with your spouse anymore doesn’t make him or her a bad parent.

4.  Keep the lines of communication open, and remember that your spouse is as stressed as you are.  Give each other room to make some mistakes without responding with aggression.

5.  Don’t speak poorly about your ex…to anyone in this cyber age...and never speak poorly of your former spouse in front of the children.

No one wants the boys and girls that you have been raising together to have any more angst than is inevitable, despite your best efforts.  For the proper representation in all matters of family law contact Craig Mason.  Attorney Mason is a strong, experienced child custody attorney in Spokane, WA.  Please call him for a consultation at his office at (509) 443-3681.

You vs. The Insurance Company.

So you are unfortunately the victim of an auto accident that was not your fault.  Now you have to go to battle with Goliath…the insurance companies of North America.  Where do you think they get all of that money for those TV commercials?  First of all, make sure that you call YOUR insurance agent as soon as you can.  It is important to understand exactly what your insurance covers. 

Whenever you talk to an insurance agent take careful notes, even record the conversations if possible.  Check to see if you have coverage with more than one insurance provider through your homeowner’s policy or from signing up for a credit card.  Keep receipts and careful records of any expenses that you incur from pursuing your rightful claim.

When dealing with the big boys with the deep pockets it is important to have a tenacious representative on your side.  That man is Spokane, WA car accident and family law attorney Craig Mason.  He will aggressively fight for get everything that you are entitled to.  Call him today to arrange for a free consultation at his Spokane office at (509) 443-3681.

Know your Attorney.

If you have NO preconceived notion of whom to hire to defend you in a personal injury or family law case wouldn’t it be nice to already KNOW your attorney.  In Spokane the choices are many and varied.  If you get improper representation in your P.I. or divorce case your world could be changed forever.  Know your Spokane attorney BEFORE you hire him!

Look at some of the reviews that have been bestowed on Craig Mason.  “Craig took a case that others said I would get crushed in…not only did we NOT get crushed…we won”.   Eight different Spokane area law firms passed on one of Craig’s clients, but HE took the medical malpractice case and triumphed over a battery of lawyers.  Yet another said “Craig got my children back under very hostile circumstances”.

These reviews are real and the results are “in the books”.  You need to know that the person and firm going into battle for you is a winner!  Trust Spokane personal injury and family law attorney Craig Mason to get you everything that you are entitled to.  Call him today to arrange for a consultation at his Spokane office at (509) 443-3681.

Relocation after Divorce.

Even if you have had a custody arrangement that has worked for years, it is possible that the parent with primary placement has a job opportunity, or a re-marriage opportunity, that is just too good to pass up.  If you are going to move with the child, you must provide a Notice of Relocation to the other parent, and if you learn that the other parent is going to move, and you oppose the move, you must file an Objection to Relocation. 

Washington courts presume that they will allow the parent with the child the majority of the time (“primary placement”) to move with the child, unless the relocation can be “rebutted” by showing harm to the child from the move. Any objection must “rebut” the presumption that the parent can move on the basis of statutory factors that address the harm to the child from removing the child from an established environment and from established relationships.

Such a life-altering step for you and your minor child needs careful thought and superb representation.  There are many and varied statutory factors that the court must consider before making such a ruling. 

For many years, Craig Mason has been representing parents in litigating the factors to allow, or to prevent, a relocation of the children. Go into court with veteran Spokane child relocation attorney Craig Mason.  Call him today at (509) 443-3681.