Recent News

I have a Protection Order in Place Against my Former Partner, Must I Still Participate in ADR?

Washington State Divorce & Family Law Lawyer Mackenzie O. Bretz | 1/11/2023
Protection Order There are a few different types of protection order which can be entered for different reasons. Domestic Violence Protection Order Stalking Protection Order Anti-Harassment Protection Order Sexual Assault Protection Order Vulnerable Adult Protection Order What is ADR? ADR stands for Alternative Dispute Resolution, this can include mediation, arbitration, or a volunteer settlement conference.… Read More

Coming to Beresford Booth in 2023: Collaborative Divorce!

The Lawyers at Beresford Booth | 12/21/2022
Attorneys with Beresford Booth recently completed comprehensive training on Collaborative Divorce and will be offering this option to their clients beginning in 2023. What is Collaborative Divorce? – The Facts Collaborative Divorce is NOT what you think it is. It is not divorcing people trying to work together, although that is part of it. It… Read More

The House Passes Respect for Marriage Act

Washington State Family Law Lawyer Anne B. Bennette | 12/8/2022
On December 8, 2022, the House passed the Respect for Marriage Act, which protects same-sex and interracial marriages at the federal level.  Following the Supreme Court’s decision earlier this year to overturn Roe v. Wade, many interracial couples were concerned that Loving v. Virginia could similarly be overturned.   Same-sex couples were concerned that the rights… Read More

Fundamental Right to Parent

The Lawyers at Beresford Booth | 9/28/2022
It may seem obvious, but many people do not realize that parenting is a fundamental right under the United States and Washington State Constitutions. One area that the fundamental right to parent can play out is in protection order hearings that involve children. If a parent applies for a protective order preventing the other parent… Read More

Out of State Child Support Orders

Washington State Family Law Lawyer Anne B. Bennette | 9/7/2022
A Child Support Order entered in another state is referred to as a “Foreign Support Order.”  In Washington, enforcement of such foreign orders must be done in accordance with the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (codified in RCW 26.21).  Enforcement is a remedy asking the Court to compel a party to abide by the terms… Read More

Due Process Rights to Parent Children – Perpetrators of Sexual Assault

The Lawyers at Beresford Booth | 8/3/2022
Recently, the Washington State Court of Appeals released an opinion on whether a parent has a constitutional due process right to parent a child born as a result of their sexual assault. In this post, I will elaborate upon the case and the court’s holding. In the Matter of the Parentage of: R.V. – The… Read More

New Washington State Civil Protection Orders Statute

The Lawyers at Beresford Booth | 7/6/2022
Major provisions of RCW 7.105, Washington’s new protection order statute, became effective July 1, 2022. The statute combines all current types of restraining orders under one statute, with the intent of increasing the accessibility, efficiency, and effectiveness of protection orders. Under the statute, domestic violence protection orders (DVPO), sexual assault protection orders (SAPO), stalking protection… Read More