Renton Family Law Lawyer Peter Mogren

I thought I would take this opportunity to tell you something about myself. I joined our law firm in 1980, became a partner in 1985, and became managing partner in 1987. My practice is primarily focused on Family Law (divorce, custody, support, modification, relocation, property division, parenting plans, parentage, etc.), Estate Planning (Wills, Community Property Agreements, Durable Power of Attorneys, etc.), and Probate.

I was born in Seattle, Washington, in May, 1955, and was raised here my entire life. As a child I was on the local J.P. Patches, Stan Boreson, and Captain Puget television shows. I received my B.A. in Business Administration and Accounting from Seattle Pacific University in 1977. I then received my J.D. from the University of Oregon (Go Ducks!) in 1980.

I was admitted to the Washington State Bar Association in 1981, and also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington. I am a member of the Seattle-King County, South King County and Washington State Bar Associations. I am also a member of the Christian Legal Society.

I am married and have 2 children in college. I enjoy running (5K's), skiing (both water and snow) and working with my church youth group (I lead a small group of Senior High School guys every week).

The Renton law firm of Mogren, Glessner & Roti, represents clients in a variety of family law cases, estate planning and probate. Please visit our web page at http://www.mgrlaw.com/ for more information.

Changes to Washington Child Support Law

Governor Gregoire just signed a new law changing how we calculate Child Support in the State of Washington. This is the first update to the Child Support Schedules in years. The new changes will go into effect October 1, 2009.

Some of the changes to the child support calculations are as follows:

• The Child Support Schedules start at combined net income of $1,000 instead of $600.


• The Child Support Schedules continue to a combined net income of $12,000, instead of stopping at $5,000 (presumtive) and $7,000 (advisory).
• Some overtime and 2nd job income can be excluded from income.
• The deduction for retirement contributions from gross income is increased from $2,000 to $5,000 per year.
• The method of determining income to be imputed to a parent when records are lacking has been expanded in a heirarchy.
• Health care costs (to be shared) have been defined.
• The minimum support payment has been increased from $25 per child per month to $50 per child per month.

This could have a significant effect on many Child Support Orders, increasing the amounts that will be due in the State of Washington. If you would like to have your child support order reviewed to determine the amount of child support under the new laws, please call our office.

The Renton law firm of Mogren, Glessner & Roti, represents clients in a variety of family law cases, including the determination of Child Support and Child Support Modification actions. Please visit our web page at http://www.mgrlaw.com/ for more information.

Washington Adoptions

Adoptions are an important legal process of terminating the biological parent's legal rights and responsibilities, and establishing them for the new adoptive parents. Because there are significant legal and constitutional rights involved, it is important that the process is done correctly. We strongly advise you to have legal representation through this entire process. At our firm, we do many adoptions (full, step-parent, DSHS, etc.) and can make sure they are done completely and efficiently (saving you time, concerns and money).

The Renton law firm of Mogren, Glessner & Roti, represents clients in a variety of family law cases, including adoptions. Please visit our web page at http://www.mgrlaw.com/ for more information.

Christian Lawyers, Washington

All of the lawyers at Mogren, Glessner & Roti are active and professing Christians. Our faith in Jesus Christ affects who we are and how we practice law. Whether it is estate planning, probate, family law, adoptions, or personal injury, what we believe has an impact on how we see the world we live in and how we relate to the clients we come in contact with.

We represent clients of many faiths and beliefs, but because of our christian values, we strive to treat all clients with respect and dignity. Without compromising our client's positions, we strive to do the same with opposing parities and attorneys. We try to practice with the highest of ethics.

Please call visit our web page at http://www.mgrlaw.com/ to get additional information, or call us at 425-255-4542 to schedule an appointment.

Renton Attorney, Ronald Glessner

Ronald E. Glessner has been a part of our firm since 1981. He became a partner in 1985. Ron's practice includes personal injury, family law, wills and probate, and criminal misdemeanor.

Ron was born in Aberdeen, Washington, in January 1947. Ron graduated from Warner Pacific College with a B.S. in 1970. He became an ecologist with the Environmental Protection Agency from 1972 to 1978. During this time he did graduate work in environmental studies at Oregon State University. He then got his J.D. from the University of South Dakota in 1981.

Ron was admitted to the Washington State Bar in 1981 and also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington. Ron is a member of the Christian Legal Society, Seattle-King County and Washington State Bar Associations; and Washington State Trial Lawyers Association. Ron's hobbies include skiing, boating and most sports.

The Renton law firm of Mogren, Glessner & Roti, represents clients in a variety of family law cases, estate planning and probate. We have four attorneys to assist you in your legal needs. Please visit our web page at http://www.mgrlaw.com/ for more information.

When to Change Your Washington Will

Clients often ask us when it is appropriate to make a change in the provisions of their wills. The following is a brief listing of when you might want to make a change to your will.

1. Marriage: A new, post-will spouse can take a share of the estate if not mentioned in the will.

2. Separation: If a person dies while separated from their spouse, their separated spouse will still receive their share of the estate under the old will, or their intestate share if there is no will. To avoid this, a new will would need to be prepared disinheriting the separated spouse.

3. Divorce: The will is revoked as to a divorced spouse, so former provisions for the spouse may pass as residue or by intestacy.

4. Death of Spouse: Major tax consequences to estate plan of family may require revision of the plan.

5. Birth of New Child: Failure to name or provide for all children entitles omitted child to take an intestate share of the estate. One can disinherit children, but this must be specifically stated.

6. Change in Personal Representative: You may want or need to change the executor, trustee or guardian named in your will. The named person may be too old to serve or no longer be close to the family.

7. Change in Financial Condition: You may want to give more or less wealth to more, different, or fewer people, and review and revamp your tax strategy.

8. Change in Law: The laws may change and you can change your estate plan to make the law your friend rather than your adversary.

The above list gives several reasons for changing your will. We recommend that your review your will and estate plan annually, to see if the provisions you made are still applicable.

Our firm offers estate planning documents like Wills, Community Property Agreements and Power of Attorneys. Please visit our web page at http://www.mgrlaw.com/ for more information, or call us at 4252-255-4542 to schedule an appointment.

Renton Attorney, Ruth A. Roti

Ruth Roti has been a part of our firm since 1990. She became a partner in 1992.

Ruth was born in Renton, Washington. Ruth graduated from Central Washington University in 1972, the Edmonds Community College Paralegal Program in 1977, and got her J.D. from the University of Puget Sound in 1989. Ruth worked as a paralegal at Abbott & Curtis from 1977 to 1987 before going to law school.

Ruth's practice is emphasized in the area of wills and probate, adoption, and family law. Her hobbies center around gardening and enjoying her family and grandchildren. She also enjoys hiking and biking.

The Renton law firm of Mogren, Glessner & Roti, represents clients in a variety of family law cases, estate planning and probate. We have four attorneys to assist you in your legal needs. Please visit our web page at http://www.mgrlaw.com/ for more information.

Newborn (Off Topic)

As a proud father, I just wanted to share with you a drawing my daughter made, called "Newborn". She entered it in the SeaTac Youth Art Exhibit and was one of the winners. She plans to continue and major in art in college next year.

Paternity Declaration in Washington

Did you know that paternity (parentage) can be determined by the signing of a Paternity Declaration? If you sign one (typically at the hospital at birth, but it could be at any time), after 60 days, it can have the same force and effect as a Court Order determining Parentage. This can save a substantial amount of time and money should you need to establish your legal rights. You can skip the entire legal process of establishing parentage (since it has already been done), and all you have to do is file a Petition for Parenting Plan and Child Support. With this, the court is just interested in establishing a Parenting Plan, defining both parents rights and responsiblities of the child, and setting our child support for the child.

The Renton law firm of Mogren, Glessner & Roti, represents clients in a variety of family law cases, including parentage actions. Please visit our web page at http://mgrlaw.com/attorneys/testimonials.html for more information.

Welcome Seattle Attorney Cynthia Stewart

We would like to introduce you to our new attorney, Cynthia D. Stewart. Cindy was raised in Kent, Washington. She got her BA from Central Washington University in 1997 and her J.D. from Regent University in Virginia in 2000. She has experience in management and accounting. Her hobbies include her dogs, the outdoors and reading.

Cindy joined us in August 2008 and has been with us for about 9 months. She is focusing her practice at this time on family law and wills and probate.

The Renton law firm of Mogren, Glessner & Roti, represents clients in a variety of family law cases, estate planning and probate. We have four attorneys to assist you in your legal needs. Please visit our web page at http://www.mgrlaw.com/ for more information.