Power of Attorney for Adult Children

Do you have a Power of Attorney for your adult children?  Do you realize the possible need for one and the potential consequence of not having one?

A Power of Attorney is a document that allows another person to make decisions and sign documents on your behalf.  These are important documents in estate planning.  Typically a husband and wife will grant one to the other, to take effect in the event of a disability or incompetency.  If the spouse becomes incompetent, then the Power of Attorney takes effect and you do not need to go to court to get a Guardianship set up (saving time and money).

What if you have adult (over age 18) children, who are not married?  If they do not have a Power of Attorney, and become incompetent (as a result of an illness or injury), then it may be necessary to go through the expense of a guardianship to legally care for them.  They are no longer minors that you have the legal authority over.  This becomes relevant as they graduate from high school or enter life on their own.

I would strongly suggest talking with your adult children about them giving a Power of Attorney to you or someone they trust, to make decisions and care for them if they become incapacitated.

The Renton law firm of Mogren, Glessner & Roti, represents clients in a variety of family law cases, both contested and uncontested. We have 4 attorneys for you to chose from. Please visit our web page at Renton Divorce Attorneys for more information.

Seattle Divorce Attorney

Mogren, Glessner & Roit, P.S., is a law firm located in the south Seattle area (Renton) of Washington. We offer services in the area of family law, including declaration of invalidity, legal separation, dissolution of marriage, and modifications of various final orders (child support, spousal maintenance and parenting plans). If you live in the greater Seattle area, and need an experienced family law attorney, please call us at 425-255-4542 and talk to one of our attorneys.

Page Limits in King County Family Law Motions

http://mgrlaw.com

Are your aware that there are limits to the number of pages you can file in a motion for a family law hearing in King County, Washington? Well there is, and it has been in effect for a couple years. The reason for this is that the court has to read the paperwork for numerous hearings, and the volume of reading was becoming burdensome.

The moving party is limited to a total of 25 pages, and that applies to the total of the documents submitted, including any reply (so don't use up all your pages initially, save some for reply). The responding party is limited to a total of 20 pages. In counting the pages, you do not include any Exhibits, the Financial Declaration, or any expert reports or evaluations. If you submit more pages than allowed, you risk the court stop reading anything beyond the page limit, the court continuing the hearing and making you submit documents within the page limits, or other sanctions by the court.

The Renton law firm of Mogren, Glessner & Roti, represents clients in a variety of family law cases, both contested and uncontested. We have 4 attorneys for you to chose from. Please visit our web page at King County Divorce Procedure for more information.

Uncontested Divorce in Washington

The phrase "uncontested divorce" does not have any legal significance in Washington, it is merely the description of a dissolution action that is not being contested by the other side. There are basically two ways of achieving it. One is by the agreement of the parties up front. Both parties sign the Petitioner for Dissolution or a Joinder, indicating that they are in agreement (and therefore it is not being contested by the other party). While the parties are waiting for the mandatory 90 day waiting period before the decree can be entered, the responding party could change there mind, and then it can become contested. To avoid this from happening, the parties can enter into a Property Settlement Agreement, binding them to the terms that they have agreed upon.

The second way to achieve an uncontested divorce, is to file a Petition and serve it on the other party. If they fail to file a Response or respond in any way, an Order of Default can be entered against them, and then the Decree itself, according to the terms of the Petition that was filed.

The Renton law firm of Mogren, Glessner & Roti, represents clients in a variety of family law cases, including uncontested divorces and legal separations. We have 4 attorneys for you to chose from. Please visit our web page at Renton Divorce Site Map for more information.

Discovery in Washington Divorces

On the procedural level, a divorce entails a number of distinct phases over a period of time. One of the most important phases is known as discovery.

At its core, discovery is about revealing details relevant to a particular case. It involves the legal representatives of either party seeking information from the other side, under the penalty of perjury if these facts are withheld or falsified.

Common Discovery Methods

Attorneys go about obtaining evidence for a case (“conducting discovery”) in a number of distinct ways. Some of the more common approaches include:

• Interrogatories - A list of broad questions about the case, such as information regarding employment, assets, debts, care of children, living expenses, and other issues of the marriage. This is a procedure requiring the other party to answer the questions in writing.


• Request for Production of Documents - Apart from the information found in answers to interrogatories, divorce cases are designed to encompass a broad range of potential pieces of evidence, including deeds, bank statements, tax returns, bills, pay stubs, receipts, etc. This is a procedure to have the other side provide the requested documents that are in their possession and control.


• Request for Admissions - Basically a safety-net designed to ensure accuracy of information, a request for admissions seeks to have the other side admit or deny a specific allegation.


• Depositions - Probably the most direct and immediate of discovery procedures, a deposition works much like a testimony on the stand, with the legal counsel of one party putting questions to a witness under oath.


• Subpoena – This is a procedure demanding that a third party provide relevant documents in their possession. An example would be bank statements or canceled checks from a bank, or income or pension information from an employer.

The Renton law firm of Mogren, Glessner & Roti, represents clients in a variety of family law cases, including Declaration of Invalidity (annulment). We have 4 attorneys for you to chose from. Please visit our web page at http://www.mgrlaw.com/ for more information.

Difference Between Divorce and Annulment

There are two legal ways to end a marriage in the State of Washington. The first way, the Dissolution of Marriage (frequently called divorce), is the ending of a valid marriage through a process that restores the parties' single status and gives them the ability to remarry. The second way, Declaration of Invalidity (frequently called an annulment), completely erases the marriage as if it never existed at all.

While a divorce recognizes that a marriage did exist, a Declaration of Invalidity (annulment)legally declares that the marriage never technically existed and was never valid. Annulments, like divorces, can be initiated by either the husband or the wife. The party that initiates the annulment must be able to prove whatever grounds he or she alleges. Divorce, however, does not require proof of whatever grounds for the divorce are alleged. Such things as "irreconcilable differences" do not require that the parties show exactly what the differences that can't be resolved are.

For a Declaration of Invalidity (annulments), the following are the legal basis under RCW 26.09.040 for declaring that the marriage is invalid and should be erased:

• the age of one or both parties


• lack of parental or court approval


• a prior undissolved marriage of one or both parties


• reasons of consanguinity (closely related by blood)


• a party lacked the capacity to consent to marriage because of mental incapacity, influence of alcohol or other incapacitating substance


• a party was induced into entering into marriage by force, or duress, or by fraud involving the essentials of marriage

• Additionally, the court must find that the parties have not ratified the marriage by voluntarily cohabiting after attaining the age of consent, or obtaining the capacity to consent, or after cessation of the force or duress or discovery of the fraud

Just like in a divorce, once that is determined that the marriage is invalid, other related issues must be resolved. The assets and debts must be divided, custody of any children must be determined, child support and spousal maintenance, restraining orders, attorney fees, and other appropriate issues.

The Renton law firm of Mogren, Glessner & Roti, represents clients in a variety of family law cases, including Declaration of Invalidity (annulment). We have 4 attorneys for you to chose from. Please visit our web page at http://www.mgrlaw.com/ for more information.

Pet Custody Disputes in Washington

In many divorce or legal separation settlements, the most complicated matters to resolve are child custody arrangements and the division of the couple's assets. In recent years, however, more and more couples have found themselves caught in a legal battle somewhere between the two: custody disputes over pets. Under Washington law, a pet is considered just another piece of property, but many pet owners see their favorite animals as much more than that.

Contrary to popular belief, many animals do not see their human caregivers as interchangeable sources of food and shelter. Dogs, cats, and other animals do have different relationships with different people, including varying levels of closeness and willingness to obey. In other words, it does matter which person a pet ends up living with after a separation. Unfortunately, the law has not been updated to reflect this reality. Many family law judges are unfamiliar with animal behavioral issues, and may not take pet custody disputes seriously. As a result, most divorcing couples with pets are left to settle the matter between themselves.

Some couples agree on a joint custody arrangement; perhaps the pet will alternate homes each week or so, or perhaps one owner will have custody on the weekends. Unfortunately, many pets find this amount of moving around very stressful. The matter can be further complicated if one owner moves out of state or suddenly refuses to let the former spouse visit the pet.

The Renton law firm of Mogren, Glessner & Roti, represents clients in a variety of family law cases, including property division and pets. We have 4 attorneys for you to chose from. Please visit our web page at http://www.mgrlaw.com/ for more information.

Motion to Adjust Child Support in Washington

Separate and distinct from a Petition to Modify an Order of Child Support, either party may file a Motion to Adjust Child Support. The substantive and procedural laws are different in a Motion to Adjust.

In a Motion to Adjust Child Support, the court is limited in what it can do. It cannot modify any and all provisions in the Order of Child Support. Primarily, all the court can do is adjust the amount of the transfer payment. The court does not have the jurisdiction to change other provisions like who gets the tax exemptions. This would take a Petition to Modify the Order of Child Support.

Under Statute, RCW 26.09.170, a person can adjust child support under 3 primary scenarios. 1) once every 24 months if there has been a change in income of one of the parties; 2) once every 24 months if there has been a change in the Child Support Schedules (there will be one in Washington effective October 1, 2009); 3) once every 12 months and a child has changed age categories (from under age 12 to over age 12); and 4) once every 12 months and the existing Order of Child Support specifically provides for an adjustment to happen more frequently than every 24 months. If one of these scenarios are in effect, you can file a Motion to Adjust Child Support.

Procedurally there is a great difference between a Petition and a Motion. In a Petition to Modify, you are given a trial date, which in King County usually takes place on affidavit only (no oral testimony) and is scheduled about 4 months later. A Motion can take place much quicker, it can be scheduled in about 2 weeks and be resolved at that point. It takes place on the Family Court Services daily calendar.

The Renton law firm of Mogren, Glessner & Roti, represents clients in a variety of family law cases, including the child support adjustment. We have 4 attorneys for you to chose from. Please visit our web page at http://www.mgrlaw.com/ for more information.

Child Support Modification Procedure in Washington

The Order of Child Support can be modified in Washington if there has been a substantial change in the circumstances of the parents or the child. In this blog we will discuss the procedure involved to do this.

Filing for Modification of Child Support requires filling out the mandatory forms, including Summons, Petition for Modification, Child Support Worksheets, and financial verification (6 months wage stubs, 2 years tax returns, 6 months bank statements). You then serve copies on the other parent, and file them with the Court who will schedule a hearing. If the other parent is receiving welfare benefits, the County Prosecuting Attorney must be served as well.

In King County, a trial is scheduled in about 4 months after filing. It is a trial by affidavit, meaning that there is usually no oral testimony, it is all submitted in writing (declarations) in advance, with brief oral argument by the attorneys at the trial. Typically, both parties submit their declarations to the court and to each other 2 weeks before the trial date. Each party may then submit responding declarations 1 week before the trial.

Because the court accelerates the trail schedule in support only modifications, the court discourages temporary motions to adjust child support pending the trial. The court however has the ability to modify child support retroactive to the date of filing the action.

If both parties agree and the Order meets the State mandatory Child Support Schedules, they can get the Order of Child Support approved by a judge without the need of a formal hearing.

In my next post, I will discuss the difference between a Petition to Modify Child Support and a Motion to Adjust Child Support.

The Renton law firm of Mogren, Glessner & Roti, represents clients in a variety of family law cases, including the child support modification. We have 4 attorneys for you to chose from. Please visit our web page at http://www.mgrlaw.com/ for more information.

Child Support Modification in Washington

The Order of Child Support can be adjusted through a child support modification procedure if there has been a substantial change in the circumstances of the parents or the child. Some examples include when one or both parents' income has substantially increased or decreased; if the child now spends a greater amount of time with one or the other parent; or if the child has special needs, including special schooling or medical care.

If your Order of Child Support is registered with the State Division of Child Support and at least three years have passed since it was entered, the State will assist you in getting child support modified administratively at no charge to you. However, this process takes much longer than doing it on your own.

With the new changes in the Washington State Child Support Schedule effective October 1, 2009, there will probably be an increase in the number of Petitions for Modification of Child Support. These statutory changes could significantly change the amount of child support paid or received. If you think your child support could change, you should consult with an attorney to see what child support may be.

In the next post, I will discuss the procedure involved in a Petition to Modify Child Support.

The Renton law firm of Mogren, Glessner & Roti, represents clients in a variety of family law cases, including the child support modification. We have 4 attorneys for you to chose from. Please visit our web page at http://www.mgrlaw.com/ for more information.

Alcoholism and Child Custody in Washington Divorce

Alcoholism is a larger problem in society than most would guess. While some people consider themselves merely "social drinkers," they might in fact be alcoholics that rely on alcohol to have a good time. Alcoholism is a disease, like any addiction. While it is not nearly as serious an allegation in a child custody battle as drug abuse is, it is still serious.

When a parent is said to be an alcoholic and the other spouse has evidence to back it up, that becomes an issue for the court in setting up the Parenting Plan (custody). There is statutory basis for the court limiting a parents involvement in parenting when alcoholism is an issue.

The issue is not just that the parent consumes alcohol, but that their alcohol use affects their ability to parent. The biggest problem with alcoholism is that while a parent is drunk or out drinking, that parent is not paying attention to the children and seeing to their needs. In addition, alcohol compromises a person's judgment and may lead that parent to do some pretty risky things with the kids in the car.

When the parent's judgment is compromised due to alcohol, the risks for the children go up.
Courts are supposed to award the custody of the children to the parent that will be able to care for them best and keep them safe. Alcoholism impedes the ability of a parent to do this and so the children are at risk.

When alcoholism is an issue, the court will frequently order an alcohol evaluation, and sometimes require the parent to follow the recommendations (treatment). The court can condition visitation on the parent following through on these conditions. Sometimes the court will include a restraining order, that the parent not drink or be under the influence of alcohol during the visits. Sometimes the court will allow a parent to demand a urinalysis test if they suspect the other parent being under the influence during a visit. The court can also require the visit to be supervised if the parent cannot control their drinking.

The Renton law firm of Mogren, Glessner & Roti, represents clients in a variety of family law cases, including the custody and parenting plans in a divorce. We have 4 attorneys for you to chose from. Please visit our web page at http://www.mgrlaw.com/ for more information.

Washington No Fault Divorce

In Washington, the legal basis for the dissolution of a marriage is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. It only takes one party to allege this. Unless the court were to find that the petitioner was induced to file by by fraud or coercion, the court must grant the petition. There is nothing else the respondent can do to prevent the dissolution of the marriage.

Other "ground" or behaviors are not a basis for divorce, and therefore not admissible for that purpose. The court will not allow testimony regarding unfaithfulness, affairs or other fault.

Some "fault" may be admissible for other purposes. If it is relevant to the issue of parenting, it could be admissible. Domestic violence is admissible for the purpose of showing the need for restraining orders. When it comes to the issue of property division, the statute specifically states that the division must be made without regard to misconduct. An exception to this can be if a party dissipates community assets.

The Renton law firm of Mogren, Glessner & Roti, represents clients in a variety of family law cases, including the dissolution of marriage and the division of assets. We have 4 attorneys for you to chose from. Please visit our web page at http://www.mgrlaw.com/ for more information.

Dividing Non-Qualified Retirment Benefits in Washington Divorce

Pension and other retirement benefits are generally considered property subject to distribution by the Court in a dissolution action. A qualified pension plan (under the ERISA tax code) can be divided in two primary methods. The first is to determine it's value and awarding it to one spouse. The second is to divide the benefit between the spouses, typically using a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO). Today, we will look at dividing non-qualified plans.

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA's) are not qualified so a QDRO is not necessary. They can be awarded or divided in the Divorce Decree with simple language specifying who gets it.

Washington State pensions, including Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), Teachers' Retirement System (TRS), School Employees' Retirement System (SERS), Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System (LEOFF), Washington State Patrol Retirement System (WSPRS), Judicial Retirement System (JRS), and Judges' Retirement Fund (JRF), all require special statutory treatment for division, rather than a QDRO. Specific information on these pensions can be found at the following web page http://drs.wa.gov/member.

A family law attorney can advise you on how retirement benefits can fit into a fair division of assets, and help in getting them valued. QDRO's need to be approved by both the court and the pension administrator. Be sure to have your QDRO reviewed by an attorney.

The Renton law firm of Mogren, Glessner & Roti, represents clients in a variety of family law cases, including the division of assets (like a pension) in a divorce. We have 4 attorneys for you to chose from. Please visit our web page at http://www.mgrlaw.com/ for more information.

Interviewing a Washington Divorce Lawyer

Many people hire the first lawyer they meet. Others interview several lawyers before deciding which one to hire. How many you interview may depend on how much time you have, the urgency of your situation, how many lawyers there are to choose from and how quickly you find one you like.

Tell the lawyer about your situation. Take a list of your assets and debts and sources of income with you. A copy of the last several years' tax returns can also help speed the discussion and make it more meaningful. A narrative or outline of the important events in your relationship with your spouse can also be helpful.

Make a list of things you want to discuss and take it with you to the interview. Ask questions. Then ask more questions. Listen carefully to the answers and write them down. Review the answers later and think about them. Listen not only to the information the lawyer gives you, but also to the way it is presented. Think about how the lawyer related to you. While a lawyer may be appropriately optimistic about your case, do not hire a lawyer simply because that lawyer predicts a better outcome than another lawyer.

Here are some questions you might ask when interviewing a divorce lawyer:

• What is likely to happen to me?
• How much property will I get?
• How much support will I get?
• How much support will I have to pay?
• Do I have a choice of courts?
• Does it make a difference?
• Do you have associates or paralegals?
• How do you decide who does what work on my case?
• Are you reachable by phone?
• If I call and you aren't available, how is my call handled?
• How much do you charge for travel time, secretarial time, photocopies, postage, faxes, long distance calls, mobile phone calls, supplies, computer use or anything else other than your time?
• What expenses do you pay from the money I pay you and what do I have to pay directly?
• Under what circumstances would you refund all or part of my retainer fee?
• Do you have any personal feelings about the positions you would have to take if you represented me?
• How often are you out of the office in court, at conventions, on vacation, and for other things?
• How do you cover my case at those times?
• How much do you know about the judge who will decide my case if it goes to trial?
• Do you think we can work together?
• Will you be available at the times that are convenient for me?

The Renton law firm of Mogren, Glessner & Roti, represents clients in a variety of family law cases. We have 4 attorneys for you to chose from. Please visit our web page at http://www.mgrlaw.com/ for more information.

7 Tips if You are Considering Divorce

If you are considering a divorce or legal separation, the following are some tips to consider before you take any legal steps.

1. Copy Important Records: Make copies of important records such as tax returns with all schedules (at least three tax years), pay stubs, bank records (account statements and checking account registers), investment records, title/deeds for cars, homes, etc., and debt information such as credit card statements.


2. Consider Your Immediate Financial Needs: It may be weeks or months before you begin to get financial assistance from your spouse. Consider how you will meet your financial needs in the interim. Make a budget and identify ways to reduce your immediate needs. Know what your debt payments are. Identify sources of emergency cash such as bank accounts, credit card cash/PLC advances, loans from family members, and loans against other assets such as IRA’s and 401(k) accounts. Be aware of any tax consequences or penalties that might be incurred if you withdraw retirement funds.


3. Explore Your Alternatives: Will you be leaving your home or will your spouse be leaving? Who will the children live with? How will you afford new housing, including utility and rental deposits and moving costs? Do you have friends or family members with whom you can stay? Do you have suitable accommodations for overnights visits with your children?


4. Protect Your Credit: In order to avoid liability for debts your spouse might incur without your knowledge, notify all of your creditors that you want the accounts canceled because you are separating from your spouse. You will no longer be responsible for your spouse’s future charges, however, you will still be responsible for past charges. The notification should be in writing (keep a copy).


5. Consider What’s Best for Your Children: If you have children, think about their needs during this difficult period. Contact divorce support resources if necessary (these can be found through the child’s school, pediatrician, or community resources guides). Try to limit the amount of conflict the children are exposed to and do not involve them in the legal proceedings. If at all possible, let the children adjust to the separation before making changes to the child’s home, school, or other major support systems.


6. Obtain Appropriate Legal Assistance: If you can afford a private attorney, plan how you will pay a fee retainer. Obtain recommendations from friends, professionals such as counselors, or community resource guides. Ask questions about the attorney’s hourly rate and fee retainer. Find out how long the attorney has been practicing family law, and what percentage of their practice is in family law. If you cannot afford to retain an attorney, identify your other options such as a volunteer ("pro bono") attorney, low-income legal resources, free attorney consultations, "do-it-yourself" seminars, software and books. You might also explore "unbundled legal services": having an attorney assist you with only portions of the legal proceedings (such as preparing documents that you will file on your own behalf) which will reduce your legal expenses.


7. Educate Yourself and Your Children: Read books about the divorce process, talk to family members and friends, and know about the effects of divorce on children. Use age-appropriate explanations to talk with your children about what the marital separation will mean to their lives and what changes they can expect. Attend individual counseling or group sessions, if necessary.

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

Social Security and Divorce

The divorce court has no authority over Social Security benefits. They are federal benefits that the federal government can give or take away. They are not an asset for the court to distribute in divorce.

If your marriage is nearing the ten-year mark, and you're thinking of getting a divorce, here's one reason to stick around for a little while--at least if your spouse earns more money than you do.

Under current Social Security laws, a divorced spouse can get benefits on a former husband's or wife's Social Security record if the marriage lasted at least ten years. The divorced spouse must be 62 years of age or older and unmarried.

If the spouse has been divorced at least two years, he or she can get benefits on account of the worker's record, even if the worker is not retired. However, the worker must have enough credits to qualify for benefits and be age 62 or older. The amount of benefits a divorced spouse can receive has no effect on the amount of benefits a current spouse can receive.
Here are a few factors to consider:

• You may be entitled to more Social Security benefits on your own record than on your ex-spouse's record if you have a more consistent work history than your ex-spouse and if you have typically earned more money.


• If you are substantially younger than 62 you may well be skeptical about whether the Social Security system will be around in its current form by the time it is your turn to collect your benefits.


• The rule requires you to remain single--but it may be more advantageous for you to marry rather than remaining single simply to preserve the right to these benefits.

For additional information see Social Security Online.

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

Washington Interrogatories

Interrogatories are part of the discovery process in a legal action. Discovery is where the attorneys are trying to find out information from the other party about their case. It may be information that is helpful to maintaining your case, or helpful in defending you case.

Interrogatories are simply written questions, that must be answered in writing under oath. The receiving party has 30 days to answer the interrogatories. Sometimes interrogatories are paired with Request for Production of Documents, that requires the party to submit copies of relevant documents.

If you have been served with Interrogatories, it is wise to have an attorney review them before submitting them to the other party.

The Renton law firm of Mogren, Glessner & Roti, represents clients in a variety of family law cases. We typically send Interrogatories to the other party as part of the discovery process. Please visit our web page at http://www.mgrlaw.com/ for more information.

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.

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.