Family Law

I handle family law cases including divorce, separation, child custody (grandparent and non-parent custody), and property rights. I also help create wills and prenuptial agreements.

Family Law

• Restraining Orders
• Enforcement Actions

Abuse

• Domestic Violence

Children

• Adoptions
• Child Support
• Custody
• Paternity
• Visitation

Couples

• Civil Unions
• Common Law Marriage
• Domestic Partnerships
• Living Together/Cohabitation
• Marriage
• Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements

Rights

• Termination of Parental Rights

WA, Nov 1991
Bar Number: 21254

Certified Guardian Ad Litem for children.

U.S. District Court for Western Washington, all district and superior courts of Washington.

Washington State Bar Association.

I attend 15 hours per year of legal education seminars on family law, psychology, litigation, solo and small firm practice and law office management.

Dissolution of Marriage: Obtained temporary child custody for father, negotiated a reasonable parenting plan that gave each parent generous time and helped avoid a long, exhausting litigation over the children. Narrowed the case down for trial, and presented the judge with expert evidence about market value of property to give my client a fair division of property with favorable payment terms on the settlement. Client obtained marital rights in assets that wife was claiming were outside the marriage as separate property.

Defending post-decree modification of child custody: Represented a mother who lost temporary custody due to her being arrested twice for violating restraining order stemming from relationship problems with new male partner. Successfully met and disproved father's allegations about her character and fitness, when at trial the court found that she had properly dealt with areas of concern and that grounds for changing custody were no longer present, thus requiring both kids to be restored to her custody.

Child support: Court granted our motion to dismiss a request for college child support when the moving party failed to bring the request before age 18 and support had already expired. Wrote legal brief showing the judge some appellate case law, and overcame the opposing lawyer's misplaced belief that the court had not lost jurisdiction over the issue. Court granted attorney fees against opponent, paid to us as prevailing party.

1

Washington

I am a sole practitioner, family law attorney, providing confident representation and realistic advice at a reasonable fee.

I have been proudly serving the people and families of Clark County since 1992.

• I worked as retail security from 1984-87.
• I was a title and escrow clerk from 1986-88.
• I was a law clerk for the U.S. Attorney's Office from 1989-91.
• I was an associate attorney for a small firm from 1991-92.
• I have been an attorney at law since 1992.

I am a Guardian Ad Litem for children in court cases involving custody and visitation. Often I serve as a volunteer lawyer for the Modest Means discount program through the local bar association.

(360) 695-9491

Weekdays
9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

No

No.

Flat fees are available when the attorney's time and work is predictable. Uncontested matters, even for divorce and non-parent custody, or modifications of parenting plans and child support, can sometimes be done for a fixed fee. A flat fee is often set a little higher to allow room for the lawyer to spend more time on the "mildly contested" matters that will need brief negotiations or various revisions to agreements.

$170 per hour. Trial time is $190 per hour. Discounts are available for modest incomes.

I am careful and responsible with my clients' money.

Free one-hour office consultation, with no charge and no obligation. Brief advice is available by phone or email.

$2,000 for a contested divorce with property and children. The minimum retainer for smaller matters is between $500 and $1,500 depending on the issues.