McKinley Irvin Blogs from August 2023

• Explaining an Absent Parent to a Child After Divorce

  Aug 29, 2023
  While divorce is a stressful experience for anyone, children are especially vulnerable to the negative effects of ending a marriage. From behavioral problems to emotional dysregulation to academic struggles, it can be exceedingly difficult to care for little ones when moms and dads are barely hanging on by a thread themselves. Fortunately, there are ways to stay connected and support children after divorce. In this blog, we’ll review some essential tips for co-parents to help their children adjust to single parenthood or ...
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• How To Handle Custody & Visitation During the Divorce Process

  Aug 25, 2023
  Before your divorce is finalized, you and your co-parent might be concerned about how you’ll share parenting responsibilities in the interim. The divorce process can be complicated and lengthy, so having a temporary parenting plan in place is the best way you can ensure you create a stable environment for your children and set clear-cut expectations with your spouse. While you meet with your attorney to discuss the details of your divorce or negotiate the terms of your official child custody agreement in court, your ...
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• David Starks Named Family Law “Lawyer of the Year” For the Second Time

  Aug 22, 2023
  We are proud to announce that Best Lawyers® has named David Starks the 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” for family law in the Seattle Metro Area. This is David’s second time receiving this designation, with the first time in 2022. Best Lawyers selects only one “Lawyer of the Year” for each practice area and geographic location, making this accolade particularly significant. This honor is given to the attorney who received the highest overall peer feedback. David continues to carve out an impressive legal career: Diplomate, American ...
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• What is Post-Secondary Child Support?

  Aug 22, 2023
  Post-secondary child support, also called post-secondary educational support, is the court-ordered payment for a child’s college expenses. Under Washington state law, the court can order a divorced parent to pay for some or all of their child’s secondary education expenses, including not only colleges, but trade schools, vocational schools, and sometimes even graduate school. Post-secondary support for your child’s education can be determined in two ways: First, it can be included in your divorce and custody agreement. Both ...
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• McKinley Irvin Ranked #5 Best Workplace in Washington by Puget Sound Business Journal

  Aug 18, 2023
  Last night, the Puget Sound Business Journal announced rankings for Washington’s Best 100 Workplaces. McKinley Irvin ranked #5 on the list for large companies. This is the second year in a row that our firm has been recognized in the Best Workplaces list and ranked in the top 5 in our category. Last year, we were in the midsize company category and placed #4. This recognition is driven by employee feedback. The Puget Sound Business Journal partners with Quantum Workplace to anonymously survey hundreds of companies each year. ...
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• 29 McKinley Irvin Attorneys Listed in 2024’s The Best Lawyers In America®

  Aug 17, 2023
  We are proud to announce that 29 McKinley Irvin attorneys were recognized in the 2024 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, and that Partner David Starks has been named the 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” for family law in the Seattle Metro Area. The annual Best Lawyers listing is determined by a comprehensive peer review process to select the leading attorneys in each legal practice area for their geographical region. Inclusion in Best Lawyers is widely considered to be a significant honor. Lawyer of the Year in Family Law ...
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• McKinley Irvin Welcomes Joel C. Odimba, Jr.

  Aug 14, 2023
  McKinley Irvin is pleased to announce that family law attorney Joel C. Odimba, Jr. has joined the firm in our Seattle office. Joel represents clients in all family law matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, legal separation, LGBT family law, and domestic violence. Named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers® every year since 2020, Joel has been consistently recognized by his peers for his legal acumen and achievements. Carving out an impressive legal resume, his contributions include leadership roles within the ...
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• FAQ: Serving Divorce Papers in Washington

  Aug 14, 2023
  After a person files for divorce, a copy of the summons, complaint, and the notice of the initial hearing must be hand-delivered to the other spouse. This process is commonly referred to as serving divorce papers. Below, our divorce attorneys answer common questions we are asked about serving divorce papers in Washington. Question #1: How do I serve divorce papers? A: There are three ways to serve divorce papers: hand-delivery, certified mail, and publication. Question #2: Can I personally serve divorce papers? A: You cannot ...
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