P F Smith Family Law

Washington parental alienation — one parent influencing child against other parent — can lead to custody modification, contempt findings, sanctions, and reunification therapy. Difficult to prove but increasingly recognized.

Washington unmarried couples have NO automatic rights to property, support, or inheritance — cohabitation agreements + careful estate planning are the only protection. "Common-law marriage" is rare + specific.

Washington divorce decrees on child support, custody, and alimony can be modified after substantial change in circumstances — but property division generally cannot be reopened.