Thursday, September 14, 2017

Extreme Risk Protection Orders

Bains Law Firm - September 14, 2017

Family law litigation often involves the need for protection of property or from the other party. There are several different types of protection and restraining orders, including a general Restraining OrderDomestic Violence Protection OrderSexual Assault Protection OrderAnti-Harassment Protection Order and now in Washington State, an Extreme Risk Protection Orders.in Washington State, an Extreme Risk Protection Order.

Extreme Risk Protection Orders became law on November 8, 2016, as an Initiative ballot measure. The goal of the Initiative was to set up a process to allow law-enforcement officers, family members and others to ask a judge to keep firearms out of the hands of someone deemed a danger to themselves or others.

Typically, an Extreme Risk Protection Order is necessary when the respondent poses a significant danger of causing personal injury to self or others, and the respondent has a firearm. However in some rare cases, possession of a firearm is not necessary to obtain protection.  These cases involve facts that give rise to a reasonable fear of future dangerous acts by the respondent.

In emergency situations, an Ex Parte Temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order is necessary and can be issued without notice to the respondent. Such an order is often granted upon allegations based on personal knowledge that the respondent poses a significant danger of causing personal injury to self or others in the near future by having a firearm. The Court will consider all relevant evidence and if it finds reasonable cause, then an Ex Parte Temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order will be issued. Typically, the Court will have an Ex Parte Temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order hearing in person or by telephone on the day of filing of the petition, and will schedule another hearing for the respondent to appear within fourteen days of issuance of the Ex Parte Temporary Extreme Risk Protection Order.

Upon a full hearing, if granted, an Extreme Risk Protection Order will generally last for one year. In some cases, the Court can make the order for a fixed (specific) amount of time or even make it permanent.

Family law litigation can be emotionally difficult and complex. Decisions made about each step of the litigation can affect you for many years. We have years of experience helping our clients through the difficulty of protection orders and can help you through the process. Contact us today at (253) 838 – 3377 or email at office@bainslawfirm.com, to talk about your situation.





Disclaimer: All materials provided on this website have been prepared by Bains Law Firm for general information purposes only and no representation is made as to their completeness or accuracy. Information on this website is not intended as legal advice, and may not be relied upon as such. Only an attorney who can review the unique facts of each case and apply them to the statutes, case law and court rules can provide legal advice. Nothing in this website shall be construed to create an attorney-client relationship.

Friday, September 1, 2017

Co-Parenting Apps

September 1, 2017 - Bains Law Firm 

Bains Law Firm
In our digital age, there are many different types of Co-Parenting Apps that can provide a mechanism for divorced parents to synchronize co-parenting, and alleviate the need for direct communication which can often degenerate or stray from focusing upon the children. Some apps provide shared diaries, expense records, and even children’s profiles. Finding the right Co-Parenting App can simplify and organize all Co-Parenting issues.

Here are a few of the options that are available:



This tool offers shared messages, the ability to communicate expenses and update the other parent about routine items such as a well child check up. There is also a journaling function which can reduce conflicts and keep a record. The App also includes a calendar, message board, expense log, journal, and information bank for safe storage of family information. Another bonus feature is a notification center for emails and texts,                                                 allowing a reminder for upcoming events.


This App features expense management, family management and Parenting Plan management, all with alerts. Similar to other Apps, keeping track of financial expenses is a necessary function when a Child Support Order requires proportional sharing of child-related expenses. As well as the real-time calendar and alerts, this app will make missed appointments a thing of the past.



This App does not provide tracking for particular issues, but is designed to provide emotional support. It includes features such as emotional stages for parenting and children, adjustment issues, parenting apart challenges, and some inspirational advice. In some situations, a website may be better suited to facilitating Co-Parenting.



This App allows teachers to create an account and allows parents to join simply with a single text message. Some features include reminders of class events and daily activities. This is a great way for both parents to stay in communication with their child’s school teacher and keep track of school activities.




This website and App will allow the parents to keep a complete record of all communications between parents. In highly contentious parenting situations, this can be useful for future litigation as it will provide a record of the real facts. This App (and website) will also allow the parents to communicate regarding the children without the need for face to face dialogue. In high-conflict situations, parents may be court-ordered to communicate exclusively through this website.


Each App has positive and negative aspects. Finding the right App to ease the complexity of Co-Parenting to fit each parent’s unique situation is important. Ultimately, simplifying a complex situation and producing a record of all Co-Parenting activities can ease the process and provide useful evidence in the event of a future conflict.

In Washington State, a divorce with minor children, both spouses need to consider the importance of creating a Parenting Plan and the day to day and long term implications of having such a Plan. Increasingly, more and more Parenting Plans are including the use of Co-Parenting Apps for parents to maximize effective communication.  

Family law litigation can be emotionally difficult and complex. Decisions made about each step of the litigation can affect you for many years. We have years of experience helping our clients through the difficulty of establishing, modifying and enforcing Parenting Plans and can help you through the process. Contact us today at (253) 838 – 3377 or email at office@bainslawfirm.com, to talk about your situation.




Disclaimer: All materials provided on this website have been prepared by Bains Law Firm for general information purposes only and no representation is made as to their completeness or accuracy. Information on this website is not intended as legal advice, and may not be relied upon as such. Only an attorney who can review the unique facts of each case and apply them to the statutes, case law and court rules can provide legal advice. Nothing in this website shall be construed to create an attorney-client relations