O’Brian & Associates
Contact Us Today! 425.629.0060

Compassionate & Experienced

Custody Lawyer

At , we know that there is nothing more important than preserving the relationships you have built with your children.

Begin with a Consultation

Child Custody Attorney

Our Mission Is to Protect What Matters Most: (425) 629-0060

Going through divorce is stressful enough and, when children are involved, the process can become especially complicated. At O’Brian & Associates, our team genuinely cares about providing clients with the guidance they need to work through their child custody case as favorably as possible. Highly skilled in both negotiation and litigation, we are prepared to represent you if your case must be handled in the courtroom. Whether you and your former spouse are able to establish the terms of your child custody arrangement amicably, or your situation must be handled in front of a judge, you can be confident that your case will be in highly qualified hands when you turn to our firm for assistance.

How Is Custody Determined?

First and foremost, determining who will get custody is based on the best interests of the child. However, what is in the best interests of the child actually depends on a number of factors.

  • Environment
  • Parent-Child Relationships
  • Health of All Parties
  • Health & Developmental Adjustments
  • Child’s Living Pattern
  • Child’s Preference

You May Be Wondering...

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Questions

  • Is custody granted to only one parent?

    Answer

    Not always. It is actually common for courts to grant at least partial custody to both parents—also known as joint custody. While joint physical custody refers to the child spending a substantial amount of time with each parent, joint legal custody refers to the parents determining important decisions together, such as those involving medical, educational and religious matters.

  • Will I have to take my case to court?

    Answer

    It is not uncommon for a child custody case to need to be taken to court. When you work with our firm, we will try to help you reach an amicable resolution; however, this is not always possible. If you are unable to resolve your case peacefully, we are prepared to represent you in court, where we will ensure your rights and your child’s interests are protected.

  • Can anyone other than a parent obtain custody?

    Answer

    In some situations, parties other than the child’s parents may wish to obtain custody, such as grandparents, an aunt, uncle, or family friend. This may be referred to as non-parental or third-party custody, and is often closely related to obtaining guardianship the child.

  • Why do I need an attorney?

    Answer

    The family law system can be complicated, and child custody processes can be personal and emotional. You need a lawyer who will guide you through the family law system, ensure your process goes as smoothly as possible, and help you reach a solution that is tailored to meet you and your child’s unique needs.

  • Susan Millican O'Brian J.D.

    CEO of O'Brian & Associates

    Susan Millican O'Brian is the founder of the O'Brian & Associates, where she exclusively practices family law. As the managing officer of the corporation, she not only oversees the running of our firm, she also works closely with each of our associate attorneys, meeting bi-weekly to strategize. Together, we bring our combined total of 60+ years of experience of practicing law to every case we handle and help our clients achieve the best possible results.

    Attorney O'Brian has represented clients in many dissolution cases involving significant property interests, including but not limited to the valuation and disposition of retirement, pension, employment benefits and stock option/stock awards. She also assists clients with spousal maintenance, parenting and child support matters.

    Our office is committed to our clients and Attorney O'Brian listens to their concerns and goals. She has developed an effective style of paying meticulous attention to detail, and delivering unwavering advocacy on behalf of our clients. She has a dedication to professionalism that is recognized by our clients, court, and the opposition.

  • Lisa H. Do J.D.

    Attorney

    Lisa H. Do is dedicated to helping people navigate through what can be a complex legal system, while also fighting for the best outcome for her clients and their families. Lisa first became interested in family law while performing volunteer work at community centers for children. She met numerous parents dealing with not only the emotional distress of a divorce, but also trying to understand the legal system. Her interest and desire to help these parents propelled her to go to law school and to eventually practice family law.

    Lisa is acutely aware of the significant impact any legal proceeding can have on a family. Her top priorities are always to obtain the results clients desire, and to ensure they understand how their lives will be affected, both from a legal and personal context. Multi-talented, Attorney Do can serve as an aggressive advocate or a cooperative opposing counsel, depending upon the particular circumstances of the case. She is an experienced litigator who is also well equipped to resolve cases in the most advantageous manner for the client.

  • Kathryn F. Peterson

    Attorney

    During law school, Kathryn Peterson was a judicial extern to Federal District Judge Thomas J. Whelan, served on the "San Diego Law Review," was a contributing editor to the "Journal of Contemporary Legal Issues," and was a member of USD's National Moot Court Tax Team. She is admitted to both the Washington and California State Bars. She is also admitted to the United States District Court for the Southern and Central Districts of California.

    Following law school, Kathryn clerked for the Honorable Louisa S. Porter in the United States District Court in San Diego, California. After completing her clerkship, Kathryn practiced complex commercial litigation for several years before serving on the Board of Directors for International Microcomputer Software, Inc. In 2007, Kathryn joining The Walt Disney Company/ABC as Counsel, Legal Affairs.

    In 2012, Kathryn founded her own family law firm in San Diego and was active in the Honorable Fiorenzo V. Lopardo Inn of Court. In 2015, together with her husband and three dogs, she moved from San Diego to Seattle where Kathryn continues to focus her practice on family law. She is particularly passionate about her volunteer work as a Court Appointed Special Advocate ("CASA") for dependent children in King County, WA.

  • Marcia L. Fisher J.D.

    Attorney

    Marcia Fisher began practicing law in Virginia and, in 1994, moved back to her home state of Washington and started practicing law here. She is an accomplished litigator who determines and implements effective strategies for clients during all phases of a case. During her past 26 years of practice, she has represented parties in all areas of family law. She has also served as a guardian ad litem for children and incapacitated individuals, and has experience communicating with individuals from diverse social and cultural backgrounds. With mediation training, she is also an accomplished negotiator.

    Marcia has participated in multi-week trials; evidentiary hearings regarding the admission of expert testimony, the enforceability of a postnuptial agreement, litigated challenges to a CR2A Agreement, and argued motions in limine. She has also examined over 200 trial exhibits in a case revealing the opposing party falsified documents effectively presented direct evidence and illustrative documents of complex financial transactions, and made numerous appearances before Family Law Commissioners and Judges in both King and Snohomish County.

Learn About the Difference

O'Brian & Associates Can Make in Your Family Law Case

  • Our Founder Is in The National Advocates: Top 100 Lawyers List

  • Team of Attorneys with at Least 10 Years of Experience Each

  • Cutting-Edge Office & Communications Technology

  • Our Counsel Is Customized to Fit Every Client's Unique Needs

  • Attention to Detail, Accessibility & Responsive Service

Tell Us About Your Case

Our Client Testimonials

Your Case is in Good Hands

  • “The result of their hard work was very favorable for my daughter and I. I am so thankful to this team and the changes they were able to make for my life and my family. Everyone associated with this office has always gone above and beyond what I expected.”

    N.M.

  • “Susan and her firm have stood by me and my family throughout my custody hearing. Their support has been extremely reassuring in this unbearable situation.”

    J.P.

  • “This office treated me extremely well throughout my case. I had a very difficult and emotionally charged divorce and their team was with me and my children every step of the way. I always felt that I had a strong advocate on my side. ”

    V.V.

  • “I very much appreciate all of your hard work and help seeing me through the process. It really made a big difference having you both in my corner.”

    K & D.T.

  • “Thank you for all of your support hard work and kindness over the past 10 months. You made me feel as if I were your only client.”

    W.T.

Contact Our Firm

Our Team Looks Forward to Hearing from You

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