Milford Law Firm

26 Years of Experience

In Family Law

Helping Hundreds of Families!

divorce

At our law firm, we offer expert divorce services to clients across the West Coast, ensuring a smooth transition through this challenging time. Read More.

child custody

Our dedicated team provides comprehensive child custody services, advocating for the best interests of your family throughout the West Coast. Read More.

mediation

We specialize in mediation services, helping clients in the West Coast States resolve disputes amicably and efficiently. Read More.

premarital agreements

Our law firm drafts thorough premarital agreements, protecting your future across the West Coast with meticulous attention to detail. Read More.

guardianships

We assist clients with guardianship matters, offering compassionate and knowledgeable support to families throughout the West Coast. Read More.

conservatorships

Our experienced attorneys handle conservatorship cases, providing reliable guidance to clients across the West Coast. Read More.

domestic violence

We provide robust legal services for domestic violence cases, ensuring your safety and rights are protected in the West Coast States. Read More.

step-parent adoption

Our firm facilitates step-parent adoptions with care and professionalism, serving families throughout the West Coast. Read More.

Free 15 minute Case Evaluation

Go To Our Contact Form To Book

divorce

At our law firm, we offer expert divorce services to clients across the West Coast, ensuring a smooth transition through this challenging time. Read More.

child custody

Our dedicated team provides comprehensive child custody services, advocating for the best interests of your family throughout the West Coast. Read More.

mediation

We specialize in mediation services, helping clients in the West Coast States resolve disputes amicably and efficiently. Read More.

premarital agreements

Our law firm drafts thorough premarital agreements, protecting your future across the West Coast with meticulous attention to detail. Read More.

guardianships

We assist clients with guardianship matters, offering compassionate and knowledgeable support to families throughout the West Coast. Read More.

conservatorships

Our experienced attorneys handle conservatorship cases, providing reliable guidance to clients across the West Coast. Read More.

domestic violence

We provide robust legal services for domestic violence cases, ensuring your safety and rights are protected in the West Coast States. Read More.

step-parent adoption

Our firm facilitates step-parent adoptions with care and professionalism, serving families throughout the West Coast. Read More.

Free 15 minute Case Evaluation

Go To Our Contact Form To Book
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Meet Michelle Mason 26 Years of Experience In Family Law,

Helping Hundreds of Families!


Michelle Mason has practiced Family Law for over 26 years. She is very empathetic to clients going through divorce due to her own experience going through a divorce with four children of her own. She believes that her personal experience with divorce has also made her a better attorney. She focuses on minimizing the trauma that divorce can cause the children.



Michelle believes that “In family law, there is no winning for either parent, but there is a right way and wrong way to do it for the children.

Meet Our Team
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Bar Associations

By Michelle Mason 10 Sep, 2024
WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF THE INCLUSION OF “COERCIVE CONTROL” TO THE DEFINITION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN WASHINGTON STATE?  In July 2022, the definition of "Coercive control" was added to the domestic violence statute. This can be found in RCW 7.105.0109(4)(i). Generally, “coercive control” is a pattern of behavior that is used to cause another to suffer physical, emotional, or psychological harm, and in purpose or effect unreasonably interferes with a person's free will and personal liberty. What is important to understand is that “coercive control” does not require the perpetrator to lay a finger on the other party or even threaten bodily harm. Washington has a very large list of what can constitute “coercive control” which makes it hard for the courts to determine what is and is not domestic violence. What is reasonable and unreasonable varies from situations and adds a degree of uncertainty for family law litigants, commissioners, judges and attorneys. The perspective of the alleged victim of coercive control means as a practical matter, what is coercive to one person, may or may not be psychologically damaging to another. Examples of coercive control include, but are not limited to, engaging in any of the following: intimidation by threatening to destroy or damage property, using technology to threaten, humiliate, harass, (email, GPS tracking), displaying a weapon, in a manner that threatens the safety of another, driving recklessly with the other party or child, communicating directly or indirectly with intent to harm the other party’s child, family friends and pets, harm to the other’s career, self-harm or suicide attempts, call to immigration, taking control of passports or other identification, threatening to make private information public that could jeopardize safety, causing dependence, confinement, isolation, sexual or reproductive coercion, depriving the other party of basic necessities or money, controlling or monitoring the other person’s movements (most often GPS tracking on a phone), engaging in “psychological aggression” including humiliation, fear. Coercive control can arise simply by virtue of the power dynamic in the relationship. While the definition of coercive control may appear clear, it may be so broad as to create an “I know it when I see it” type question for courts. Lack of guidance means that courts may be looking at controlling behaviors that are objectionable but not necessarily unlawful with different judges potentially coming to different conclusions based on their subjective view of when the behavior is coercive. If you believe you are a victim or have been unjustly accused of domestic violence, it is important to have an experienced attorney to represent you. Washington courts are often underfunded and leave little time for evidentiary hearings. The quality of the pleadings (statements, including witnesses) can make or break the case.
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01 Jul, 2024
We are delighted to have you here and to share valuable insights and updates about family law. With over 26 years of experience serving clients across all West Coast states, our team is dedicated to providing expert legal guidance and support during some of life’s most challenging moments. About Our Firm Our firm services all areas of family law, including divorce, child custody, support arrangements, premarital agreements, guardianships, conservatorships, domestic violence, and step-parent adoption. Our seasoned team of attorneys is well-versed in the complexities of family law and is committed to protecting your rights and interests with compassion and diligence. Why This Blog? The purpose of our blog is to offer a trusted resource for individuals seeking information about family law issues. We understand that navigating legal matters can be daunting, and our goal is to demystify the process by providing clear, concise, and informative content. Whether you’re considering a divorce, looking into adoption, or dealing with custody disputes, our blog will cover a wide range of topics to help you understand your options and what to expect. Our Commitment to You We are committed to providing accurate and relevant information to help you make informed decisions. However, it’s important to note that the information shared on our blog and website is for general informational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice. Each family law case is unique, and personalized legal counsel is crucial for addressing your specific situation. If you need legal assistance, we encourage you to reach out to our firm. We offer a free 15-minute consultation to discuss your case and how we can help you navigate your legal challenges.  Contact Us If you have any questions or need legal support, please don't hesitate to contact us. Our experienced team is here to help you with all your family law needs across the West Coast. Thank you for visiting our blog. We look forward to providing you with valuable insights and assisting you with your family law matters.
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