Insight, Analysis, and Perspective for Businesses and Individuals

In Washington family law cases, a Guardian ad Litem (often abbreviated as a ‘GAL’) may be appointed by the court to represent and protect the best interests of the parties’ children. This could be during a divorce, a parenting plan modification, and other family law proceedings. Despite the varying contexts that could lead to the […]

Have you ever wondered why some divorces make headlines while others quietly resolve behind closed doors? In Seattle, as in many major cities, not every divorce is straightforward. Some involve unique assets, intricate family dynamics, or sensitive issues that can turn an already difficult process into a truly complex legal matter. So, what exactly is […]

A divorce can change how people remember their weddings. Instead of reminiscing about the tender moments, they tend to fixate on the price tag. Here are notes on whether you can recover common costs of your wedding when you get divorced: Engagement Ring Clients often ask if they can be reimbursed for the cost of […]

What Is a Postnuptial Agreement—and Do You Need One? Have you ever wondered what happens if you do not sign a prenuptial agreement before the wedding but still want to set clear financial boundaries in your marriage? Sometimes, negotiations about finances and property cannot be finalized before the big day. In California, for example, the […]

As of January 1, 2026, significant changes to child support obligations in Washington state are set to go into effect. House Bill 1014, the result of implementing the recommendations of the 2023 child support work group, will bring about immediate changes to those seeking new Child Support Orders in 2026, and provide an opportunity for […]

RCW 26.09.191, the Washington law on parenting plan limitations (a/k/a “.191 restrictions”), will change this month due to the passage of House Bill 1620. The bill, which was passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Bob Ferguson in April, will take effect on July 27, 2025. The new law introduces new definitions […]

Prenuptial agreements are touchy subjects. Sometimes they can be perfectly fair and fine contracts between soon-to-be spouses. Other times they can grossly favor one spouse over the other. In a previous blog post, I discussed how divorcing spouses may challenge their prenuptial agreement.  Courts apply a two-pronged test to determine whether to uphold the agreement: […]

In 1990, attorney Stuart Webb inadvertently pioneered a new process for divorce aimed to minimize conflict and to resolve matters collaboratively and expeditously. Webb practiced family law and introduced a novel idea: he agreed to represent clients only if both spouses committed to staying out of court. If either spouse filed a motion or initiated […]

As a product of the COVID-19 pandemic, Washington courts, like many others, were forced to adopt a virtual format with respect to live hearings and trials. This meant opting to conduct proceedings using Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WebEx, and other similar video platforms. What started out as an emergency response based on public health necessity seems […]

Cryptocurrency is an increasingly common investment in spouses’ portfolios. While cryptocurrency can present unique challenges due to the various exchanges, different forms of recordkeeping, and new vocabulary, the key questions for purposes of divorce are the same as for more traditional assets: When Was the Cryptocurrency Acquired? It is important to identify when you purchased […]

If your business has taken a hit because of tariffs or market volatility, the law may offer a path to modify your spousal support obligations—but it’s not automatic. A client runs a successful U.S.-based fashion brand that relies entirely on a specialized garment factory in Asia. When the most recent round of tariffs hit, the […]

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty that established a uniform set of laws for countries with respect to child abduction. Countries that are signors to the Convention agree to follow an established legal process to recover and return children located in their country who may have […]