Insight, Analysis, and Perspective for Businesses and Individuals

Washington does not have a common law marriage.  Instead, unmarried cohabitants can go to court to have their property divided under the “Committed Intimate Relationship” doctrine, often abbreviated CIR.  In a prior blog post, I’ve written about the factors courts consider in determining whether parties were, in fact, in a CIR.  Those factors are critical […]

Belle Burden’s memoir Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage explores the sudden unraveling of a seemingly stable long-term marriage and family life against the backdrop of the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. For many readers, the book resonates far beyond Burden’s personal storytelling, particularly for those who may be navigating a divorce or difficult co-parenting […]

A number of popular reality TV shows pitch a love story that ends with an infatuated couple walking down the aisle and saying, “I do.” Love is Blind, the hit Netflix reality TV show, has resulted in 16 marriages over 10 seasons. While it is fascinating to see the couples’ journeys on the show, many […]

Between navigating the legal process, managing heated emotions, and trying to create a stable environment for your children, it’s easy to feel lost or uncertain when you’re going through a divorce. Books can be a comforting resource during such challenging times, offering wisdom, practical advice, and emotional support. If you’re facing a divorce with children, […]

In recent years, divorce has been quietly changing. While divorce rates among younger couples have declined, divorce later in life—often called “gray divorce”—has risen steadily, reshaping how families, finances, and futures are untangled. That shift is now firmly in the public spotlight, in part due to the widespread reaction to Strangers: A Memoir of Marriage, […]

Divorce is more than a legal process. When children are involved, it can mark a profound transition in family structure, roles, and responsibilities. A parenting plan is one of the most important outcomes of that transition. It defines how children will spend time with each parent, how major decisions will be made, and how future […]

Divorce and other related family law matters can be complex, time-consuming, and stressful. In 2026, generative AI (“Artificial Intelligence”) models such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Copilot are rapidly becoming part of everyday life, both in personal and professional settings. As this technology grows and becomes more accessible, individuals going through divorce or other family […]

Collaborative Divorce is a structured legal process wherein parties resolve their disputes without going to court. The process focuses on reaching mutually agreeable solutions, while using shared neutral experts, and aiming to meet the priorities of each party. I practice both traditional litigation and Collaborative Law. I’ve run across many litigation attorneys who think Collaborative […]

Lasher is pleased to announce that, effective February 10, 2026, attorney Elizabeth “Betsy” Hershman has joined the firm as a Principal in our Family Law Practice Group. Betsy brings sharp litigation skills with a thoughtful, compassionate approach to dispute resolution. A seasoned litigator and trained Collaborative lawyer, Betsy represents clients across the full spectrum of […]

If a spouse hid money during the marriage, then they will undoubtedly try to hide it during the divorce. The way a person manages money during the marriage is a roadmap for how they will behave during the divorce. If they were secretive with bank statements or kept a “private” stash while you were together, […]

If divorce law reflects the way people live, work, and plan their futures, then 2026 is shaping up to be a year of quieter strategy and longer-term thinking. The days of reactive decisions and splashy courtroom battles are giving way to preparation, privacy, and precision. Here’s what we’re seeing as “in,” and what’s quickly becoming […]

When you’re going through a divorce or other family law proceeding, there will inevitably be court orders that everyone must abide by.  Not everyone does.  These orders can relate to parenting plans, child support, restraining orders, and so on.  Oftentimes you can file a ‘Motion to Enforce’ the order at issue, but an alternative is […]