Insight, Analysis, and Perspective for Businesses and Individuals

What happens to the family home in a divorce or legal separation? For property awards in Washington State, the court must make three primary decisions: 1) the value of the property, 2) the characterization of the property as either community property, separate property, or a combination of the two, and 3) the award or division […]

As a divorce lawyer in Washington State, it is common for new clients to come in to our first meeting with the understanding that Washington is a community property state and believing that this means all property and debts are split right down the middle, 50/50. While this is often a good place to start […]

In Washington, alimony is referred to as either “spousal support” or “spousal maintenance.”  An award of spousal maintenance aims not merely a means to provide the financially disadvantaged spouse with bare necessities, “but rather a flexible tool by which the parties’ standard of living may be equalized for an appropriate period of time.”[1]  To accomplish […]

What Is a High Asset Divorce? A high asset divorce is a type of divorce where the couples’ lives are interwoven with substantial wealth, be it businesses, real estate, investments, or cherished collections. In these cases, the financial stakes are much higher compared to a typical divorce, and the process can be significantly more complex […]

A Collaborative Divorce process is an alternative method of resolving a divorce whereby both spouses, along with their respective attorneys, work together to reach a mutually agreeable settlement in a team-oriented approach outside of court.  In a Collaborative Divorce, they must adhere to the following principles: Acting with honesty, transparency, and candor; Demonstrating cooperation, respect, […]

What is a contested divorce versus an uncontested divorce? An uncontested divorce is one where all terms of the divorce are agreed upon by the parties. A contested divorce is a divorce that involves at least one or more case issues where you and your spouse do not agree. The primary issues in each divorce […]

Mediation is an out-of-court process in which the parties and their attorneys work with a mediator to reach a final settlement agreement. The mediator is a third-party neutral who has experience in family law and can facilitate negotiations between the parties on all issues, including division of assets, spousal maintenance, and parenting. Mediation is an […]

Too often, infidelity plays a role in the demise of a marriage.  The spouse who was cheated on will likely (and understandably) be angry.  But can that infidelity be used against the cheating spouse during your divorce?  In Washington, the answer is no. Washington is a “no-fault” State, meaning that the trial judge will not […]

With summer just around the corner, it is time for employers with outdoor employees to make sure they are complaint with Washington’s new wildfire smoke regulations.  This winter, Washington Labor and Industries promulgated new permanent regulations requiring employers to take a number of steps to protect workers from the hazards of wildfire smoke. The new […]

What is an International Divorce? An international divorce occurs when one or more aspects of a divorce case involve multiple countries or legal systems. This can arise from various circumstances, such as marriage in another country, living overseas, owning property abroad, or potential international child custody issues. When Might You Need an Attorney for an […]

Are you divorcing a narcissist? Brace yourself for a journey that demands strategic expertise and unwavering advocacy. Navigating a divorce with a narcissistic spouse adds an extra layer of complexity, as their manipulative tactics and self-centered behaviors can create a challenging legal battlefield. Secure Professional Guidance: Divorcing a narcissist can be particularly challenging due to […]

What is required in Washington State to get divorced? The only requirement in Washington State to get divorced is that you be in a legal marriage. A legal marriage is generally one that included a marriage certificate and ceremony before a person authorized to solemnize marriages. Divorce is a matter of right and anyone in […]