Insight, Analysis, and Perspective for Businesses and Individuals

Prenuptial agreements (prenups) are no longer the sole domain of the rich and famous.  There are many reasons why more couples consider one as they enter into marriage.  Each prenup is tailored to the needs, desires, and circumstances of the parties involved.  What follows are some common factors to help you determine whether you would […]

“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”  ~Winston Churchill It’s easy to instinctively shy away from conflict and with good reason – given the choice, most people would rather resolve disputes in a healthy, productive way.  The question is when you […]

Sometimes divorce means saying goodbye to more than just your spouse. In the State of Washington, dogs, cats, and other household animals are considered personal property. Accordingly, when it comes to pets, as part of the division of assets in a divorce case the court must decide who gets to keep our furry friends, without […]

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 […]

You may either agree, or be court-ordered, to undergo a Parenting Evaluation if child custody is disputed in your family law case.  A Parenting Evaluation involves a neutral evaluator who will conduct an investigation and make recommendations to the court as to what is in the children’s best interests.  The evaluator will meet with the […]

When you get a divorce in Washington, you can ask the court to change your surname as part of the proceedings.  While you can change it to any name your heart desires, the common course of events involves restoring one’s maiden name.  Sometimes a parent may want to change the surname of their child as […]

If you have children, your relationship with your ex isn’t over once the divorce is final; you will need to have a solid co-parenting relationship.  Some people fall into this easily, but for others it’s a struggle, especially if the divorce was contentious. The truth is that your ex might never be your favorite person […]

Marriage is hard. Divorce is hard.  Marriage with a high needs kid is harder.  Divorce with a high needs kid is harder—and most of all for the high needs kid. My husband and I are blessed with two children.  My oldest has been diagnosed with what used to be deemed Asperger’s but is now simply […]

It’s been a long, hard year, but things are now starting to open up again, which has many people thinking about that first post-vaccine vacation.  However, there are a few things to consider in planning a safe vacation.  Even if everyone in your family has been vaccinated, make sure to discuss your travel plans with […]

Success is not a single achievement, it is a series of continued improvements. When going through a divorce, you may want to turn your fate over to your attorney and courts and hope for the best. However, you play a unique role in the outcome and must be an active thinker and smart participant. What […]

The decision to sever a child’s relations with his or her natural parent is not to be taken lightly.  It has been said that “[a]n order terminating parental rights deprives children of their right to financial support, their right to companionship and guidance, their right of inheritance, and their right to Social Security benefits in […]

Other states have alimony, but in Washington State, we call spousal support or alimony “spousal maintenance.”  Here is a quick overview of spousal maintenance in Washington State so that you can be prepared for that first meeting with your divorce attorney. What is it? Spousal maintenance is a monthly payment by one spouse to another […]