Insight, Analysis, and Perspective for Businesses and Individuals

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 […]

Don’t Panic Divorce often feels frightening and overwhelming, especially at the beginning if it came as a surprise. Even if you do not oppose the divorce and were expecting the paperwork, reading a divorce petition for the first time can invoke strong feelings and emotions. Take a deep breath. This is the time to take […]

The start of a new year is a great time to review your current estate plan or consider creating one.  2024 brings a number of opportunities for creating an estate plan, pursuing gifting strategies, and considering philanthropic goals.  Here are a few estate planning opportunities for your consideration this year: Increased Estate, Gift, and Generation-Skipping […]

Why Appeal at All? People appeal their case because they want a better outcome then what they received at trial.  Maybe that means that the appealing party lost a jury verdict, or felt that they didn’t “win” enough at trial.  Perhaps someone in a divorce trial receives 55% of the assets but no spousal support […]

Family courts regularly hear a number of cases involving parties who decide to represent themselves rather than hire an attorney. These parties are known as “pro se” litigants (meaning “for oneself” in Latin). If you are deciding whether to represent yourself or hire an attorney in your family law case, here are some considerations: Pro […]

When faced with a residential construction defect problem—such as water intrusion, poor workmanship, or material/design deficiencies—Washington homeowners are often left wondering whether they have a claim, who is at fault for the construction issues, and what to do if they believe a claim exists.  These are complicated questions that can get even more complicated if […]