Insight, Analysis, and Perspective for Businesses and Individuals

From time to time a person may want to change their name—maybe their first name, or maybe their full legal name.  Maybe it is for a serious and legitimate reason (perhaps they have married), or maybe it is for a more whimsical reason (Instagram stardom?).  If you go by what you see on TV, you […]

In a divorce, the judge will have to divide your marital property and debts between the spouses.  The division must be “just and equitable” under the circumstances of the relationship.  But can an unmarried couples receive a just and equitable division of property after breaking up?  Under the right circumstances, the answer in Washington is […]

Around the world there are millions of people who rely on insurance for homes and vehicles to celebrity body parts.  Nowadays, there is even insurance to cover the postponement or cancellation of one’s wedding.  Ironically, the average couple prefers to forgo the “marriage insurance” a proper prenuptial agreement can provide because of the stigma associated […]

The Washington State legislature defines a “Parenting Plan” as “a plan for parenting the child, including allocation of parenting functions, which plan is incorporated in any final decree or decree of modification in an action for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, declaration of invalidity, or legal separation.” Setting forth various procedures and responsibilities the […]

It can feel overwhelming going through a divorce when you have children. There are so many things to consider that it can be tough to know where to start. If you have children under age 18 and are getting divorced in Washington State, you will need a parenting plan. You can think of a parenting […]

How does the court decide issues of child custody? Washington uses “the best interests of the child” standard when it comes to decisions about child custody. Under statutory policy, the State recognizes that the best interests of a child “is ordinarily served when the existing pattern of interaction between a parent and child is altered […]

In many states, child support obligations do not extend past either the age of 18 or the child’s graduation from high school.  In Washington, however, a parent can file a petition to continue child support after the child turns age 18 and while the child is enrolled in college or vocational school.  This is known […]

Both parents have a duty to support their child regardless of marital status.  Child support is designed with the primary goal of preventing a harmful reduction in a child’s standard of living, in the best interests of children whose parents are divorced.[1]  The Washington Supreme Court has ruled that parental duties entail these minimum attributes: […]

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 […]

In a divorce or legal separation, the trial court must order a “just and equitable” distribution of the parties’ property and liabilities, whether community or separate.[1]  All property is before the court for distribution.[2]  The pertinent statute addressing property division—RCW 26.09.080—mandates that the court consider the following factors: (1) the nature and extent of the […]

What are tech divorces and their unique challenges?  A “tech divorce” is not a formal legal term, but refers to a divorce involving a couple who work in the technology industry or have significant assets tied to technology companies.  It underscores the unique challenges that couples in the technology industry may face during divorce proceedings, […]

Are you navigating the maze of business valuation in your divorce? Business valuation in divorce is the process of determining the monetary value of a business or business interests owned by one or both spouses. It is a crucial step in equitable property division when a couple decides to end their marriage. This valuation is […]