Insight, Analysis, and Perspective for Businesses and Individuals

Ask any good attorney a question, and you will probably be given the following response: “It depends.”  The answer usually serves as a preface to a more thorough discussion about the specific facts of your case, what the issues are, and a general risk assessment based on the legal grounds you are traversing.  This blog […]

With Roe v. Wade overruled, people are aptly concerned that the constitutionality of same-sex marriage may be in jeopardy.  That fear is exacerbated by Justice Thomas’ concurrence in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, insisting that the Supreme Court’s rationale for overruling Roe be applied to Obergefell v. Hodges’ conclusion that the Due Process Clause […]

If a family law case proceeded to trial or ended in any way other than a settlement, then chances are one (or both) of the parties is unhappy with the result.  Perhaps one party feels like an important aspect of his or her case did not go their way; or perhaps the other party believes […]

A divorce can be a very public affair. In Washington State, divorce filings are generally publicly available documents. For many divorcing spouses with a high net worth, maintaining financial privacy is a primary concern. For other divorcing spouses, it may be the “dirty laundry” that they want to keep private. This is especially true if […]

In a prior blogpost, I discussed Washington State’s Committed Intimate Relationship Doctrine (“CIR”) and outlined the five non-exclusive factors courts consider in determining whether a CIR existed: (1) continuity of cohabitation, (2) duration of relationship, (3) purpose of the relationship, (4) pooling of resources, and (5) intent of the parties. These factors (known as the […]

If you are divorcing with children, there are two primary issues that the court must decide as it relates to your kids. The first is a residential schedule which addresses when your children will physically be with you and when they will be with your spouse. The second is decision-making which deals specifically with how […]

The saying that “the beaten road is the safest” is typically associated with advice not to take unnecessary risks and to play things safe.  In the law,  the notion rings true for courts and their adherence to established precedent and rulings.  Judges follow precedent to promote fairness and uniformity in handing down decisions, that way […]

Civil lawsuits can take a long time.  After the complaint and other initial pleadings are filed, the next phase of the case will typically turn to what is referred to as “discovery.”  Discovery is the mechanism the parties and their attorneys request and exchange information.  For various reasons, it is often a slow and tedious […]

Occasionally, a spouse preparing to go through divorce may attempt to hide assets in order to avoid disclosing and sharing those assets with their soon-to-be ex.  If you’re worried your spouse may be hiding assets, here are six places you should be sure to check: Bogus Debt Payoffs Did your mother-in-law gift you the down […]

When you’re in the throes of a separation or divorce, it is easy to forget the importance of updating your will and your estate plan.  With so much happening in the here and now, things like beneficiary designations and estate planning can feel very much like an “I’ll get to it someday” problem.  However, as […]

On January 1, 2022, the Washington Uniform Electronic Wills Act (“Act”) took effect and in so doing brought estate planning documents into the 21st century.  The Act modifies existing requirements in order to enable people to execute a valid Electronic Will.  The changes allow clients, witnesses, and attorneys to overcome challenges such as lack of […]

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 […]