News Category: Blog Articles
Fighting for Fido – the Disposition of Pets in Divorce in Washington State
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
Lasher Holzapfel Sperry & Ebberson Announces Appointment of Lisa Ann Sharpe as Co-Chair of American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Business Valuation Resources (BVR) Committee
Lasher Holzapfel Sperry & Ebberson is pleased to announce that Family Law principal, Lisa Ann Sharpe, has agreed to serve as Co-Chair of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) BVR Committee for the coming year. The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers was founded in 1962, by highly regarded domestic relations attorneys “to provide leadership
Divorce in Washington – Cheating and Infidelity: Why Washington State is a No Fault Divorce State
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
Divorce in Washington: Do’s and Don’ts of How to Prepare for your Parenting Evaluation
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
LASHER HOLZAPFEL SPERRY & EBBERSON IS PROUD TO BE HOME TO TWO OF SEATTLE’S TOP 100 SUPER LAWYERS
Lasher Holzapfel Sperry & Ebberson PLLC is proud to announce that both Linda Kelley Ebberson and Lisa Ann Sharpe have once again been named to the Top 100 Washington Super Lawyers. In addition, both Ebberson and Sharpe have been included on the Top 50 Women Washington Super Lawyer list for the past ten years. “I
WHAT IS AN ESTATE PLAN? DO I NEED ONE?
What is an Estate Plan? An Estate Plan is a set of legal documents that memorialize how you want your assets distributed at your death. A good Estate Plan will also include documents that provide for options to manage your assets and health during your life if you are unable to do so yourself. Estate
Divorced With Children? How to Change Your Child’s Surname
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
Who Pays for Attorneys Fees in Litigation?
One of the first questions asked of me by clients when considering litigation is, “Can I make the other side pay for my attorney’s fees?” In Washington State, the answer to that question is generally no. This is referred to as the “American Rule.” Courts have reiterated their support for the American Rule because (1)
The Accidental Partnership: What to Know if You Have Unwittingly Formed a Business
One day you are sitting with your friend brainstorming different ideas for your new startup business and before you know it you have a name, marketing and social media accounts, and a lease for your store front. In the excitement of putting together a business, you never formalize (in writing) the structure of the business,
Five Tips to Building a Positive Co-Parent Relationship after Divorce
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