News Category: Family Law
Seven Things to Do Before Announcing Your Intent to Divorce
Your divorce can be one of the most important business decisions that you make in your lifetime. Whether you have years of employment ahead, have stayed home to support the household, or are nearing retirement, a divorce is a life event with long lasting personal, emotional, and financial implications. Some couples are quick to call
DIVORCE DURING COVID – TOP 5 ISSUES TO WATCH
We have all read the headlines that divorce rates are increasing worldwide and those rates are not expected to be dropping soon. The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed many of us to our limits. People are stressed out and locked down, which has put pressure on relationships that may have already been holding on by a
Easy as 1, 2, 3, 4: How to Legally Change your Name
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
Lasher Holzapfel Sperry & Ebberson is Pleased to Welcome a New Attorney to its Seattle Office
William B. Reingold, Jr. Joins LHSE Family Law Practice Group Will joins the firm directly from North Carolina, where he was completing a Judicial Clerkship for North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge Valerie Zachary. In that role, Will researched cases and law, analyzed legal arguments and drafted written opinions. Will brings legal experience, creative problem-solving,
Law Provides Much-Needed Relief from Abusive Litigation by Domestic Violence Perpetrators
In March 2020, the Washington State Legislature passed legislation against “abusive litigation.” Abusive litigation is regularly perpetrated by domestic violence abusers and has been referred to as “legal bullying.” . In addressing this problem, the Legislature recognized that family law cases including dissolutions, legal separations, parenting plan actions, and protection order proceedings are commonplace for
If You Rip up a Signed Prenuptial Agreement in Washington State, Does it Mean that Your Prenuptial Agreement is Legally Null and Void?
Tearing up a prenuptial agreement has made national news in music mogul Dr. Dre’s divorce in California, but how would Washington State courts treat the issue? In Los Angeles, Dr. Dre’s wife, Nicole Young, says that Dr. Dre tore up multiple copies of their prenuptial agreement and they both verbally agreed it was no longer
Can Relaxed Retirement Plan Withdrawal Rules Help Settle Your Divorce?
The new CARES Act has relaxed retirement account withdrawal rules for some retirement plans due to COVID-19 related reasons. These relaxed withdrawal rules apply to IRA, 401(k), and other “eligible retirement plans” as defined by the CARES Act. COVID-19 has disrupted life for all of us, with tens of millions of Americans losing jobs because
Pro Tips for Virtual Mediation in Divorce
In the shadow of COVID-19, change in the way that lawyers resolve cases has become a necessity. In the area of Family Law, and in divorce cases, social distancing and quarantine have altered the tools used to assist parties with their disputes. Pre-pandemic, more than 90 percent of divorce cases settled prior to trial. With
Divorcing During COVID-19? It is more important than ever to get an estate plan in place.
If you are going through a separation and/or divorce, it is important to review your estate plan as early as possible. In Washington State, you can start your estate planning when you know that you intend to file for divorce. You can also draft a new Will while a divorce is pending. Even with an
Lasher Family Law in the Time of the COVID-19 Crisis
The Family Law Practice Group of LHS&E is virtual! Thanks to remote access, electronic files, secure document sharing, and meetings via Zoom as well as conference calls we are able to near seamlessly continue to serve our clients. We are closely monitoring State, County, and Court issued Emergency Orders directly and via information exchanges on