News Category: Family Law
Estate Planning in the 21st Century
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
Not Married, Not a Problem: Washington State’s “Committed Intimate Relationship” Doctrine Provides a Means for Some Unmarried Couples to Have Their Property Divided Just Like in a Regular Divorce
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
Seven Things to Consider about Prenuptial Agreements
Prenuptial agreements (prenups) are no longer the sole domain of the rich and famous. There are many reasons why more couples consider one as they enter into marriage. Each prenup is tailored to the needs, desires, and circumstances of the parties involved. What follows are some common factors to help you determine whether you would
5 Tips for Successful Dispute Resolution During Divorce
“Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.” ~Winston Churchill It’s easy to instinctively shy away from conflict and with good reason – given the choice, most people would rather resolve disputes in a healthy, productive way. The question is when you
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
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