Throughout your marriage, you and your spouse have shared assets and resources. Now that you are divorcing, the court may order you to pay spousal maintenance to help your spouse maintain financial stability. The court awards spousal maintenance, also known as...
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Divorce
Signs that your ex is hiding assets in your divorce
Washington is a community property state, which means that assets acquired in the marriage are joint assets. Courts distribute joint assets equally in divorce settlements in community property states, ensuring both parties fair and equitable treatment. That asset...
Savvy tips on speeding up your divorce
Generally speaking, divorce is an experience most want to finish as fast as possible. While it may be unpleasant, it must happen for both individuals to feel happy once more. The right approach can make dissolving your marriage quicker and easier. For best results,...
Why you don’t have to prove ‘fault’ in divorce anymore
A divorce is not an easy thing to go through, but it is much easier than it used to be. For decades, to get divorced in the U.S., you had to prove that your spouse did something to provide grounds to end the marriage. This was known as fault divorce. The only reasons...
Divorce mediation, communication and the benefit to children
As divorcing parents, you want your children to experience the least amount of stress and anxiety as they move to the next stage of their lives. Consequently, many couples choose mediation over litigation. The focus on communication is one-way mediation can help...
When can you appeal a divorce order in Washington?
If you and your husband or wife have a history of disagreeing, you may not be able to reach a divorce settlement that is acceptable to each of you. With a contested divorce, you ask a judge to weigh in on the division of marital assets, spousal support, child custody,...
Deciding Between Divorce Mediation and Collaborative Divorce
Divorcing couples often feel “sticker shock” when they find out how much it can cost to end a marriage. These days, the cost of litigating a highly contested divorce involving children and property can easily reach six figures. This is one reason why many couples seek...
Who Gets the Family Pet in a Divorce?
Pets are beloved family members in many households. In the event of a divorce, custody issues concerning the family pet can be highly emotional and contentious. While pets are still legally classified as property in Washington State, courts are increasingly departing...
New Washington State Law Replaces Nonparental Custody with Legal Guardianship
Washington State recently adopted new legislation that allows an individual to request “minor guardianship” rather than file for nonparental custody. This new law changes the court process by which an individual can apply for legal guardianship of a child, but doesn’t...
Keeping Personal and Business Assets Separate Can Help Prevent a Messy Divorce
One of the most contentious issues in divorce is the division of marital assets. This can become even more complicated if one or both of the spouses has an ownership stake in a business. While several factors can affect whether a spouse is entitled to receive assets...