Legal Steps LGBTQ Couples Can Take to Protect their Families
LGBTQ families are understandably concerned about how a second Trump administration might impact their rights, especially given that it is likely that the administration will appoint additional conservative judges who could potentially influence decisions regarding LGBTQ rights. With the appointment of additional conservative judges, it isn’t unreasonable to think that conservative groups might be emboldened […]
Divorce When You Own Property in Multiple States
If you are a high-net-worth couple, a military couple, or have lived in multiple states during your marriage, you and your partner might own property in multiple states or may have purchased property out of state. According to the United States Census, 8.2 million people moved from one state to another in 2022. Couples who […]
Low-Cost Flat Fee Divorce in Washington: What You Need to Know
According to Forbes, the median cost of a divorce in Washington state is $8,399.17. It’s no wonder many couples have been exploring low-cost flat fee divorce or “online divorce” options in Washington state. And while it is true that in some situations hiring a divorce lawyer can be expensive, it is also important to remember […]
Last Will and Testament Templates: Should You Use One?
In most circumstances, online last will and testament templates can result in a valid will, provided the document is properly executed. Yet it might still be wise to have your will reviewed by a lawyer. There is a difference between a valid will and the best possible estate plan for your situation. A Washington lawyer […]
Probate in Washington State
Probate is the court-supervised process by which an estate is administered after a person passes away. Assets must be accounted for, located, and in some cases, appraised. Valid debts must be paid, and creditors must be notified. Taxes must be paid. Any issues about the will or family disputes regarding the estate are also addressed […]
Duties of an Executor in the State of Washington
Being named the executor of an estate can be a major undertaking. Executors have a responsibility to the estate, to heirs, and to beneficiaries to manage the estate responsibly. In Washington state, an executor is also known as a personal representative and is tasked with handling a deceased person’s financial affairs, including settling debts, paying […]
How Getting Remarried Affects Alimony
If you are currently receiving alimony and are thinking about getting remarried, you’ll want to take a close look at your divorce settlement and spousal maintenance decree. Unless you and your former partner explicitly agreed in your divorce settlement or spousal maintenance decree that remarriage wouldn’t affect your former partner’s obligation to continue to pay […]
Living apart from your spouse while staying married
If you are thinking of living physically apart from your spouse, while still staying married, you are not alone. Nearly four million married Americans live apart from their spouses, and while a significant proportion of couples who live apart while married include military spouses, more couples are living apart by choice. The “Living Apart Together” […]
My Ex Badmouths Me to the Kids; Is this Parental Alienation?
When divorce brings up feelings of resentment, anger, sadness, or hurt, it’s common for children to get caught in the crossfire. In a moment of anger, a parent might share a negative comment about the other parent with the children. And sometimes during a divorce, or even after, parents can carry so much resentment toward […]
How Infidelity Can Impact A Divorce
Washington is a no-fault divorce state. If your only grievance when filing for divorce is that your partner cheated on you, don’t expect to be able to punish your spouse through your divorce settlement. Unlike some states that allow for fault-based divorce, where a judge can take a spouse’s infidelity into account when ruling on […]