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Why Choose Truce Law
We want to make the divorce and family law process as simple as possible by giving you the tools and resources you need to find a solution. We do this through collaborative law, mediation and other compromise driven legal options.
Tips to Create a Comfortable Home After Divorce
If you’re worried about how to create a comfortable space you and your children can call home after the divorce is finalized, here are some tips to take into consideration as you move forward.
Is Family Mediation Right For Me?
Family mediation isn’t just for couples that are considering a divorce. Topics that can be addressed in these sessions can include visitation issues, child support, alimony, property division, elder care, the family’s budget, distribution of inherited property, family business succession, and other family matters.
What Happens if the Collaborative Divorce Process Breaks Down?
If the collaborative process fails, it can be a hard blow, both emotionally and financially. Collaborative law rules and participation agreements prohibit the original collaborative attorneys to continue representing their original clients if the case ends up in litigation. You will need to retain a new, experienced divorce attorney and help get them up to speed on the details of your situation.
What is Online Divorce Mediation?
The process of divorce mediation, especially when done online, can seem daunting to clients expecting a more traditional process involving opposing counsel and a day in court. Knowing what to expect and having a more in-depth understanding of the online mediation process can help to create a sense of comfort around the process.
Stimulus Checks, Child Support, & Divorce: What to Know About a Possible Third Stimulus Payment
The impact of the third round of COVID stimulus payments on your divorce depends on a number of relevant factors including applicable court orders and where in the divorce or separation process you and your spouse are.
Collaborative Divorce: Divorce Without The Courtroom
Collaborative divorce is a transparent divorce process, which takes place outside the court system. An attorney represents each spouse, but each attorney agrees not to take the case to trial. Settlement discussions take place with both lawyers and spouses present, with the goal to reach a fair and lasting agreement.
Divorce With Pets: Cat and Dog Custody in Washington
A pet’s life after divorce is dependent on its owners. In the best cases, owners draft their own legal arrangement, which covers pet parenting, vet bills and decision-making. If the issue goes to court, the outcome will depend on the judge. Washington law designates pets as personal property and most times a judge will simply award the pet to one spouse or the other. However, it is becoming more common for judges to treat pets more like family members and consider what is best for the pet.
Name Change After Divorce: Walkthrough to a New Name
You do not have to change your name during a divorce. During the divorce, you have the choice to keep your married name, revert to your maiden name, or choose a new name altogether. You can also change it later on. However, if you’re on the fence know that the process is easier and less expensive if the name change is included as part of the divorce.
Common Law Marriage in WA: Legal Effects of Living Together
Washington courts do award ex-partners certain interests at the end of a relationship. Although the rights of non-married couples are limited, an ex-partner will be entitled to a fair division of community property acquired during the relationship. However, a court must first rule that there was a committed intimate relationship (CIR).
Top Nine Questions Divorce Clients Need to Ask
When I worked on my first divorce case I had a list of my top WA divorce questions and spent hours searching for answers. Since then, I’ve kept track of the most common divorce questions and have compiled the answers below. As someone new to the divorce process you’ll be asking yourself many of the same questions. Here are the top 10 questions I’m asked by clients about divorce in Washington.
Filing for Guardianship in WA: Steps to Protect Your Family
It is possible to become a guardian without an attorney. Keep in mind the process is complicated, so advice from an expert can only help you. Although, if you can’t afford legal fees or you’re just a do it yourselfer with the time to learn, you can file for guardianship on your own. This post is designed to make the process as easy to understand as possible.
Divorcing a Missing, Out of State or Uncooperative Spouse
The process is more complicated, but an uncooperative spouse can’t stop the divorce by ignoring it. If your spouse is missing or out of state you can ask for permission to serve them by publication or mail. If they ignore the papers after being served you can file a motion for default, which asks the court to approve the divorce anyway.
Washington Annulments: Basics of the Divorce Alternative
Washington’s version of an annulment is called a declaration of invalidity. Unlike divorce, which ends a marriage, a declaration of invalidity cancels a marriage. Essentially it wipes it clean from the record like it never occurred in the first place.
Complete Guide to Washington Spousal Support for Non-Lawyers
As of January 1, 2019 spousal support will longer be tax deductible. The spouse paying support will also pay the taxes. Prior to 2019 spousal support was tax deductible. Going forward we’ll need to calculate support in a whole new way. This article covers topics like how to calculate support today, why the pre-2019 support rules still matter, when to use spousal support, and how long payments should last.
Legal Separation vs. Divorce: What to Choose in Washington
Depending on your circumstances, legal separation can be a better option than divorce. For example, legal separation can help you keep health insurance, military benefits & immigration status. However, it is not easy to undo and often overly complicates the process of splitting up.
Guide to Family Mediation in Washington State
Mediation is required in most counties for family law cases, so often it’s in your best interest to start with mediation and see if an agreement is possible. People that mediate within the first thirty days of a conflict end up resolving their issues in less time and typically spend less money than those who put it off. Through mediation I’ve seen entire divorces completed without anyone ever setting foot in a courtroom.
Divorce by Mail in Washington State: The Ultimate Guide
Why would I divorce by mail? Not only is it a low cost divorce choice, but also it can be a huge time saver. Divorce by mail lets you skip court appearances, family law orientation classes, and parenting classes. If you’re eligible to file by mail it’s the simplest solution to divorce for Washington residents.
Do It Yourself Divorce in Washington: The Essential Guide
Anyone can file a DIY divorce in Washington. Online resources, family law facilitators at the courthouse, and attorneys can simplify the paperwork for you. You’ll also find the filing process is straightforward. The real question is should you file your own divorce?
Washington Uncontested Divorce: A Client Friendly Guide
An uncontested divorce occurs when a couple files for divorce and has agreed to terms. Typically an agreement is reached prior to filing the case, but it can occur shortly after if the respondent joins the petition. Keep in mind, an uncontested divorce is different than a settlement, which is an agreement signed at the end of a contested case to avoid trial.
Washington Child Support: How Much & How Long Will I Pay?
In short, your child support payments are determined by a mathematical formula. You can use Washington’s child support economic table to find the total support obligation. Then calculate your share based on the proportion of income you contribute compared to your spouse. Typically payments will last until a child reaches age 18 or graduates from high school.
Divorce Tax Return Q&A: Tips to Simplify Tax Season
Much like winter in Westeros, Tax Day is coming. If you’re divorcing or recently divorced don’t let April 15 stress you out. Here are the top six tax questions related to divorce and the advice you need to ace your post divorce tax return.
Washington Parenting Plan Fundamentals: How to Draft Yours
A parenting plan outlines each parent’s responsibilities after the divorce. The major focus of the plan is to set the times a parent will be with the children, but it covers much more. Other topics include: decision-making authority, transportation and exchange schedules, and dispute resolution plans.