How to Talk to Your Spouse About a Collaborative Divorce
As collaborative divorce lawyers, we meet many clients who want an amicable divorce, and who have chosen the collaborative divorce process to achieve that goal. With collaborative divorce, both spouses agree to settle their divorce outside court through collaborative negotiation. But, because both spouses agree to approach their divorce collaboratively, there must be “buy in” […]
You’ve Been Served Divorce Papers: Now What?
If you’ve been served divorce papers, you might be wondering what your next steps should be. In this article, we’ll help you understand your rights and responsibilities if you’ve received divorce papers and offer a general overview of the divorce process itself. If you haven’t hired a divorce lawyer to represent you yet, you might […]
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 […]
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 […]
When Can I Get My Spouse to Pay My Attorneys’ Fees During Washington Divorce
Divorce can be expensive. Not only is divorce a major emotional decision, but it involves many financial decisions, one of which is whether to hire a lawyer. One of the questions that you might consider as you research divorce attorneys are attorney’s fees and whether you can afford a lawyer. Because attorney’s fees can add […]
Medical Divorce in Washington
Prior to the passage of the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion, couples sometimes faced wrenching decisions when one partner was diagnosed with a chronic or progressive illness, like Alzheimer’s or dementia. A New York Times article published in 2009 tells such a story. A woman faced the choice of losing her inheritance or divorcing her […]
Collaborative Military Divorce
Military divorce raises unique challenges. If you’re filing for divorce when one or both parties is in the military, you and your former partner will likely need to consider some of the typical divorce challenges couples face, like dividing assets, creating a parenting plan, and setting child support, while also possibly changing your retirement plan. […]
Collaborative Divorce Over 50 in Washington State
If you’re over 50 and thinking about getting divorced in Washington, you’re not alone. According to The Journals of Gerontology, 36% of adults getting divorced in the U.S. are over 50. “Gray divorces” raise unique legal challenges. Many couples amass wealth through retirement accounts, pension plans, and through equity in a family home. Because of […]