Collaborative Divorce: Divorce Without The Courtroom

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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

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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

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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.

Top Nine Questions Divorce Clients Need to Ask

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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.

Divorcing a Missing, Out of State or Uncooperative Spouse

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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.

Legal Separation vs. Divorce: What to Choose in Washington

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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.

Divorce by Mail in Washington State: The Ultimate Guide

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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

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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

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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.

Divorce Tax Return Q&A: Tips to Simplify Tax Season

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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.