Family law is a broad area of legal practice, including separation, divorce, custody, paternity, support, property division and modifications. It can include many complicated issues like paternity, visitation restrictions, and restraining orders. It can involve many legal issues that cross disciplinary boundaries, such as real estate rights, pensions and retirement plans, income calculation, taxes, child custody issues, and restraining orders. It frequently is one of the most stressful events a person can go through, and involves the shattering of a lifelong dream. The articles written below are offered to give you general background information that may be helpful to you. If you need further assistance in a family law matter, please contact us by phone or email.Family Law: Criteria for Determining Spousal Maintenance in Washington Spousal Maintenance, also known as alimony or spousal support, is designed to provide a means for each party in a divorce to maintain a similar economic lifestyle to that achieved within the marriage. The Washington statute, RCW 26.09.090 sets out the criteria for establishing spousal maintenance […]
Debts in Divorce
Family Law: Debts in Divorce in Washington As part of an action for the dissolution of a marriage, in addition to the division of property, the Court must determine the division of the parties debts and liabilities. The standard the Court uses is not necessarily and equal division of the debts, but a fair and […]
Decision Making in Parenting Plans
Family Law: Decision Making in Parenting Plans Parents have the responsibility to make decisions and perform other parental functions necessary for the care and growth of their minor children. In Washington, a Parenting Plan contains a provision for decision making authority. The Parenting Plan allocates decision making authority solely to one parent or jointly to […]
Deposition in Divorce
In contested cases, a great deal of work goes into preparing the case for trial. Sometimes, it is necessary to conduct a deposition. A deposition is testimony taken under oath (under penalty of perjury) in advance of a trial. Typically, a deposition is taken both to learn information, and to “box” a witness into a […]
Discovery in Washington Divorce
Family Law: Discovery in Divorce (Interrogatories, Deposition, Subpoena) On the procedural level, a divorce entails a number of distinct phases over a period of time. One of the most important phases is known as discovery. At its core, discovery is about revealing details relevant to a particular case. It involves the legal representatives of either […]
Dispute Resolution Options in Parenting Plan
Family Law: Dispute Resolution Options in Parenting Plans Introduction–Three Methods. All parents going through a dissolution learn that the parenting plan required by the Washington State Parenting Act must specify a dispute resolution method as a part of the plan. The dispute resolution section always appears in Part III of the plan, as mandated by […]
Divorce and Taxes
Family Law: Divorce and Taxes Divorce often presents tax issues that need to be resolved, including those relating to property and debt, spousal maintenance, child support and sometimes previously filed (or yet to be filed) tax returns. Because of the complexity and high stakes associated with divorce and taxes, this area is one in which […]
Divorce in Washington
Family Law: Divorce in Washington A dissolution, commonly called divorce, is a formal court proceeding that terminates the marital relationship in Washington. After the Divorce Decree is final, the parties are free to remarry. Either spouse may file for dissolution of marriage in Washington if he or she resides here. Washington is a “no-fault” state, […]
Divorce Myths
Family Law: Divorce Myths There are many common divorce myths that people have heard or assume about what happens in a divorce that are simply not true. Below is a list of some of these divorce myths: Myth 1: Both parties can be represented by the same attorney. This is completely false. Under the ethical […]
Does Divorce Make People Happy?
Family Law: Does Divorce Make People Happy? Findings from a Study of Unhappy Marriages Authors: Linda J. Waite Don Browning William J. Doherty Maggie Gallagher Ye Luo Scott M. Stanley Press Release Embargoed Until July 11, 2002, 10:00 AM EST Contact: Mary Schwarz, T. (212) 246-3942 Major New Study: Does Divorce Make People Happy? […]