Family Law: Attorney Fees In family law actions (divorce, legal separation or declaration of invalidity), it is typical for the Court to address the issue of attorney fees. By statute, if one party has a need, and the other party has the ability to pay, the Court will order that party to pay a reasonable […]
General information and resources related to the Family Law practice.
Community Property
What is Community Property? Washington is a Community property state. Upon dissolution, the Court must distribute all the property owned by the parties between them (both community and separate). The Court first determines whether the property is characterized as community property or separate property. Separate property is that which one spouse owned before the marriage […]
Cost of Attorney Fees
In our office, we do our work on an hourly basis. The hourly rate depends upon attorney representing you. We have two (2) attorneys to chose from, Peter W. Mogren and Michelle R. Ahrens. In most cases, we require an advanced fee deposit to be paid. This deposit goes into our trust account, which means […]
Counseling in Divorce
Family Law: Counseling in Divorce Purposes of Counseling: Here are some ways that counseling can benefit you and members of your family: Helping you help your children through the breakup of their family. How you act and what you say during the divorce affects your children. Your conduct makes a big difference in how your […]
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? […]
Domestic Violence
Criminal Defense: Domestic Violence The law defines domestic violence as criminal acts committed by a family or household member against another. A “family or household member” is defined as persons who are now or have been married or lived together, who have been or are involved in a dating relationship, and people who have a […]
Family Law Definitions
When you are considering a separation or dissolution, you hear a lot of confusing words you may not be familiar with. Below are some shorthand family law definitions for your use, not meant to be the final word on the law. Affidavit: Written testimony under oath – usually sworn to in front of a notary. […]
Gender Justice in Washington
Family Law: Study of Gender Justice in the Court of Washington In 1989, the Washington State Task Force on Gender Justice in the Courts issued its final report after a 20 month study of the extent and consequences of gender bias in the Washington State Courts, along with its recommendations. This extensive study (several hundred […]
Grounds for Divorce
Family Law: Grounds for Divorce in Washington What are the grounds for divorce or dissolution of marriage in Washington? Washington is a no-fault divorce state. That means that you do not have to prove any specific grounds for a divorce. The only legal basis for a dissolution of marriage (divorce) in the State of Washington […]
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