Pension and retirement benefits are generally considered property subject to distribution by the Court in a dissolution action, whether or not the benefits are vested. The law considers these benefits to represent deferred compensation. This means they were accrued during the marriage and belong to the marital community, rather than to the spouse whose employment […]
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.
Risks of “Do It Yourself Divorce”
We live in a society that likes to “do it yourself”. This can save you time and money in many circumstances, especially in home improvement projects. Today, many people also try to do a do it yourself divorce, without the necessity of an attorney. This is much easier to do today, especially in Washington, as […]
Selecting a Washington Divorce Lawyer
A. Introduction Selecting a divorce lawyer to represent you in your divorce is more than just picking a name; it means establishing a close and sensitive relationship that will continue for months and perhaps years. It is important to find and hire the person who is right for you and your case. B. Getting Names […]
Service of Process
Why is service in a legal action so important? We have a constitutional right to due process. That means you have to receive notice of a legal action against you so that you have the right to respond and contest it. The way you get notice is by being personally served with a copy of […]
Settlement Conference
Divorce: How to Prepare for a Settlement Conference Frequently in a divorce, the parties engage in a settlement conference prior to trial in hopes of settling the case and avoiding a trial, saving the financial and emotional cost of trial. Settlement conferences usually have a settlement conference master who is independent (often a retired judge […]
Seven Divorce Tips
Family Law: Divorce Tips If you are considering filing for divorce, below are 7 divorce tips to consider doing before filing: Copy Important Records: Make copies of important records such as tax returns with all schedules (at least three tax years), pay stubs, bank records (account statements and checking account registers), investment records, title/deeds for […]
Social Security Benefits
Family Law: Social Security Benefits After Divorce Why Stay Married For Ten Years? If your marriage is nearing the ten-year mark, and you’re thinking of getting a divorce, here’s one reason to stick around for a little while–at least if your spouse earns more money than you do. Under current Social Security laws, a divorced […]
Spousal Maintenance
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. In determining the amount of maintenance to be awarded, the Washington Court may examine the need of the party requesting alimony as […]
Study Of Parenting Act
Family Law: Study of Parenting Act in Washington In response to criticisms of the Washington State Parenting Act, in early 1998 the Washington State Supreme Court Gender and Justice Commission and the Domestic Relations Commission commissioned a study of the Act. The overarching goal of this study was to gather information about how parents seeking […]
Supervised Visitation
Family Law: Supervised Visitation in Washington If there has been inappropriate conduct on the part of a parent, the court can suspend visitation if it is serious enough and any contact would be harmful to the child. The court however will want to make the restrictions as little intrusive as possible while still providing adequate […]