Washington Divorce

When health issues arise, they can put a significant strain on a marriage. But what happens when those health problems contribute to the breakdown of the relationship and the couple decides to divorce? The impact of health challenges on the divorce process can be...

We all say things we later regret when we're upset. However, during a divorce, certain statements can cause serious problems that follow you long after the paperwork is final. In Washington state, what you say matters - both in and out of the courtroom. Understanding...

Over the last year, some political figures have called for the end of “no-fault” divorce. No-fault divorce is a standard across all states, and most divorces that happen each year fall into that category. Ending no-fault divorce would mean an upheaval to family law...

Each couple preparing for divorce in Washington has unique circumstances. Every household is different, and every family has specific issues to address. Some people eventually decide to divorce because of a spouse's mental health challenges. Perhaps a loved one's...

Your digital footprints can reveal a lot about your life. If you scroll through the settings on your phone, you may find a growing digital trail of breadcrumbs. Even the most tech-savvy can miss something on their phone that can be utilized as evidence in a divorce or custody case. Here are a few of the major types of digital evidence and how opposing parties can use them against you: Location Tagging Location tagging, often enabled by default on smartphones and social media apps, can provide a detailed account of one’s whereabouts. This is obviously an issue if there are concerns on one side about infidelity, as location tracking can easily build a picture of the people you interact with. However, location tagging can say just as much about where you aren’t as where you are. If there is significant location history of you being out of state or not in attendance at important events for you children, it could impact your custody questions. Photos Photos, especially those shared on social media, can be a treasure trove of information in divorce cases. They can provide context, timelines, and sometimes even evidence of undisclosed assets or relationships. One major factor that […]

Over the decades, families have changed significantly in structure and makeup. Family law has, at times, struggled to keep up. In just the last ten years, gay marriage was nationally legalized, trans rights have become a major focus and adoption and fertility practices have come under scrutiny. The changes in society always outpace legislation in some ways, but laws in Washington are broadly applicable and can accommodate many of the newer struggles facing families. Washington state custody laws for unmarried parents The single most fundamental change in families is how often unmarried couples choose to have children. Most states worded child custody laws around marriages, legal separation and divorce. However, couples without that relationship history are different in fundamental ways, but statutorily, the laws can still apply in such situations as: Paternity questions Residential schedule Vacations Child support Relocations visitation rights joint custody Modifications In fact, in support or permanent parenting plan discussion, marriage or parental relationship statuses are beyond the scope of the discussion. The primary focus in these discussions is always the best interests of the child. Special concerns for non-parent custody situations Unmarried parents, while the fastest growing segment, aren’t the only group with serious custody concerns […]

Washington operates under community property guidelines when a married couple decides to part ways. Spouses must split all marital assets and liabilities 50/50 as part of a settlement. This can lead to complications in a divorce if one spouse is trying to beat the system by hiding assets. If you suspect your ex of stashing cash or attempting to manipulate the disclosure process, a forensics accountant can help. A forensics accountant is not an attorney but is able to assist a divorce attorney during the discovery stage, which is when spouses must fully disclose a list of marital property and any debts incurred during marriage that exist when one files a divorce petition. If you think your spouse is concealing assets, underestimating their value or otherwise trying to deceive the court, a forensics accountant can help ensure that the deposition is properly prepared and that no stone is unturned during the discovery process. Forensics accountants can track financial transactions for a divorce client Forensics is a specialty field in the financial industry. Accountants trained in forensics can scrutinize an individual’s financial transactions. They can obtain documentation related to your spouse’s existing financial accounts. A financial forensics investigator can deal with […]

When a pair of Washington spouses ends their relationship, it’s not uncommon for them to encounter challenges as they negotiate a settlement. This is especially true for spouses who are parents together. Divorce is never easy, but it’s possible to achieve a fair settlement in an amicable fashion when both parties are willing to cooperate and compromise as needed. But what if one is a narcissist? If you are separating from a spouse who exhibits narcissistic behavior, you’ll have your work cut out to protect your interests and emotional health. Remember that most narcissists see themselves as victims. If you file for a divorce, your narcissistic spouse might view the situation as something “being done” to him or her. This means that he or she will likely see proceedings from an adversarial perspective. A swift and amicable settlement may not be the way your divorce unfolds, which is why you’ll want to arm yourself with information and know-how to protect your interests, and more importantly, to avoid letting the narcissist upset your mental and emotional health. A narcissist might try to pull tricks in a divorce A narcissist wants total control over life’s events (and people). Your ex may resort […]

Whether you’ve moved for work, family, or simply a change of scenery, transitioning to a new state comes with a host of considerations—especially if you’re contemplating a divorce. While you can get a divorce in Washington State as a new resident, there are several steps you must take to establish residency. How to establish residency in Washington? Washington is unique in that it does not specify a minimum duration of residency before you can file for divorce. Instead, you must provide evidence that you intend to make Washington your home. This can be demonstrated through actions like obtaining a Washington driver’s license, registering to vote, or purchasing property. If you can establish residency, then you must choose how to proceed with the rest of your divorce under Washington law. A quick overview of how divorce works in Washington Every state has unique legal procedures when it comes to divorce. A key difference for Washington divorces is that the state is a community property state. This means that, by state law, all assets and debts belong to both spouses. Therefore, during a divorce, the division is typically 50/50 unless there’s a strong reason to go against the standard. Additionally, Washington maintains […]