Perhaps you didn’t expect your Washington spouse to tell you that he or she was having an affair. You no doubt were also caught off-guard if the next statement your spouse made was that he or she was filing for divorce. In an instant, your whole life changed, and now, you have to figure out how to cope with these changes.
A top priority will likely be finances, especially if you have children. Washington is a community property state, which means property division proceedings are typically conducted by splitting all marital assets and liabilities 50/50 between spouses. If you’re concerned that your spouse might try to beat the system by hiding assets, you’ll want to be on your toes to look for evidence and know what legal steps to protect yourself.
If you happen to be divorcing later in life, then estate planning issues might be a concern. It is a good idea to discuss your concerns with someone well-versed in both divorce issues and estate planning laws in Washington. This way, you can make well-informed decisions and make sure your financial interests are protected as you negotiate a settlement.
The Clement Law Center, in Washington, is committed to providing strong support and guidance to anyone who is preparing for divorce in the new year. Perhaps, it wasn’t part of your initial plans for the coming year, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be able to adapt to a new lifestyle. Having a strong support network is a key to post-divorce success.