Washington is a community property state, which means all assets acquired during a marriage are considered to be owned by both spouses. It doesn’t matter if those assets are tangible or intangible. However, it is usually the tangible assets such as the home, funds in...
Divorce
How will your divorce affect your child’s college plans?
Whether your children are young or already in high school, your divorce agreement may involve many decisions about their future. You and your ex may have some challenges ironing out the parenting plans, holiday schedules and other custody matters. Ideally, neither of...
In a DIY world, why hire a divorce attorney?
There are certain projects the average person can complete satisfactorily on their own without consulting professionals, and there are others where the do-it-yourself mentality may not serve them well. A DIY divorce, for example, may not be in one’s best interests....
Choosing who you will be after your divorce
What's in a name? Your last name could represent many things. If you kept your maiden name when you got married, it could represent your family legacy or your professional reputation in the Federal Way and Seattle area. If you took your spouse's name, it could...
How to help your children through your divorce
If you and your spouse decide to get divorced, you might be more concerned with how your kids will cope with it than how you yourself will. Seeing parents get divorced can be traumatizing for children and it’s important to take their thoughts and feelings seriously in...
What is considered community property in a divorce?
Many states follow the equitable distribution method for asset division when couples divorce. Washington, however, sets community property as the rule of law, which can be a bit confusing to some. What is and what is not considered community property? What qualifies...
Understanding the complexities of a high asset divorce
On the surface, divorce proceedings for high net worth couples are the same as other divorces; assets are disclosed, valued and divided. However, what makes them much different is that many of the assets involved are more complicated. These relationships often contain...
Protect yourself and your finances when getting a divorce
It is estimated that 40% to 50% of marriages unfortunately do not last. But since no plans for a future divorce, many spouses do not take the proper steps to protect themselves or their finances should a divorce occur. If a divorce is necessary down the line, some...
Is there a right time to get a divorce?
Ending a marriage is a difficult decision to make for many reasons. Aside from accepting that the relationship is over, spouses basically have to start much of their lives over — figuring out where to live, how to manage finances, who will take care of the kids and so...
The divorce process doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg
One of the biggest worries people have when considering ending their marriages is the effect it will have on their finances. Divorce can be expensive, but it is possible to ensure it doesn’t cost the proverbial arm and a leg. Washington residents who are preparing to...