Protecting Your Finances During Your Divorce

Divorce is an emotional process, and all too often, individuals involved in divorce tend to make decisions that are not in their best interests, especially when it comes to finances. Unfortunately, financial fallout from divorce is more common than not, and it can take years to rebuild your financial health following a divorce. By taking…

Does My Spouse Have to Agree for Me to Get Divorced?

In the state of Washington, divorce is “no fault,” which means that the only legal ground for divorce is an “irretrievable breakdown” of the marriage. An irretrievable breakdown simply means that the couple’s marriage is permanently broken and cannot be repaired. Since Washington is a no-fault divorce state, it is unnecessary for both spouses to…

Do I Have to Pay for My Child’s College Expenses?

Under Washington law, a parent must pay child support until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later. Once that child has graduated, however, he or she may wish to go on to college. It can be difficult for parents in an intact marriage to determine how to pay for college…

Does My Child Get to Express an Opinion About Custody?

In the state of Washington, the child’s preferences are one of the factors that a court will consider in making a determination about the contents of a parenting plan, which includes custody and visitation. The court may give more weight to a child’s opinion if the child is older and sufficiently mature to express a…

Can I Get Genetic Testing for My Child?

Genetic testing occurs in the context of a parentage or paternity action, which is a formal legal proceeding in which a male can establish legal rights to a child as his or her biological father. Either the mother of the child or the alleged father begins a parentage action by filing a petition to establish…

Factors Relevant to the Custody of a Child

Like most states’ laws, Washington’s laws about child custody cases focus on the best interest of the child. There are a variety of factors that contribute to a child’s best interest, and a judge must consider those factors that are relevant in determining what custody and visitation arrangements are best for a child. The goal…

Will My Sexual Orientation Impact My Custody Case?

The Washington Supreme Court recently considered this exact issue and issued a ruling earlier this year that all Washington trial courts now must follow. Previously, the relevant Washington law contained a loophole that arguably allowed a judge to favor a heterosexual parent over a gay parent. According to the Supreme Court, a court in the…