Sometimes a couple realizes that their marriage is not working and decides to file a joint petition for divorce. In other cases, one spouse may be unaware that the other is filing for divorce until he or she is served with the paperwork. But what happens if each spouse files his or her own petition…
In Washington State, couples who are engaged to be married have the option of creating a prenuptial agreement. This agreement is a contract between the couple that determines what will happen if they get divorced. A prenuptial agreement can be used to pre-determine the amount of spousal support provided (known as alimony in other states)…
All divorces take time. In Washington State, a divorce must take at least three months because there is a mandatory 90-day waiting period before the divorce can be finalized. Many divorces last much longer, especially if there are conflicts over children or the division of property. As time goes on, anything can happen. If a…
Couples often wonder how divorce will affect their shared property. Washington is a community property state, which means that all property or debts acquired during a marriage belong equally to both partners and must be split between them. But does this split need to be exactly even? In Washington, state law requires judges to split…
Washington State has one of the largest Native American populations in the country. As a result, the state has a robust system of tribal courts than handle many matters, including divorce and child custody issues involving Native American children and adults. What Is a Tribal Court? There are 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington State.…
When divorced parents want to change residences or move with their children, it can be a huge source of conflict. If your ex-spouse is planning to move and take the children, you must act quickly if you want to protect your legal rights. Moving Without a Parenting Plan If your spouse is planning to move,…
The amount of child support a parent has to pay depends on the number of children he or she has, and the amount of money that he or she makes. However, not all income is included in child support calculations. Parents are allowed to deduct certain types of income and expenses from their gross income,…
Not every person who procreates is fit to be a parent. When a parent is abusive or neglectful to his or her children, the state can get involved and can terminate that person’s parental rights. If you are seeking to terminate a person’s parental rights on an involuntary basis, you should be aware of how…
The right of a parent to care for his or her children is one of the most fundamental rights in the American legal system. Both the criminal and civil courts recognize that parental rights are more important than just about any other type of right or privilege, and a parent’s right to raise a child…