Most people are familiar with the concept of expert witnesses through watching legal procedural TV shows like Law & Order. In these types of programs, the expert witness is usually a hired gun who comes into the courtroom with damning evidence that cinches the case for one side or the other. In the actual legal…
After weeks and months of planning, filling out forms, attending hearings and mediations, and negotiating with your ex-spouse, you are finally done and your divorce is finalized. Congratulations! Before you breathe a sigh of relief and put the whole ordeal behind you, make sure that you take all of the necessary steps to comply with…
In the legal world, the month of January marks the beginning of divorce season. For multiple reasons, many couples wait until the beginning of the year to file for divorce, and the month sees a significant spike in new filings each year. While many lawyers have their own theories about the reasons for this increase,…
The decision to change your name after a marriage or divorce is an intensely personal one. Though it is usually women who change their legal names, any person who adopted a new legal name after a marriage may wonder what their rights are to that name in case of a divorce. If you get divorced,…
For parents with children, getting a divorce requires each spouse to make multiple decisions about their children’s futures. When working through a divorce settlement with your spouse, be sure that your plan for child support and visitation addresses each of these ten issues before signing any paperwork. #1: Where Will the Children Live? First and…
Divorce is a stressful and emotional process. Unlike other legal matters, it is not uncommon for couples to reconcile during the divorce process and decide to give their relationship another shot. When a couple decides to call off their divorce, their choice will have certain ramifications depending on how far along their case is. Before…
In some family law cases, a judge will appoint a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) who will be responsible for representing the best interests of a child in court. In a divorce or child custody case, the GAL will be charged with investigating a family situation and making recommendations to the judge about where the child…
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau report, 14.6 million Americans, or one-tenth of the nation’s workforce, identifies as self-employed. With more people working for themselves than ever, calculating child support payments is becoming more complicated. If you or your former spouse is self-employed, be aware of how the court will use employment information to…
After decades of marriage, a couple shares almost everything. In Washington State, a couple who divorces after a lengthy marriage will also have to split nearly everything, including pension accounts. Because Washington is a community property estate, any money earned in a pension or retirement account during a marriage is considered joint property of the…