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…
During the beginning stages of a marriage, no one wants to think about divorce. However, the statistics are clear, and nearly half the couples who marry will eventually split up. With that in mind, couples are smart to plan for the financial consequences of a potential divorce, even if the marriage is currently healthy. Understanding…
Couples who are wealthy or own a significant amount of property often face issues in divorce which are much different than couples who have more modest means. Normal divorce issues like splitting up assets to deciding on parenting time and child support are much more complicated when the couple is dealing with hundreds of thousands…
In 2012, the Washington Supreme Court made the state the first in the country to allow non-lawyers to practice law in limited areas, namely, family law. The changes to the rules led to the creation of a new designation of legal professionals known as Limited Licensed Legal Technicians (LLLTs). LLLT Program To become an LLLT,…
There are many advantages in life to having a high net worth. Unfortunately, quick and easy divorces are often not one of them. Divorce between couples who are worth a significant amount of money takes skillful planning and negotiation. If you are concerned that your net worth may be affected by your divorce, read on…
Divorce is never easy even in the best of circumstances. When your spouse is dealing with a physical disability or a mental illness, the guilt associated with leaving him or her can be overwhelming. If you are considering filing divorce from someone who is ill, make sure you are prepared for the additional emotional costs…
January is the most popular month of the year for couples to file for divorce. Many people who are considering splitting up wait until after the holidays to file, so that their family Christmas and New Year celebrations are not ruined by the looming shadow of divorce. While getting divorced in January may feel like…
Marriages may not always last for decades, but some debts do. When a married couple who owns a house divorce, the mortgage debt often exists for longer than the marriage. During a divorce, couples need to be aware of the long-term consequences of their mortgage before deciding on what should happen to the house. Mortgages…
Not everyone is satisfied after a judge makes a ruling during a family law or divorce case. Often, parents and spouses wonder if they have the right to appeal an unfavorable decision to a higher court. While in some situations an appeal is warranted, it is usually difficult to overturn a ruling without solid evidence…