Collaboration sounds nice…. but in the context of divorce, is there such a thing? Collaborative divorce is an out-of-court method of coming to a resolution on the issues involved in a divorce: custody, division of assets, spousal support, parenting plans, etc. Collaborative divorce requires a special participation agreement in which both spouses commit to specific…
Finding the ideal divorce attorney is different that finding, let’s say, the perfect criminal defense lawyer. Divorce is a complicated, personal event that encompasses various aspects of finances, family, and, often, heartbreak. To pursue a path towards divorce you need someone who is the right fit to lead that journey. What are the most important…
Sadly, your marriage or domestic partnership is ending. Your reality now includes understanding what is alimony, who pays whom, how much, and for how long. Here is what you need to know about alimony. What is Alimony? Alimony, also called ‘spousal support,’ is money paid by one spouse to the other to help the other…
You and your partner have decided to split. You’ve thought this through, perhaps gone to couples therapy, and maybe you are even past legal separation (which is not a prerequisite to divorce but it can be an alternative, and it can be done by court order). At this point divorce is a certainty. In that…
In a hurry to get unhitched? Well, if you live in Washington, and want to divorce in Washington, you may have to slow your roll – a bit. The minimum waiting time is 90 days. That is, after the Petition for Dissolution is filed and served on the non-filing spouse, the clock starts ticking. If…
During the course of a bitter divorce, some people are tempted to be less than truthful about their actual financial state in order to avoid paying money for spousal support to keep a greater share of property. While this practice is unfortunately common, failing to declare all of your assets and sources of income on…
For many people, divorce is a long time in the making. If you believe that your relationship is headed towards divorce, knowing when to consult with an attorney is almost as important as choosing the right attorney for your case. If you are the person initiating the divorce, you should consult with an attorney before…
Going through the divorce process is often an emotional and trying time. The decision to hire an attorney is an important first step that can be intimidating for some people. Many would prefer to first meet with their attorney with a friend or relative for support or comfort. If you are considering bringing someone to…
For many stepparents, their new partner’s children are as much a part of their new family as any of his or her biological children. Stepparents can help fill a parental role in their stepchild’s life, and often form lasting familial bonds with their stepchildren. When a stepparent and a biological parent separate, any children involved…