Once a divorce settlement is signed or entered on the record under CR 2A, a spouse generally cannot back out except in cases of fraud, duress, or mistake. Before that point, either party can renegotiate. After weeks of negotiation, you and your soon-to-be former spouse agree to a divorce settlement which makes everyone happy. All…
Palimony is similar to alimony in that it is typically monthly support payments made by one party to another after a breakup. Palimony is derived from the words “pal” as in friend rather than spouse and “alimony.” With alimony, there is a clearly defined and legal relationship, so alimony is easier to calculate and enforce.…
Do you always need a lawyer for divorce? Not necessarily, but certain situations definitely call for it. Here are 5 signs you should seek outside help.
Every year, more than 2 million marriages take place in the U.S. Over 827,000 divorces take place as well. Are you currently going through a divorce? If so, you might have a lot of questions about the process. For example, you may be wondering, “Do I need a lawyer for divorce?” If you’re not sure…
Washington law provides for the division of debts in a divorce exactly as it provides for the division of property. In other words, debts are to be divided between the spouses in a fair and equitable manner. What “fair and equitable” mean for you depends on the circumstances of your case. Like property, debts are either…
We most often hear about prenuptial agreements in the context of highly publicized celebrity divorces. These cases cause the impression that prenuptial agreements are necessary only for the rich and famous. However, nothing could be farther from the truth. Prenuptial agreements are important for all couples, but even more so for older couples, who are…
Spousal support (also known as spousal maintenance or alimony) is a court order that requires one spouse to pay the other spouse a certain amount of money each month for his or her support. Whether a court orders spousal support depends largely on the paying spouse’s ability to pay and the receiving spouse’s need for…
Washington does provide for the annulment or a “decree of invalidity” of marriages in certain cases. Most people want an annulment because they regret having married their spouses, or if they believe that the marriage was a sham. Annulments are rare and involve asking the court to declare the marriage never legally happened. You may…
According to a 2016 study by the American Bar Association, a majority of people who don’t go to a formal advisor for assistance with a civil justice situation neglect to do so because they believe they have “no need for advice” or that such advice “wouldn’t make a difference.” Getting divorced gives you something in common…