Not all of us grew up under the threat of discipline with a belt, a tree switch or a wooden spoon. People were not exposed to corporal punishment and those who believe that the occasional spanking made them stronger people are often diametrically opposed and will rarely agree on what constitutes abuse and what constitutes…
Family vacations are a wonderful time for parents and children to bond over a new adventure. When these vacations take place outside the country, they create shared memories of new and unique experiences which will last a lifetime. When planning to take your children to a foreign country, be aware obtaining a passport for a…
For many people, the idea of filing for either divorce or bankruptcy is terrifying and doing both at the same time may seem like way too much for one couple to bear. However, for couples who incurred a lot of debt during their marriage, filing for bankruptcy before filing for divorce can help each partner…
Getting served with legal papers is never pleasant and can be a nerve-wracking experience even if you knew your spouse was planning on filing for divorce. When your soon-to-be-former spouse has you served with papers, you need to take certain steps to protect your rights before it is too late. Read the Papers The initial…
Supporting a child is a shared responsibility between two parents. When a family court orders your former partner to pay child support, it can be a great relief to know that someone else has a legal responsibility to help you support your child. Unfortunately, some parents do not feel obligated to support their children and…
When you owe child support to your ex, you assume that he or she is using that money to care for your child. Most of the time, this is the case. Not all parents are as responsible as we would like, however, and sometimes parents may waste child support payments on frivolous items. When you…
Most people know when the end of a marriage is coming. During the breakdown of a marriage, both partners may be waiting for the other to finally end the relationship. When a marriage is unsalvageable and the parties are considering a divorce, is there a legal or financial advantage to filing first? Financial Benefits Divorce…
Divorce rates for people over the age of 50 have skyrocketed in the past 30 years. For the first time in history, older adults are more likely to be divorced than they are to be widowed, and the divorce rate is expected to continue climbing as the Baby Boomer generation ages. Dubbed “gray divorces,” the…
Families come in all different shapes and sizes. As a result of divorce, remarriage, or separation, many of today’s Washingtonians have a family that consists of stepchildren, half siblings, or adopted children. While you may view all your children equally, the law will make a distinction between your biological and non-biological children in the event…