Walla Walla Family Lawyer
If your family is in need of assistance through a separation or other legal matter, a Walla Walla family lawyer may be able to help lessen the burden that some of these issues cause by lending a helping hand when it is needed most. Read on to learn about how a compassionate attorney could offer your family assistance today.
Avoiding Marital Issues Before They Happen
For couples considering marriage, as well as those who have already married, making the decision to enter into a marital agreement can be extremely beneficial. A marital agreement is a legal contract that may prevent future disputes between the couple regarding the couple’s property and assets. If the couple later decides to separate or divorce, their individual possessions and personal finances can receive protection through the agreement.
In Walla Walla, there are two types of marital agreements available to couples. The first type of marital agreement is known as a prenuptial agreement and is signed by two future spouses prior to marriage. The second type of marital agreement in Walla Walla is referred to as a postnuptial agreement. While a postnuptial agreement is similar to a prenuptial agreement, a postnuptial agreement differs in that it is signed following the marriage, as opposed to before. A weathered Walla Walla family lawyer can help prepare these agreements and correctly file the required paperwork by their respective deadlines.
Overseeing Dissolution of Marriage
Legally referred to as the dissolution of marriage, a divorce in Walla Walla can only be based on no-fault legal grounds. This legal terminology means that two spouses who have decided to divorce do not need to offer a Walla Walla court any type of reasoning behind their decision to end their relationship. In fact, the court is not allowed to consider the actions of either party that led to the divorce. Instead, a divorcing couple will only be required to attest to the court that the marriage is irretrievably broken. A dedicated Walla Walla family lawyer can be a powerful advocate during separation proceedings to ensure that no party is being taken advantage of.
Managing Spousal Maintenance Payments
Following a divorce, one spouse may be entitled to receive spousal support from their former partner. Once the court divides a couple’s marital property following a divorce, a judge can then determine whether spousal maintenance should be granted.
Courts in Walla Walla will determine maintenance payments by utilizing the factors set forth in the Revised Code of Washington Section 26.09.100. These factors include the duration of the marriage, the spouses’ ages and state of their health, the standard of living the spouses enjoyed during the marriage, the needs of the receiving spouse, and the needs and ability to pay of the paying spouse. In certain circumstances, spousal maintenance payments may be modified or terminated by the court.
Determining Child Support
Walla Walla courts require all parents, regardless of the state of their relationship, to support their children. If a couple with children decides to divorce, the couple must ultimately agree on a structured child support plan that complies with Washington law, or the court will impose child support obligations.
To calculate basic child support obligations, courts in Walla Walla utilize the child support economic table provided in Revised Code of Washington Section 26.19.020. The code sets forth specific guidelines that courts use when calculating child support payments, including the monthly net income of each parent and the number of children that require support.
How a Walla Walla Family Lawyer Can Help
For any situation related to family law, a professional Walla Walla family lawyer can advise you of your legal options and lead you through the necessary court procedures. Consider retaining the experienced representation of a skilled Walla Walla family lawyer today.
