Although divorce is a legal process involving court filings, financial disclosures, and important decisions, understanding the basics can make it feel more manageable. The answers below address common spousal support questions related to filing for divorce, dividing property, and resolving matters involving children in Washington. This means every state handles the particulars of divorce a...
Christopher Pitts
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, over 22 million children under 21 live with their primary residential or custodial parent while the other parent lives elsewhere. Child custody disputes are not uncommon following a separation or divorce in Seattle and across Washington State. Even the most reasonable parents may let emotional tension get the best...
Long-distance co-parenting can be challenging, but it is often possible with careful planning and commitment to putting your child’s needs first. Whether a parent relocates for work, military service, or family reasons, a detailed parenting plan and consistent communication can help maintain strong parent-child relationships across state lines. In some cases, even interstate and international...
Is Your Spouse Hiding Assets During Divorce? Simply put, spouses do not always share the dirty details of their purchases or finances with one another. Sometimes, an omission is a genuine oversight, and sometimes, it is done intentionally in an effort to avoid a fight over an expense one spouse may not consider worthwhile....
Divorce is generally a confusing and time-consuming process. You need to make choices regarding various elements such as dividing community debt, marital assets, and real property. One thing some divorcing couples in Seattle don’t realize is that marital debt is considered community property under Washington law, regardless of which person incurred it. How Debt is...
Even kids who don’t go through a divorce have a hard time adjusting to change. When parents split up, it disrupts a child’s routine. However, Scientific American reports that the majority of children do well after a divorce, even if the first couple of years are difficult. Parents can take steps to help a child...
Children who live with both parents at least one-third of the time do better in school and have better social skills. Research from the American Coalition for Fathers & Children clearly demonstrates that children benefit from shared residential custody, even when their parents aren’t on friendly terms. In Seattle and across Western Washington, maintaining these...
Social Security benefits are available to the vast majority of the American population. The Social Security Administration (SSA) reports that 96 percent of workers qualify for these benefits nationwide and across Washington State. The term “workers” may cause concern for some individuals in Seattle and King County who are considering filing for or recently filed...