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In any divorce or separation case, the Court must ‘determine the nature and extent of both separate and community property’ before equitably dividing assets and debts.  This means that the Court must first characterize the property as separate or community before deciding on an equitable division.  When disputes arise as to whether property is separate… Read More

Making sure that you leave your divorce with a fair and equitable division of assets is one of the most important things family law attorneys can help you accomplish. However, sometimes the financial issues are far more varied and complex, and a financial expert, such as a forensic accountant, is necessary to make sure all… Read More

In Washington State, final resolution of family law disputes is often resolved before ever reaching a courtroom. This occurs in part due to local county rules requiring family law matters to mediate the case prior to being given a trial date. Whether it’s during mediation, settlement conference, or an informal negotiation between attorneys, parties may… Read More

In at-fault states, a party filing for divorce must allege that their spouse committed misconduct in the marriage leading to its demise.  Washington is not one of those states.  Here, a spouse must attest that their marriage is irretrievably broken, but misconduct is irrelevant.  The statute specifically states: “the court shall, without regard to misconduct,… Read More

August 28th, 2025 - In this webinar, Attorney Kelsey L. Affronte discusses "Your Voice, Your Evidence: Writing Declarations for Court" Read More

According to a 2009 American Community Survey, only 45.8% of children reach the age of 17 while still living with their biological parents who were married before or around the time of their birth. Additionally, 72% of divorces occur within the first 14 years of marriage. Often, it is the children of divorcing parents who… Read More

Divorce ranks among the top five most stressful life events, alongside the death of a loved one, job loss, and major illness. And when your ex is particularly difficult or high conflict, navigating this time can feel nearly impossible. Enter the BIFF Method: a powerful communication strategy designed to help you deal with high-conflict personalities… Read More

The term “grey divorce” is in reference to couples ending long-term (18+ years) marriages after age 50. These types of divorces have surged dramatically in recent years. In the U.S., divorces among individuals 50+ increased from only 8% in 1990 to nearly 40% by 2019. The recent data indicate the “grey divorce” is on the… Read More

Many people may overlook the value of divorce assets when dividing marital property because these assets are not easily liquid. However, these assets and benefits can be very valuable and can provide you with economic stability in your later years. IRA Accounts IRA accounts are among the easiest retirement accounts to divide and manage. These… Read More