Recent News

‘Crypto’ was once a niche concept but has now become commonplace.  Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin, etc. are now used in everyday vernacular and are becoming more ordinary methods of payment. Most digital asset platforms provide account holders with a degree of anonymity.  This means that it is incredibly difficult to obtain information regarding your partner’s assets… Read More

In a divorce or separation matter, the Court has discretion to value property as of date of separation, the date of trial, or some other date that the Court determines is equitable.  If you or your spouse separated in 2021, but neither party filed a petition for dissolution or separation until 2026, then your property… Read More

In order to determine a fair and equitable division of assets, all community and separate property must be considered.  Life insurance is not often thought of in this context, but it should be.  If you or your spouse has a ‘whole life’ or ‘universal life’ policy, it has a cash value.  That means that whoever… Read More

In this webinar, Attorney Anne B. Bennette discusses "Committed Intimate Relationships" Read More

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

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

The role of the Court in a divorce or separation action is to equitably divide assets and debts, whether community or separate.  Evidence is paramount in proving the value of those properties so the Court understands what there is to divide and so that it may be equitably distributed.   “Tracing” is the process of… Read More

When a spouse files a Petition for Dissolution or Legal Separation, Courts often issue an ‘Automatic Temporary Order Setting Financial Restraints.’ This is intended to prohibit either party from spending funds beyond those in the ‘usual course of business’ or for the ‘basic necessities of life.’  The point of the Court entering such an order… Read More

Whether you have been married for one year or thirty years, it is extremely important to update your estate plan following a divorce.  RCW 11.12.051(1) states that “if, after making a will, the testator's marriage or domestic partnership is dissolved, invalidated, or terminated, all provisions in the will in favor of or granting any interest… Read More