Recent News

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

The answer: ‘it depends.’ In Washington State, co-parents with dependent children that have entered a Parenting Plan (for example through a divorce, separation or parentage action), will have also entered an Order of Child Support.  Depending on the age of the children at the time of entry, often the issue of post-secondary support is ‘reserved.’ … Read More

Over the past few years, cryptocurrency has become more of a mainstream asset than ever before.  Bitcoin and Ethereum are two of the most popular crypto coins available on the market.  As of this writing, Bitcoin is worth $44,049.20 per coin and Ethereum is worth $2,429.50 per coin; however, those values will fluctuate by the… Read More

In a divorce action, the Court is required to distribute all assets and debts equitably (which does not necessarily mean equally).  The Court is also required to characterize the property awarded as either Separate Property or Community Property. Unvested stock awards are awards that are granted months or years before they fully vest.  It is… Read More

In Washington State, child support is a statutory calculation based on the parent’s combined net income.  This figure can be found in RCW 26.19.020 (the ‘Child Support Economic Table.’).  For example, if the combined net income of each parent equals $11,000/month, then Washington State has determined that the basic support obligation in a one-child family… Read More

In the State of Washington, a Child Support Order identifies a ‘standard transfer payment’ from the obligor to the obligee.  This amount is based on each party’s income and the number of children to be supported.  The standard transfer payment is included on the child support worksheet and calculated by taking the combined net income… Read More

When the Court enters a Final Parenting Plan, it is expected that it will remain in place until the child (or children) are no longer dependent.  For that reason, it is important to have a comprehensive Final Parenting Plan addressing the residential schedule, holidays, and other provisions as the children age no matter how young… Read More

RCW 26.16.010 provides that separate property of a spouse is defined as “property and pecuniary rights owned by a spouse before marriage and that acquired by him or her afterwards by gift, bequest, devise, descent, or inheritance, with the rents, issues and profits thereof.” For example, an individual bank account opened prior to marriage is… Read More