Recent News

Washington courts have long recognized that maintaining a relationship with grandparents is generally in the best interest of the children.  If grandparents can make a case that they have been (and will continue to be) critical to the healthy and happy development of the grandchild, they have a good chance of successfully petitioning for some… Read More

There are many personal reasons why people may wish to be in a live-in romantic situation without being married. But if you think you are avoiding the legal and property complications of marriage…  think again. Even though “common law marriage” is not a thing in Washington, there may be surprise shifts in money between you… Read More

The Minor Guardianship law went into effect January 2021, replacing non-parental custody rules and procedures. It massively expanded the number of people to which you need to give notice.1 Previously, it was just a matter between the parents, whoever, had custody of the kids, and whoever wanted to get custody of the kids. Now, you… Read More

When two people love each other very much…. Or at least enough…. A baby can be the result. One or both of those loved-enough adults may be married at the time, although not necessarily to each other. These circumstances sometimes result in one spouse in a marriage contesting the parentage of a child born by… Read More

Maybe. Imagine… You are just finishing up a divorce. Every property item is split, all the documents are signed, and you are just waiting for the court to bless your disunion. Your soon-to-be ex was entirely uncooperative has stopped all communication. Good riddance, you think. You find your next new home and purchase it by… Read More

Pediatric healthcare and “joint” healthcare provisions in court orders and parenting plans. You are a pediatric healthcare provider. That means you have been - or will be -  dragged into disputes between parents when they cannot agree on the best medical strategy for their children. It is important to keep a clear delineation between your… Read More

– what happens when your long-term partner dies, but you were never officially married. You built a life together. Lived in and improved the same home, shared your money, worked together to pay bills and invest, and maybe raised some kids. Then, tragically, your partner dies… without a will (called dying “intestate”). In Washington, only… Read More

Question: I’m in the military married to (or have recently adopted) a person who is not a U.S. citizen. What do I do if I’m being sent overseas and my spouse/child has not yet met the residency requirement to be naturalized? You have recently created (or add to) your U.S. military family. From the multiple veterans,… Read More

On April 24, Governor Inslee released his Phase 1 Construction Restart plan signaling the beginning of a possible easing of Covid-19 related restrictions put in place under Gubernatorial Proclamation 20-25. As contractors return to work, it is the perfect time to reassess compliance with the Contractor Registration Act. A major component of the Act, is… Read More