Recent News

Discovery Process in a Divorce – Why is it Important?

Washington State Divorce & Family Law Lawyer Amanda N. Gamble | 5/5/2025
Discovery is an essential part of litigation. Discovery allows each litigant to learn about the other’s financial situation, assets, debts, parenting plan requests (when applicable) and other relevant information. Discovery can often feel overwhelming and like the other side is being intrusive or requesting privileged information. However, there is very little information that is “off… Read More

Asset and Debt Distribution in Divorce – The Importance of Tracing

Washington State Family Law Lawyer Anne B. Bennette | 4/30/2025
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

New Bill Pending Legislature Approval May Affect Future Parenting Plans

Washington State Divorce & Family Law Lawyer Mackenzie O. Bretz | 4/21/2025
On April 2, 2025, House Bill 1620 passed in the Senate. This Bill aims to provide the Court with better guidance on how to develop a final parenting plan when there are concerns about domestic violence, mental health, or addiction involving both parents. Proponents of the Bill argue that the current legal framework only addresses… Read More

How Do I Keep My Divorce Process Amicable?

Washington State Divorce & Family Law Lawyer Mackenzie O. Bretz | 3/31/2025
Many people ask me how to keep the divorce amicable early in the process. While an amicable separation or divorce is not always something you can control, there are things you can do to try to keep the process reasonable. Make Clear Goals, Both Financially and Personally Going into this process with many unknowns can… Read More

Unintended Barrier to Relocation

Washington State Divorce & Family Law Lawyer Dimitra S. Scott | 3/31/2025
Parents seeking to craft a parenting plan often focus on a relatively short window of time in their lives, without proper and due consideration to how the plan may change in the future.  A final parenting plan, once entered, is expected to remain in place until the last child turns 18—subject only to substantial changes… Read More

What Does it Mean to ‘Waste’ Community Assets in Divorce?

Washington State Family Law Lawyer Anne B. Bennette | 3/29/2025
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

Mediation. Arbitration. What is the Difference? 

Washington State Divorce & Family Law Lawyer Amanda N. Gamble | 3/14/2025
As you begin your litigation journey, you may start to hear terms like alternative dispute resolution (ADR), mediation or arbitration. ADR is an option for resolving disputes outside of court. Mediation and arbitration are sub-groups of ADR. In King and Snohomish counties, all litigants involved in family law cases, that do not qualify for an exemption,… Read More

The Importance of Updating Your Will After Divorce

Washington State Family Law Lawyer Anne B. Bennette | 2/26/2025
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