Recent News

Divorce: Equitable, Not Equal Property Division

Washington State Divorce & Family Law Lawyer Mackenzie O. Bretz | 6/18/2025
When going through a divorce in Washington state, many individuals mistakenly believe that all assets will be split equally, or 50/50, because the state is a community property state. However, the court has significant discretion to determine a fair and just division of property, which may not always result in an even split. "Equitable" does… Read More

Holidays in Parenting Plans

Washington State Divorce & Family Law Lawyer Mackenzie O. Bretz | 5/22/2025
As summer approaches and holidays like Memorial Day draw near, it is crucial to consider which holidays to include in your Parenting Plan and how they will be allocated between each parent. When your attorney prepares a proposed Parenting Plan, they will often include the standard holidays in the family law form. However, it's important… Read More

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