Recent News

As a result of a major six-year overhaul by the Access to Justice Board, new “Plain Language” Family Law Forms are currently available on  https://www.courts.wa.gov/forms and mandatory to be used in all family law cases as of July 1, 2016. The purpose for the overhaul was to make the court forms more comprehensible for Pro… Read More

If you are in a marriage-like relationship with another adult, referred to as a “meretricious relationship” or a “committed intimate relationship,” but not legally married, Washington State courts can still determine the division of debts and assets you acquired during the relationship. In order to determine whether you and your former partner fall into the… Read More

Washington State has legalized the use of marijuana.  Clients are now frequently asking whether or not their use of marijuana will impact their divorce or a custody determination.  Much like alcohol use (or abuse), it depends on whether the use of marijuana has an impact on a parent’s ability to parent.  Under RCW 26.09.191(3)(c), “A… Read More

High School graduation is on the horizon. Your child may have plans to attend college or vocational school in the fall. How (or who) is going to pay the expense? Courts in Washington state have the authority and discretion to determine whether the parents must pay. If you have an Order of Child Support, the… Read More

In a recent Washington State Court of Appeals case, the appellate court indicated a termination trial (i.e., the termination of a parent-child relationship) in an adoption matter should be open to the public. Because of a procedural error, the appellate Court did not make such a ruling but ruled the appellant father, whose parental rights… Read More

When a Decree of Dissolution of Marriage is entered, the Court may order a spouse’s name to be changed at his or her request. Often, a spouse will want to assume their maiden name, particularly if the marriage was for a brief period of time. A name change is not limited to divorce proceedings. Anyone… Read More

The Washington State Court of Appeals upheld the trial Court’s decision to deny quasi-judicial immunity to a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) because the GAL acted outside his statutory GAL functions, as alleged in the complaint. Slip Opinion BERESFORD BOOTH has made this content available to the general public for informational purposes only. The information on… Read More

When an engaged couple breaks off the engagement, does the recipient of the ring have to give the ring back? The answer is—depends on the circumstances of the broken engagement. If the recipient (unjustifiably) breaks off the engagement, the ring must be returned to the donor. If the donor unjustifiably breaks off the engagement, the… Read More

Dick and Jane have been living with each other for six months. Dick works at a production plant across town and Jane is a student at a community college located close to the couple’s residence. Dick and Jane are not married. Dick drives Jane’s car to work. Dick and Jane got into a fight on… Read More