Recent News

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

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

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

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

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

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

March 6th, 2025 Beresford Booth Attorney Kelsey L. Affronte discusses Don’t Block Your Ex – ‘BIFF’ Them, Instead! 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

If you have begun the process of obtaining a Child Support Order or are working to finalize your divorce, you likely understand the time and effort required to navigate this situation. Once you have the order in place, it can be incredibly frustrating if the other party refuses to pay. This refusal not only adds… Read More