I'm Keeping the Dog! The Rise in "Pet-Nups"
Custody disputes over individual’s beloved “fur babies” has become very common in breakups that it has led to a rise in “pet-nups”. A pet-nup is a type of prenuptial agreement that describes what would happen to a couple’s pet in the event of a breakup. Despite many pet parents considering their fur-babies to be children, in the eyes of the law pets are simply regarded as personal property. In definition personal property is things such as vehicles, jewels, money, and furnitu
Domestic Violence and Your Job
Last night, New Zealand took a huge leap forward by becoming just the second country to grant victims of Domestic Violence ten days paid leave from work each year. (The first country was the Philippines). These ten days exclude annual holiday or sick leave. This additional time provides the victims an opportunity to find a new home, and otherwise protect themselves and their children. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of domestic violence in the world. According to
Summertime Fun, Not Stress
Summer is the time to have fun in the sun, take vacations and generally try to relax. But for divorced and separated parents, Summer often brings its own unique set of challenges. With the kids out of school, a variety of complications may arise from agreeing to allowing the children to participate in sports, music, religious camps, to finding child care while a parent has to work, to negotiating time for extended vacations, and everything in between. Below are some tips th
Things to do Before Filing for Divorce
1. Educate Yourself About the Process Before filing for any family law action, such as divorce (or Legal Separation and Committed Intimate Relationship) educate yourself about that process. This can be beneficial when you decide to move forward. Consulting with an attorney may be helpful. In addition to seeking legal advice, reading other materials may also be useful. Be selective, as there is a lot of inapplicable and misinformation online. As divorce laws vary from state t
Trump's Tax Plan Has HUGE Implications Upon Divorce
In Washington State, when a party to a divorce is ordered to pay support (also known as maintenance, or alimony) to a former spouse, that payment is tax deductible. This means the party paying support ("payor") receives a tax benefit for the amount paid and the party receiving support ("payee") must pay taxes as earned income. However, the current tax system is about to undergo a big change. Currently, divorce settlement is often reached when the parties agree to larger pa
Committed Intimate Relationships
Washington State recognizes Committed Intimate Relationships (previously referred to as: Meretricious Relationships). There is no specific definition of what constitutes a Committed Intimate Relationship, instead the Court will consider relevant factors that have been developed over the years to determine if such a relationship exists. The bottom line when considering the factors is that the more marriage-like the relationship, the more likely a Court is to consider it a Com
Reasons Why Women Initiate Divorce
Women initiate divorce more often than men. According to a study conducted by sociology researchers at Stanford University, nearly 70% of divorces are initiated by women. Marriage itself is no longer burdened by outdated notions or expectations. As a result, there are a variety of reasons why more women are seeking a dissolution of their marriage. 1. Abusive Marriage Increasingly women will not stay in abusive marriages, nor should they. In Washington State there are a vast
Use of Social Media in Family Law
Use of Social Media in Family Law: Divorce, Child Custody, Parenting Plan, Protection Orders, Parenting Issues,
Sexual Assault Protection Order
Family law litigation often involves the need for protection of property or from the other party. There are several different types of protection and restraining orders, including a general Restraining Order, Domestic Violence Protection Order, Sexual Assault Protection Order and Anti-Harassment Protection Order. Much of the protection available in a Domestic Violence Protection Order is also available to victims seeking a Sexual Assault Protection Order. Protection orders i
Domestic Violence Protection Order
Family law litigation often involves the need for protection of property or from the other party, or restraints to govern behavior moving forward. There are several different types of protection and restraining orders, including Restraining Order, Domestic Violence Protection Order, Sexual Assault Protection Order and Anti-Harassment Protection Order. Domestic Violence Protection Order: Protection orders in Domestic Violence cases generally involve parties who were married,
