Many of our clients have never before been through the process of filing for divorce, arranging child custody, or resolving property disputes in the Seattle area – and even those who have been through the divorce process before soon discover that every divorce case is different. We have created this index of legal articles to help our clients and potential clients better understand the Bellevue, WA divorce process and the divorce, child custody, and domestic violence laws that are unique to Washington State. We hope that these clear, informative articles can help answer some of your basic questions and gain a better understanding of your case.
If you need more information about a legal subject, don't hesitate to contact us today for more information or to discuss your Seattle family law case.
Coaching You Through the Divorce Process Divorce coaching is an alternative to litigation that can save you thousands of dollars and keep your relationship with your soon-to-be-ex civil.
Men, Depression & Washington State Divorce In the two years after a divorce, more men than women are affected by clinical depression. Learn what you can do to battle sadness after a divorce.
Telling Your Boss About Your Divorce: Four Tips It is often necessary to tell your boss or manager about your divorce. Get tips on how to break the news professionally from a Seattle divorce attorney.
4 Common Myths about Divorce and Children The attorneys at the Law Offices of Molly B. Kenny address the truth about four common myths relating to children and divorce.
Moving In With Your Parents After A Divorce Moving back home with your parents after a divorce comes with some significant pros and cons. Learn more about how to navigate this change successfully.
Coping With Anger During The Divorce Process It is absolutely normal to feel anger during and after a divorce. Learn how to control, express, and move past your anger and sadness.
The Pathway To An Amicable Divorce Do amicable divorces really exist, and if so, how do couples make them possible? Learn more about amicable divorces in this Seattle divorce attorney article.
Five Things Not To Tell Your Child During A Divorce Are there things that you should never say to your kids during the divorce process? While all families are different, there are some topics you should avoid.
Finding Financial Security After A Divorce One of the most frightening aspects of of life after a divorce is living independently and being financially independent. It can be difficult to think about careers, budgets, and incomes right after a relationship ends, but finding financial security after a divorce can be empowering and freeing.
Re-Starting A Career After A Divorce While many people concentrate on the emotional aspects of going through a divorce, both men and women are often affected by the financial changes that occur when you start a new life after a long-term relationship. However, it is possible to start a new career after a divorce and find financial security.
Keeping Your Married Name After A Divorce: Pros And Cons What's in a name? As women across Washington State make the decision to divorce, they must also make a decision to either keep their married name or revert to their maiden name. In this family law article, we discuss the reasons for keeping your name, reasons for changing your name, and why the "right" answer is different for every woman.
January Arrives With Some Of The Highest Divorce Rates Of The Year Many family law offices report that one of their busiest months for divorce cases is January. With a new year, a possible text refund, and a chance for a new start, many couples choose January as an optimal time to end a relationship and file for divorce.
Four Ways To Save Money And Cut Costs During Divorce Divorce is expensive, but there are several steps you can take to save money during the process without harming the outcome of your case. Learn four things that you can do when you file for divorce that can cut costs and perhaps speed up the process.
Have A Successful Holiday With Your Kids After Your Divorce The first holiday after a divorce can be difficult – and for a number of reasons. You may be upset about your side of a child visitation deal, while your children might be upset by the loss of Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions of years past. This article explains why the holidays can be so hard for newly divorced parents and how you can make sure your children still have an enjoyable time.
Online Dating Websites As Evidence In Divorce Cases Many people now know the danger of sharing personal information on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, but now divorce lawyers are using online dating activity as evidence in divorce cases and child custody cases. Learn what you can do to protect your private information.
The Holidays Come With Higher Divorce Rates Many divorce lawyers have reported that a large wave of divorces take place in the weeks and months that follow Christmas and New Year's. But why does this increase in numbers take place at this time of year?
Five Good Reasons To Choose Divorce Before choosing divorce, many people want to be sure that they are making the right decision, and for the right reasons. While all families are different and all marriages are different, some reasons to opt for divorce are better than others.
Five Reasons Couples Choose Legal Separation While there are some similarities between legal separation and divorce in Washington State, there are several very important differences. Legal separation can be an excellent option for some couples, while others may be better served by the divorce process. Other couples may benefit from filing for legal separation and then filing for divorce in the future.
Three Bad Reasons To Choose Divorce Are you ending your marriage for the right reasons, or could you be making a poor choice for you and your family? In this article, learn about some reasons for divorce that should probably just be reasons to work on your marriage or examine your life.
Bankruptcy And Divorce: Should You File Before Or After? All too often, couples find themselves faced with both marital problems and financial problems. Some of these couples need to file for both divorce and bankruptcy, but do not know which should come first. In this legal article, learn more about how your family should handle both bankruptcy and divorce.
Getting An Annulment In Washington State While most people are familiar with the legal aspects of Divorce in Washington State, fewer people understand the legal implications of a non-religious annulment and what the guidelines are for being granted one. In this article, learn the basics of legal annulments in Washington.
Debt And Divorce: Who Is Responsible For What Is Owed? When it comes to divorce and property, everyone wants at least half. When it comes to divorce and debt, no one ever wants anything to do with it. But when a divorce happens, the debt has to go somewhere. This article explains a few common strategies couples use to settle or split debt during a divorce.
Washington Divorce & 529 Plans: What Happens To Kids’ College Savings? The division of property is a difficult part of the divorce process - and the division of your child's college fund can be an especially sore topic. However, when it comes to 529 plans and college savings, there are easy steps you can take to keep your child's savings without being taxed or penalized.
Washington Spousal Maintenance: Will I Have To Pay Alimony? Many couples who are considering divorce are very concerned with whether or not alimony will be involved in their separation. In this legal article, learn more about spousal support, spousal maintenance, and alimony in Washington State - as well as whether or not you will be effected by alimony payments in your divorce.
Pets As Property In Washington Divorce: Who Gets The Dog? It is difficult enough to decide who gets the marital home and how to figure out child custody - but many couples also struggle with who gets the family pets, such as much-loved dogs and cats. In this legal article, learn more about how courts decide who gets the family dog.
The Marital Home: Who Gets The House In Washington Divorce? For many, it is one of the most important questions of the divorce: what happens to our house? Do I get it, does my spouse get it, or do we sell it? In this article, we discuss how courts decide what to do with what is often a family's biggest asset - and how you can better understand what the right choice is in your case.
Divorce After A Lengthy Marriage Holds Unique Challenges Silver divorce is receiving a fair amount of press after famous couple Al and Tipper Gore announced that their marriage was over. But just how common is divorce after decades of marriage? And are there complications to getting a divorce so late in life? Read more about silver divorce in Washington State.
National Domestic Violence Statistics It can sometimes be difficult to realize how large an issue domestic violence is in the United States. These national statistics may help us understand.
Domestic Violence: The Cycle Of Abuse While not true for all abusive relationships, the domestic violence cycle of abuse can help us better understand what many domestic abuse victims endure.
Domestic Violence And Sexual Abuse Sexual abuse is an extremely painful, traumatic, and damaging aspect of domestic violence. Learn what sexual abuse is and what you can do to stop it.
Four Common Domestic Violence Myths Domestic abuse and family violence is one of the most pressing issues in Washington State, and yet many people are uninformed or misinformed when it comes to understanding domestic violence. In this article, learn four common myths about domestic abuse - and help prevent domestic violence misinformation from spreading.
Five Actions To Take Immediately When You Are Falsely Accused Of Domestic Violence A false accusation of domestic violence in Washington State is extremely hurtful and very serious. While you can feel helpless in the wake of a wrongful accusation, it is important that you take action quickly after a domestic abuse charge, find legal representation, and defend your name.
What You Need To Know About Washington State Protection Orders Can a Washington State domestic violence protection order or restraining order keep you and your family safe from an abuser? In this article, we discuss how domestic violence orders of protection can help in some cases of domestic violence and divorce, but not in others.
Stalking And Domestic Violence: Two Disturbing Behaviors That Go Hand In Hand Did you know that most instances of stalking occur between ex-spouses or ex-partners? Or that stalking usually takes place before or after domestic violence? Stalking is an extremely serious behavior - and one that is absolutely illegal in Washington State.
Are You Being Stalked By An Ex? Take Action And Stay Safe. One in twenty people will be stalked by an ex during their lifetime - and in some cases, stalking can escalate to greater acts of domestic violence. In this article, learn what you should do personally and legally if you are being followed or harassed by an ex-spouse or ex-partner.
Domestic Violence And Same-Sex Relationships: Abuse Happens To LGBT Couples Too Even though it is not talked about nearly enough, domestic abuse and domestic violence exists in same-sex couples at the same rates that it is found in heterosexual couples. In addition, gay and lesbian domestic abuse victims often face special challenges when they try to seek help.
Financial Abuse: A Form Of Spousal Emotional Abuse Financial abuse is a common form of psychological abuse or emotional abuse in romantic partnerships. In economic abuse cases, one spouse will gain control over the other by taking full command of finances, paychecks, credit cards, and even work opportunities.
Why Do Some Spouses Stay In Abusive Relationships? Some outsiders may wonder why spouses stay in domestic violence situations for years after the first incident, but, unfortunately, escaping an abusive family situation can be much more difficult than it first appears. Learn more about how difficult it can be to escape an abusive relationship - or even to tell someone about it.
False Allegations Of Domestic Violence And Domestic Abuse In Washington State Marking false accusations of domestic violence is not only extremely harmful to the person accused, it is also harmful to the real victims of family abuse and family violence. However, false claims of abuse are all too common in divorce and child custody cases, both against men and women.
Washington State Domestic Violence Resources If you are a survivor of domestic violence or are in a domestic abuse situation currently, there are a number of resources available for you in Washington State. These are just a few organizations in Seattle and the surrounding area that can help you start a new life and and leave your past behind.
Men Can Also Be The Victims Of Domestic Violence And Abuse Although women make up the majority of domestic violence victims, men are often silent sufferers of domestic abuse in Seattle and Washington State. This article collects some shocking statistics regarding men and domestic violence and shares general information for men who have been the victims of domestic abuse.
Is What You Are Feeling Healthy? Signs Of An Abusive Relationship Abusive relationships are not limited to physical acts of violence in Washington State. If your spouse or partner degrades, threatens, and verbally berates you, you could be in an emotionally abusive relationship. Learn some important signs of emotional abuse in the following article.
Domestic Violence: Emotional Abuse Is Still Abuse Emotional abuse does not leave visual scars like physical abuse can, but it can be just as destructive and harmful. Learn emotional abuse red flags and better understand how emotional abuse can destroy relationships.
Seattle University Participates In Domestic Violence Awareness Week Seattle University turned its focus to domestic violence awareness and education this week with a series of events, workshops, classes, and lectures. The event was organized by the campus' Society of Feminists (SOF).
Charges Against Seattle Man Shines Spotlight On Domestic Violence Enhancements A current events story involving a man and his former school teacher's troubled relationship have many asking what a Washington domestic violence enhancement is. Learn more about how enhancements work and how it affected the case at hand in Seattle.
Domestic Violence Victims Have a Place to Go There are many housing options for women who are victims of domestic violence in Seattle. Read this article to learn more about your housing alternatives and contact a Seattle domestic violence attorney for assistance. You don’t have to face this situation alone. We can help you with your domestic abuse case.
The True Costs of Domestic Violence Domestic abuse doesn't just hurt the men and women who are direct victims of the abuse: it affects their children, their families, our workplaces, our hospitals, and our communities at large. In fact, domestic abuse costs us millions in lost wages, medical bills, and lost productivity - not to mention the long-term consequences that children who see abuse face.
Understanding Both Sides: “Disneyland Dads” After a divorce, one parent may begin to placate their children with gifts, trips, and less strict parenting - find out why in this article.
International Child Custody Laws Don’t Give Enough Weight To Domestic Violence A new study conducted at the University of Washington in Seattle has found that international child custody laws given little consideration to the presents of domestic violence or domestic abuse. In far too many cases, children were sent to live with their fathers or relatives overseas despite a history of physical abuse, sexual violence, and emotional abuse.
When It Comes To Child Visitation, Email Could Be A Smart Way To Communicate With Your Ex There are several good reasons to communicate with your ex-spouse through email when discussing important issues such as child custody, child visitation, or child support. Why is email communication a strong choice for many former couples? Email allows you to discuss issues after having thought them out and without getting overly-emotional. In addition, email leaves a full record of your communication.
For Christmas And Birthdays, Discuss Your Children’s Gifts With Your Ex Having a successful and happy Christmas holiday or birthday with your children after a divorce can be difficult, especially if you are not communicating well with your spouse. Especially when it comes to Christmas presents and birthday presents, it is important to talk about who is getting what and which gifts will be appropriate.
Child Visitation Disputes Are Common At Christmas While child custody is always a difficult matter for many parents to agree on, it can especially hard for ex-spouses or partners to come up with a workable parenting plan during the holidays. This legal article discusses why this is and what options parents have for settling child custody disputes during this busy time of year.
How Are Child Support Payments Determined In Washington State? Child support in Washington State is determined by a number of factors, including your income, your number of children, their special needs, and your child's past standard of care. However, child support is ultimately decided upon by a judge and any special circumstances in your family will be considered.
The Consequences Of Not Paying Child Support In Washington State In Washington State, the consequences of not paying your child support as agreed are harsh and can affect all areas of your life, from your finances to your job to your ability to travel. If you cannot afford your child support, you should talk to someone who can help.
Child Custody And Mental Illness In Washington State If you or your ex-spouse has a history of serious mental illness, it could affect your child custody case and parenting plan. Below, read more about how certain mental illnesses and other mental health issues could play a part in your Washington State child custody case.
Relocation And Child Custody: What Happens When Someone Wants Or Needs To Move Away? In the years after a divorce, it isn't uncommon for one parent or the other to want or need to relocate their lives in either miles, states, or even countries away. In this article we discuss how a judge might handle a relocation and how the child's best interests are considered in each of these difficult child custody cases.
Changing Your Child Support Agreement In Washington State If your financial situation changes, can you modify your child support order? If your life or your ex-spouses' life changes significantly - due to a job loss, promotion, marriage or inheritance - you can petition the court to change the amount you owe in child support.
Medical Marijuana Use Can Jeopardize Washington Child Custody Cases Families in Washington State are being affected by the legal use of medical marijuana - some parents are losing child custody rights for using the drug while others are seeking sole custody from parents who take the medication for pain.
Is There A Bias Against Dads In Washington Child Custody Cases? A number of recent national and international child custody cases have put the spotlight on dads: do they get a fair chance at custody in the courts after divorces, or is there gender bias when it comes to physical and legal child custody?
What Are Some Common Child Visitation Schedules In Washington? Arrangements for children in the wake of a divorce are always in the best interest of the child - and in many cases, child visitation schedules are very different depending on each family. in this WA child visitation article, learn about some of the most common types of Washington child visitation schedules.
How Does A Washington Judge Determine A Child’s Best Interests? When a judge decides child custody and child visitation rights in Washington State, he or she keeps the best interests of the child at heart. But what does that mean, and how does a court ascertain what a child's best interests really are? Learn more about Seattle child custody decisions in this article.
International Family Relocation And Child Custody In Washington The International Judicial Conference on Cross-Boarder Family Relocation examined the problem of child custody and international family relocation in Washington last week and drafted a document called the “Washington Declaration on International Family Relocation," which outlines how judges should decide cases in which child custody crosses borders.
Custody and the Law in Washington State What are Washington State child custody laws, and how will they affect your divorce? Very simply, judges will make child custody decisions that are in the best interest of your child or children. In this library article, we outline the Parenting Act of 1987 and review the basics of creating a parenting plan with your spouse during the divorce process.
Divorce Mediation: What It Is, What It Isn't What does mediation entail? Read this article published in the National Conflict Resolution Center newsletter to learn more about divorce mediation.
Using Mediation To Decide Child Custody Mediation isn't just a useful tool for those seeking a divorce in Washington State - it can also help those working out parenting plans and child custody.
Talking To Your Spouse About Divorce Mediation Thinking about speaking with your spouse about choosing divorce mediation over divorce litigation? Learn how to communicate the idea in a constructive way.
The Role Of The Divorce Mediator Learn about how a Washington State divorce mediator can help couples find solutions and make decisions regarding the end of their marriage and child custody.
The Role Of A Divorce Mediation Lawyer While they are not required, a Seattle divorce mediation attorney can help you navigate the mediation process and protect you from making legal missteps.
Four Reasons Divorce Mediation Might Not Be For You While mediation is a smart decision for a number of Washington State couples seeking separation and divorce, it is not the best choice for certain people. Learn about four major reasons to choose traditional litigation over mediation: substance abuse issues, domestic violence issues, a partner that doesn't want to respect the process, and couples with especially complex finances.
The Three Major Steps Of The Divorce Mediation Process Not many people are familiar with the divorce mediation process in Washington State. In this article, we break down the process into three major steps: the initial consultation, the actual mediation sessions, and the divorce agreement.
Divorce Mediation Could Be Better For And Easier On Your Children Divorce mediation may be more than an easier and less stressful way to settle a divorce in Washington State - it could also help your children through the process and your relationship with your children after the divorce. Learn more about how divorce mediation can help couples with children.
Four Common Divorce Mediation Myths Divorce mediation is a advantageous option for many couples who are planning to separate, but many people have mistaken thoughts and feelings about divorce mediation and the mediation process. In the article below, we disprove four different common myths some people believe about Washington State divorce mediation.
Religious Differences Complicate The Washington Divorce Mediation Process Divorce mediation help you and your spouse come to a fair agreement regarding child custody and child visitation in Seattle and Washington State. It can also help you discuss sensitive subjects, such as how a child will be raised in regards to their parents' religion and cultural preferences.
Six Ways Mediation May Be The Right Choice For Your Washington State Divorce Mediation can have a number of advantages over a court divorce - and for a variety of different reasons. Read more about how your Washington State divorce could be made easier and more emotionally manageable with a mediation attorney.
What Can You Expect From the Mediation Process? While television often paints the picture of contentious divorces and arguing spouses in court, divorce does not have to be that way. Many couples in Washington State seeking a divorce choose to use a mediator and work out the details of their split with the help of their lawyers and an knowledgeable dispute resolution expert.
Guidelines of Professional Courtesy[PDF] Lawyers are expected to play many demanding roles, including that of advocate promoting a client's interests, frequently in opposition to others.
Washington Grandparent Visitation Rights: Troxel v. Granville If you are not the parent to a child, can you still gain custody or visitation rights in Washington State? Learn more about the history of important child visitation cases in Washington and how child custody and child visitation rulings are decided in Seattle.