Bellevue Divorce & Child Custody Legal Library

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.

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Divorce and Property:

• Seattle Divorce Lawyer: What You Need to Know About Prenuptial Agreements   
  Learn the basic information about Washington State prenuptial agreements and get your questions answered from a Seattle divorce lawyer.
• Seattle Divorce Attorney Discusses the Advantages of Initiating Your Divorce   
  While it likely won’t change the final outcome of your divorce and settlement, there are sometimes small advantages to be the one to initially file for divorce.
• Four More Common Mistakes Made During Washington Divorce Proceedings   
  Do you know which actions to avoid during your Washington State divorce? A Seattle divorce attorney discusses four common divorce blunders.
• The Most Common Mistakes Women Make During Washington State Divorces   
  If you are a woman going through a Washington State divorce, be sure to avoid these four common divorce mistakes as outlined by divorce lawyer Molly Kenny.
• Reconciling with Your Ex-Spouse? Tips for Success the Second Time Around.   
  About ten percent of the population is predicted to get back together with their ex-spouse. Follow these tips for success the second time around.
• Washington Divorce Attorney: Common Mistakes Men Make in a Divorce   
  Learn about four common divorce mistakes that men make and how to avoid them. Information provided by Seattle divorce lawyer Molly Kenny.
• 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.
• Washington State Divorce & Stress Management: Seven Tips for Coping   
  A Washington State divorce often comes with serious stressors. Find out how to best manage your divorce stress and stay mentally healthy during the process.
• 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.
• Breaking The News: Telling Relatives & Friends About Your Divorce   
  It can be hard to know what to say or how to say it when you tell relatives and friends about your divorce. Here are three tips from a Seattle family lawyer.
• Mixing The Professional & Personal: Telling Your Coworkers About Your Divorce   
  You’ve told your children, your relatives, and your friends. Now it is time to tell your co-workers and colleagues about your 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.
• Washington State Divorce & Health Insurance Coverage   
  If you receive health insurance coverage from your spouse, you will need a new health insurance plan after filing for divorce in Washington State.
• Common Concerns Regarding Washington State Community Property Laws   
  When seeking a divorce in Washington State, it is important for you to understand the difference between separate property and community property.
• Five Tips for Long Distance Parents from a Bellevue Family Lawyer   
  A Seattle family law attorney shares five tips on how long distance parents can keep up solid relationships with their kids after a divorce or break-up.
• Understanding Life Insurance & Washington State Divorce Issues   
  During a divorce, it is important to discuss life insurance policies with your spouse and what will happen to your family in the case of an unforeseen death.
• How to Stay Healthy During & After a Washington Divorce   
  While it may not be on your mind, staying physically and mentally healthy during your divorce is something you should do for yourself and your family.
• Washington State Divorce: The Four Main Options For Splitting Your 401(k)   
  Most spouses have four different options to choose from when receiving a portion of the couple’s retirement funds during a divorce in Washington.
• 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.
• Washington Divorce & Property Division: Splitting the Small Stuff   
  It can be difficult for couples to easily divide their personal property, but Seattle family law attorney Molly Kenny has a few tips that could help.
• Six Tips For Talking With Your Children About Your Divorce or Separation   
  The attorneys at the Law Offices of Molly B. Kenny provide tips for breaking the news about your divorce or separation to your children.
• Washington State Divorce Planning For The Stay-At-Home Mom   
  Stay-at-home-moms face unique challenges when considering divorce. Seattle attorney Molly Kenny discusses what kind of plan SAHMs need when divorcing.
• Washington Divorce Checklist: Change Your Will After A Divorce   
  Your divorce is finalized, so you are done with legal paperwork, right? Wrong. Don't forget to update your will, says a Seattle family law attorney.
• Dating Before Your Washington State Divorce Is Final: Four Things To Consider   
  It can absolutely be appropriate to date someone before your divorce is finalized in Washington State, but consider its complexities before taking the leap.
• What Are The Three Worst Ways to Save a Marriage in Seattle?   
  If you are working to save your marriage, journalist Vicki Larson points out three "fixes" that won't really fix anything.
• 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.
• Divorce Checklist: Don’t Forget To Change Your Beneficiaries   
  During or immediately after the divorce process, be sure to change your primary beneficiary on your bank accounts, retirement plans, and insurance policies.
• Monitoring And Protecting Your Credit Score During Your Divorce   
  Read about four simple steps you can take during the divorce process in order to protect your credit and avoid future credit problems.
• Adult Children Of Divorce Face Special Challenges   
  Contrary to popular belief, the adult children of divorce do not always have an easy time coping with their parents' broken relationship.
• 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.
• What Your Children Need To Hear From You During A Divorce   
  Is there anything you absolutely need to say to your kids as your explain your divorce? While all kids are different, here are a few universal words of support.
• 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.