The lessons learned from this story: Listen to your lawyer about the value of your case; just because you married the owner, it does not become community property and don’t remodel a house that isn't yours. Dave loved to remodel houses. He loved...

In an initial consult with The Quirk Law Group, here’s what to expect. No forms or papers being pushed at you, just a comfortable conversation with an expert who can answer questions about the divorce process.

Dissolving a marriage takes a lot of mental and emotional energy. A team of trusted friends, family, and professionals is recommended so that you can get your new life on track. Here are some recommendations when pulling together your divorce team: Family You are...

Legal separation, is it right for me? A legal separation is an alternative to divorce. All issues regarding property and children are resolved just like a divorce except the parties are not free to marry. The parties can file taxes separately. Generally, the spouse is...

COOPERATIVE DIVORCE I am often asked what to do if a spouse is not behaving as a grownup. Does this mean the case has to become contested and ugly? Not necessarily. There are a number of strategies that have worked with my clients. If my client can be the grownup we...

A warm, sunny beach and a man proposes marriage to a woman. He tells her that since they have been living together for four years they will be married anyway in three years because it will be a common law marriage so they might as well do it now. She said yes.
This story was told to me by a friend. It is romantic and funny. It is also based on a myth.

At one-time divorce files could be “sealed” so that no one other than the parties or their attorney could look at them. That is no longer the case. Divorce files are now public record and available to anyone, with or without a legitimate purpose, but there is something you can do to keep them private.

Divorce property settlement agreements are typically based upon the concept that real estate values only go up and there is always equity in the family home. In reality, you never know how real estate values are going to be. There may be times when there are questions concerning what to do about houses that are valued at less than the mortgage, rental property, and houses that have dropped so far in value the owners want to maintain the property long enough to recover some of their losses. You never know what the market is going to be like…These are some questions I frequently hear:

As a seasoned divorce attorney, I have observed the damage people do to their children and each other when dissolving their marriage. Discussions over child custody, property division and support can become quite heated, especially considering the emotional aspects of...

1. This is a community property state so everything is 50-50 While asset and debt acquired during the marriage is community property in Washington, it is not necessarily divided equally. The operating word in Washington is “equitable.” There are a number of standards...