Family Law Blog

Beginning a divorce case: There is no one way

Beginning a divorce case: There is no one way

Some of the most frequent questions we hear from people who are starting the divorce process: Does it matter who files first? Do we have to have all the details worked out before we file? Are there reasons to wait to file? What is I don’t know where my spouse is? Answers below.

don’t believe everything you read online

don’t believe everything you read online

I was recently looking online for a link to a specific law firm when I found information in a well-known legal directory. It was titled “When you need a divorce lawyer,” and I found this: ...getting divorced may be the most challenging thing you ever do. Add in the...

Meeting with a Divorce Lawyer

Meeting with a Divorce Lawyer

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.

Building Your Divorce Team

Building Your Divorce Team

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...

Trial Seperations

Trial Seperations

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...

What if your spouse is not a “grownup”

What if your spouse is not a “grownup”

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...

Common Law Marriage

Common Law Marriage

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.

Keep Divorce Information Private

Keep Divorce Information Private

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.

Co-Owning Property With a Former Spouse

Co-Owning Property With a Former Spouse

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:

An Amicable Divorce is Possible

An Amicable Divorce is Possible

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...

Tell it to the Judge!

Tell it to the Judge!

I have been making it my mission to change the way people think about divorce. I truly believe in empowering couples to dissolve their marriage in a respectful cooperative way without going to court. Most people find going to court for their family law cases to be a...

A Lawyer’s Most Often Used Word — It Depends

A Lawyer’s Most Often Used Word — It Depends

Sometimes Facebook has a game where it shows you your most often used words as a digital image depending on size.  If such a game existed for my conversation with clients, the word or phrase that would be the largest up front and center would be IT DEPENDS. How much...

How Do You Know When to End the Marriage?

How Do You Know When to End the Marriage?

WALKING ON EGGSHELLS. The absolutely most common reason I hear is “I feel like I’m walking on eggshells. Nothing I do is right.” It is really difficult to live under constant criticism. As the individual's self-esteem is lowered by their partner, they are vulnerable...

Welcome to Karin’s Blog

Welcome to Karin’s Blog

This is a collection of random thoughts and observations.  Questions are welcome for future posts.  You may want to check out the page "Thoughts about Divorce" for a collection of previous posts that I have written over the years.  Many of these started...

You’ve Been Served!

You’ve Been Served!

Getting served divorce papers must be right up there with the worst day of your life.  The papers are very official looking and in your shock completely incomprehensible. The cover is a Summons that extols you to respond within a certain number of days.  What to do?...

How to Handle a Parenting Evaluation

How to Handle a Parenting Evaluation

The major benefit of a cooperative divorce with children is that the parents work together on a parenting plan that is in the best interests of the children without court intervention.    However, sometimes it is necessary to involve the...

Divorce & Money Video Series

Divorce & Money Video Series

Here are some really quick videos focusing on Divorce & Money. There are a lot of questions surrounding finances during a divorce. Who gets what? How can I get the "upper hand?" Truth is there is no "upper hand" an attorney can offer. The best course...

THANK YOU TO MY LOYAL CLIENTS AND FRIENDS!

APRIL 29, 2010 2010 FIVE STAR Wealth Manager (SM) in Seattle Magazine Thanks to you, I was named a 2010 FIVE STAR Wealth Manager (SM) in Seattle Magazine for “Best in Overall Satisfaction”. Only 7 percent of the 11,000 wealth managers in the Seattle area was thus...

Questions and Answers About Divorce

Questions and Answers About Divorce

Recently I asked a neighborhood Facebook group for input on divorce topics to discuss.  Some responses were very personal and I won’t discuss them here, but there was a pattern to the general questions, here they are with my answers included.

New Way to Divorce

New Way to Divorce

My practice has evolved over time to representing parties who have decided they no longer want to be married but want to maintain a relationship with their ex-spouse. They have watched their friends go through bitter divorces and want to avoid the hostility generated by a “divorce war.”

The Quirk Law Group Focuses on Legal Matters Surrounding Divorce & Family Law in Washington State.

Articles below are not intended as legal advice. Family law cases can are complex, and you should consult with an attorney.

Karin Quirk A Peaceful Divorce

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