Family Law Blog

McKinley Irvin Blog

A little knowledge can go a long way to protect your assets and family relationships. Planning can save headaches and money, and can provide peace of mind. The articles and tips in this section of the McKinley Irvin website are intended to help you understand and prepare for some of the more common issues you’ll encounter in a divorce, child custody, or other family law matter.

Please be advised that family cases can be very complex. The information provided here should not be construed as legal advice in your case.

  • Obtaining Financial Independence After Divorce

    Obtaining Financial Independence After Divorce A divorce can unravel both spouses’ finances for many reasons, which is why it is important to take control of your money after your marriage ends. Below, we discuss strategies for managing finances after a divorce is finalized. Examine & Understand Your Financial Position If you plan to support yourself and maintain financial independence, you need to have a clear understanding of your personal finances. Start by looking at your tax returns, bank and retirement statements, and any investment accounts you have. Knowing these ...
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  • Is Washington a Community Property State?

    Is Washington a Community Property State? When a couple gets divorced in Washington, the courts will take a community property approach to divide their assets. Under community property law, all of the items the divorcing parties acquired during their marriage will be considered marital property, which will then be split equally among them. In Washington, community property generally includes the following: The income both parties earned during the marriage. This includes retirement benefits, interest earned on investments, capital gains, and other assets. Property ...
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  • Is It Possible to Have an Amicable Divorce?

    Is It Possible to Have an Amicable Divorce? When couples decide to divorce and part ways, the transition can be more difficult if the divorcing parties let their emotions get the best of them. Couples who engage in highly contested disputes during their divorces often end up spending significantly more money. Below, we explain a strategy that divorcing couples can take advantage of if they want to have an amicable divorce. Consider Using a Mediator If you want to avoid the hassle and cost of going to court to have a judge settle your disputes, then you should consider ...
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  • How Co-Parents Can Make Online & Distanced Learning Beneficial for Children

    How Co-Parents Can Make Online & Distanced Learning Beneficial for Children Parents all over Washington are scrambling to get their kids ready to return to school this fall. With the pandemic still looming over our lives, many co-parents are finding the transition to online and distanced learning a major challenge. Although this might all seem new and confusing to you, teachers and educators have been using their limited free time to prepare for some of the challenges their students might encounter. Keep reading to learn how you and your co-parent can support your children in their academic pursuits ...
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  • What Will a Divorce Lawyer Ask Me?

    What Will a Divorce Lawyer Ask Me? Heading into an initial divorce consultation, you might be wondering what types of questions the attorney will ask you. During that first meeting, the consulting lawyer is bound to ask you a few important things about your current situation and your wishes—but exactly what types of questions can you expect? It’s important to be prepared for any meeting with a legal advisor, so knowing what to expect can help you gather the appropriate information to make the most of your consultation. During your first meeting, a divorce ...
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  • Getting Back To Work After a Divorce

    Getting Back To Work After a Divorce Returning to the workforce after any break can be challenging, especially when coming out of a divorce. While dealing with this difficult life transition, returning to the workforce can feel all but impossible. Whether you were simply out of the office for a few days or you left the workforce for few years, it’s important to understand what you can do to make the transition as simple and seamless as possible. Following your divorce, make sure you know what you can do to reenter the workforce with purpose, confidence, and ...
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  • 14 McKinley Irvin Attorneys Listed in 2021's The Best Lawyers in America

    14 McKinley Irvin Attorneys Listed in 2021's The Best Lawyers in America McKinley Irvin is proud to announce that 14 of the firm’s attorneys have been included in the 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America ® . Attorneys listed in Best Lawyers are reviewed by their peers on the basis of professional expertise and undergo an authentication process. A total of 52 family law attorneys in Washington state are included in The Best Lawyers in America list. With 14 attorneys appearing in the 2021 edition, McKinley Irvin is the most-listed firm in the state for the practice area of family law. The ...
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  • How To Handle Custody & Visitation During the Divorce Process

    How To Handle Custody & Visitation During the Divorce Process Before your divorce is finalized, you and your co-parent might be concerned about how you’ll share parenting responsibilities in the interim. The divorce process can be complicated and lengthy, so having a temporary parenting plan in place is the best way you can ensure you create a stable environment for your children and set clear-cut expectations with your spouse. While you meet with your attorney to discuss the details of your divorce or negotiate the terms of your official child custody agreement in court, your ...
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  • Is There a Benefit to Choosing Legal Separation Over Divorce?

    Is There a Benefit to Choosing Legal Separation Over Divorce? It’s not uncommon for couples to live in separate households before deciding to go through with their divorce. This period, often called a “trial separation,” gives both spouses an opportunity to evaluate their individual situations and whether or not pursuing legal action is worth the hassle. What Is Legal Separation? Some couples who separate end up remaining separated instead of getting divorced, even though the marriage can’t be salvaged. When this occurs, experienced attorneys recommend executing a legal separation ...
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  • Keeping the House After Divorce

    Keeping the House After Divorce When trying to figure out whether to keep the marital home as part of the divorce settlement, there are several things to consider. Below, we explain some of the options divorced couples have when it comes to deciding what to do with their marital home post-divorce. #1: Refinancing If one of the spouses is awarded the marital home, they will have to refinance the mortgage to get the other spouse’s name taken off the property deed. If the mortgage remains in both spouses' names after the divorce, and one stops making ...
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