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.

  • What to Expect When Divorcing a Narcissist

    What to Expect When Divorcing a Narcissist While no divorce is pleasant, divorcing a narcissistic spouse can heighten the stakes considerably. It’s important to enter a divorce with a clear head and realistic expectations. Unfortunately, this is often easier said than done, especially if the marriage in question entails a history of physical, financial, or emotional abuse. However, with the help of an experienced divorce attorney , there are effective strategies to minimize the financial and emotional tolls of divorcing a narcissist. Keep reading to learn how spouses ...
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  • Five Questions to Ask Before Filing for Divorce

    Five Questions to Ask Before Filing for Divorce If you think your marriage is no longer working and are seriously considering filing for divorce, then there are some important questions that you need to ask yourself to make sure you are really prepared to go through with this life-changing decision. The following five questions can help you carefully examine your situation and weigh your options before proceeding with a divorce . #1: Have You Clearly Communicated Your Concerns According to Sherry Amatenstein , a marriage therapist and author, “people hear only between 30% ...
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  • How to Prove a Coparent Is Emotionally Abusing a Child

    How to Prove a Coparent Is Emotionally Abusing a Child It’s normal for parents to feel anxious about an upcoming divorce or child custody case in Washington. After all, the vast majority of caregivers want what's best for their children and will stop at nothing to protect their children from harm—including harm that is perpetrated by a fellow family member. Because the Washington courts will always prioritize the best interest of the child in a child custody case, rest assured that the judge won’t hesitate to remove the child from an abusive environment. Unfortunately, some ...
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  • Why Child Custody Relocation Requests Are Denied in Washington

    Why Child Custody Relocation Requests Are Denied in Washington Divorce can be a stressful time for Washington families. In the event that the couple has children, adjusting to a new normal after divorce can be all the more challenging. Child custody is a common area of contention during and after divorce, as child custody orders can fluctuate over time to better accommodate the child’s evolving needs as they mature. Parenting plan modifications may also be permitted in the event of new and substantial life changes, such as a co-parent getting remarried, the birth of a new half-sibling, ...
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  • 6 Ways to Be a Better Parent After Your Divorce

    6 Ways to Be a Better Parent After Your Divorce Between court dates and discussions of property division and child custody, the divorce process can be stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. As difficult as these aspects of divorce may be, if you have children, you are probably more worried about how they’re coping. All children react to divorce differently. Some kids feel angry with their parents, or sad, or even relieved. They might let their frustrations out by misbehaving at home and in school or they might withdraw into themselves, becoming quiet and closed off. ...
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  • Can Same-Sex Couples Still File for Domestic Partnership?

    Can Same-Sex Couples Still File for Domestic Partnership? Washington State first created state-registered domestic partnerships (SRDPs) in 2007. Most domestic partnerships in the state were automatically converted to marriages in 2014, about one year prior to same-sex marriages being recognized nationwide . Same-sex marriage was legalized in Washington in 2012. According to the state registry, there were about 6,000 registered same-sex domestic partnerships in the state. The exceptions to the conversion were couples with at least one of the partners being 62 or older or with a ...
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  • McKinley Irvin Welcomes Brandy Andersson to our Kirkland Office

    McKinley Irvin Welcomes Brandy Andersson to our Kirkland Office McKinley Irvin is pleased to announce that Brandy Andersson has joined the firm as a Senior Attorney in our Kirkland office. Practicing law since 2002, Brandy started off as a felony criminal prosecutor and later transitioned to family law. She spent several years at Eastside Legal Assistance Program (ELAP) and most recently managed a solo family law practice, where she also served as a Guardian ad Litem. Brandy is an accomplished litigator in court. While she excels in litigation, her goal is to resolve her clients’ cases ...
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  • Emotional Affairs and Divorce

    Emotional Affairs and Divorce In a society with an increasing reliance on technology and social media use, it can feel easier than ever to find romantic interests in our day-to-day lives. A recent survey shows that almost one-fifth of U.S. adults are taking advantage of the booming online dating industry through apps like Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble. While the world of online connection can be a positive way to stay in touch with friends and make new ones, social technology can also open the door to infidelity. While physical affairs may be the first ...
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  • Four Mistakes to Avoid When Searching for a Divorce Attorney

    Four Mistakes to Avoid When Searching for a Divorce Attorney Choosing the right attorney to handle a divorce case can be overwhelming with all of the different options that are available. However, having the right attorney can make all the difference in the outcome of matters like child custody , child support , and alimony. Although some people are tempted to hire the first lawyer they find just because they want to get the divorce over with as quickly as possible, it is a major decision that should not be taken lightly. Below, we explain what to consider and which mistakes to avoid ...
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  • Why Parents Shouldn’t Stay Married for the Kids’ Sake

    Why Parents Shouldn’t Stay Married for the Kids’ Sake Divorce can be a treacherous path to navigate. Emotions can run high after a couple decides to end a marriage—and for couples with children, stress levels can surge even higher when it comes time to determine child custody and child support in court. Although divorce takes its toll on parents, it can also take a toll on children. Many parents neglect to manage their own emotions for the sake of shielding their children from the conflict, stress, and upheaval of divorce. While it can be tough for children to process that ...
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