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.

  • Attorney Courtney Bellio Joins McKinley Irvin in Portland

    Attorney Courtney Bellio Joins McKinley Irvin in Portland McKinley Irvin welcomes our newest family law attorney, Courtney Bellio, to the firm’s Portland office. Courtney represents clients in a wide variety of family law matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, parenting plan modifications, and relocation. We are pleased to bring such a strong advocate to our growing Portland team. Courtney is a graduate of the Lewis & Clark Law School in Oregon and will serve clients from our downtown Portland office, located at 1000 SW Broadway, Suite 1810. Read Courtney’s full ...
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  • MI Welcomes New Partner Cameron Fleury in our Tacoma Office

    MI Welcomes New Partner Cameron Fleury in our Tacoma Office We are pleased to welcome Cameron Fleury as a partner to McKinley Irvin. With over 25 years practicing family law in addition to his experience as a mediator and pro tempore Superior Court Commissioner in Pierce County, Cameron has earned his reputation as one of the region’s premier family law attorneys. Cameron will focus his practice at McKinley Irvin on divorce matters involving financially complex estates with significant assets, high-value property, and/or business interests. He is also deeply committed to protecting ...
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  • Child Support Rules for Military Families

    Child Support Rules for Military Families All parents are financially responsible for their children in some regard, but military parents have a specific obligation to provide for their families. There are several laws in place designed to protect children and ensure that they receive the support they need so that they enjoy a healthy, prosperous childhood. Military service members are held to an even higher standard and are subject to punishment from their commanding officer if they fail to provide for their families. This applies to military parents who have ...
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  • Can I Date While I’m Going Through a Divorce?

    Can I Date While I’m Going Through a Divorce? Choosing to date before your divorce is finalized can be a tricky call, especially because you aren’t necessarily right or wrong one way or another. Everyone moves on in different ways and at different speeds, and some people take longer to “get back out there” than others. However, it is important to be mindful of how quickly you do decide to move on because dating during the divorce or separation process can bring about additional problems and challenges. If you are considering dating during your divorce or legal ...
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  • Can I Change My Mind After Signing Divorce Papers?

    Can I Change My Mind After Signing Divorce Papers? Once a divorce is filed, that’s it—right? Not always. First, it depends on your reason for reversing a divorce: For those who want to reverse the divorce in order to change the terms of their divorce settlement , the options are limited. If the divorce papers have been signed and accepted by the court, you will need to consider filing for an appeal or for a modification of your divorce settlement after the fact. These are issues that should be discussed with a divorce attorney. For those who wish to “cancel” the divorce and ...
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  • 3 Ways Divorce Can Affect Your Career

    3 Ways Divorce Can Affect Your Career A divorce is more than just a personal change—it can alter your professional life as well. While you might be focusing primarily on the emotional pressures and personal issues that come with divorce, there are several practical concerns that require your attention. Often when a person leaves a marriage, this change also means you might have to rethink the way you currently work. For instance, if you work full-time, you might have to adjust to a new role as a single parent by cutting hours. Alternatively, if you weren’t ...
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  • Seven MI Attorneys Listed in 2020 Best Lawyers

    Seven MI Attorneys Listed in 2020 Best Lawyers McKinley Irvin is happy to announce that seven attorneys from McKinley Irvin have been recognized for the practice of family law by Best Lawyers, the oldest peer-review publication in the legal profession. The following McKinley Irvin attorneys have been included in 2020 Best Lawyers in America list: Marc T. Christianson, Of Counsel Janet A. George, Of Counsel Elizabeth A. Michelson, Of Counsel Jennifer Payseno, Partner Laura Sell, Law Practice Managing Partner David B. Starks, Partner Gordon W. Wilcox, Of Counsel Only 31 ...
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  • What is a Divorce Settlement Conference

    What is a Divorce Settlement Conference Getting a divorce can be complicated, but most divorces settle without going to trial. To settle means that both parties (the spouses) agree upon a negotiated divorce settlement and enter the settlement with the court for approval. As part of this process, the divorcing couple may be required to participate in a divorce settlement conference. A divorce settlement conference is a proceeding used to try and settle a divorce before it goes to trial. In Washington state, depending on the jurisdiction, these conferences may be ...
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  • Co-Parenting & Discipline: How to Maintain Consistency and Compassion

    Co-Parenting & Discipline: How to Maintain Consistency and Compassion Being a parent isn’t easy, especially when you share your parenting time with your ex-spouse. The two of you may no longer be a couple, but you are both responsible for raising your child with love, consistency, and healthy boundaries. Acclimating to life as a single parent can be very difficult, especially if the divorce is causing your child to act out or if you and your ex have disagreements on how you want to parent your child. Keep in mind that you are all taking on new roles, so an adjustment period is perfectly ...
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  • McKinley Irvin Launches Branded Thought Leadership Program

    McKinley Irvin Launches Branded Thought Leadership Program McKinley Irvin is launching a branded thought leadership program for attorneys called “Did You Know?,” which will be comprised of engaging networking events. On June 26 th , we held our inaugural Did You Know? event at Friends of Waterfront Seattle. This event offered a behind-the-scenes look at Seattle’s changing waterfront—complete with Ivar’s clam chowder and an opportunity to connect with colleagues. Many thanks to Friends of Waterfront Seattle for the dynamic presentation and Ivar’s Acres of Clams for the delicious clam ...
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"Last fall you recommended McKinley Irvin for my son’s divorce. It has been a long and difficult year. [My son's] divorce was settled Monday ..."
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