McKinley Irvin Blogs from 2013

• How to Create a Workable Long-Distance Parenting Plan

  Dec 26, 2013
  When the homes of divorced or separated parents are far away from each other, or if either parent relocates a significant distance away, a long-distance parenting plan can provide the children and non-residential parents with ample opportunity to maintain regular contact. Long-distance parenting plans require careful consideration and detailed planning that takes into account the unique realities of each family. We recommend that long-distance parenting plans outline the child's travel expenses, decisions on travel ...
  Posted By Elizabeth A. Hoffman
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• The 5 Most Important Assets to Protect in a Divorce

  Dec 11, 2013
  When facing a divorce, your mind will likely be racing as you think about everything you want to protect, from your finances and property to your relationship with your children. In this post, we are focusing on the assets that are typically the most important to protect for your future well being. Of course, you will decide which are most important to you; this article is intended to provide some guidance on which assets are usually most significant. #1: Retirement Accounts Among the most important assets to protect in a ...
  Posted By Lindsay Noel
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• McKinley Irvin makes the list - U.S. News-Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms" in 2014

  Nov 18, 2013
  McKinley Irvin has been named a Tier 1 firm in Seattle for Family Law by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” in 2014. A total of nine law firms were named in the family law practice area, and McKinley Irvin is honored to be ranked among them for the third consecutive year. The U.S.News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” in 2014 report was published on November 1, 2013. It includes firms that are recognized by their clients and peers, and who have passed a rigorous evaluation process. McKinley Irvin received a ...
  Posted By MCKINLEY IRVIN
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• When Should I Seek a Domestic Violence Protection Order?

  Oct 14, 2013
  A Domestic Violence Protection Order (sometimes shortened to “DVPO” and sometimes referred to as a “restraining order”) is one of the primary tools offered by the court system to protect a victim (or potential victim) of domestic abuse. A domestic violence protection order can temporarily restrict contact between an abuser and his or her victim. If the order is not followed, serious civil and criminal sanctions may be imposed. Despite the usefulness and effectiveness of this remedy, many victims or potential victims are ...
  Posted By Jamie R. Walker
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• Understanding "Fair and Equitable" Division of Property in a No-Fault Divorce

  Sep 25, 2013
  The laws of the vast majority of the United States instruct courts to divide a divorcing couple's assets and provide spousal support (alimony) in a "fair and equitable" manner. A fair and equitable distribution of property or award of spousal support generally excludes any consideration of which party caused the divorce. Instead, courts must consider each spouse’s specific economic circumstances at the time of divorce. Here, we’ll cover: What's the difference between fault and no-fault divorce? How does a court decided what ...
  Posted By Marc T. Christianson
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• The Hazards of Email, Text Messages & Social Media in a Divorce

  Sep 16, 2013
  Email. Texting. Facebook. Instagram. Any one of these methods of electronic communication can—and have—been used as evidence in court. For people going through a divorce, you should expect that your electronic communications will be scrutinized. Many individuals going through a divorce freely text, email and status-update without considering the strategic risks and dangers that come along with these types of electronic communications. Before you post your next Facebook update, consider some interesting stats from the ...
  Posted By Kim Schnuelle
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• 5 Misconceptions About Common-Law Marriage

  Sep 7, 2013
  Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis did it. Maybe. So did Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins. Probably. Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell are still doing it. What is it these famous couples have been doing? They all have waded into the murky waters that constitute common-law marriage. Many of us have heard the term "common-law marriage," and have some notion that living with a partner for some magic number of years creates a common-law marriage by default. More often than not, this is not the case. And the law around common-law marriage ...
  Posted By Lindsay D. Camandona
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• 2 McKinley Irvin Attorneys in "Best Lawyers in America" 2014

  Aug 26, 2013
  We are proud to recognize two of our attorneys for their inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2014 in the field of Family Law: Marc Christianson and David Starks. Best Lawyers® is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal industry. It is an honor for our attorneys to be recognized by their peers for their knowledge, leadership, and caliber of service to their clients. Only 17 family lawyers in WA state were chosen for this distinction. Marc Christianson Best Lawyers in America, Family Law, ...
  Posted By McKinley Irvin
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