McKinley Irvin Blogs from June 2020

• Practical Issues for Divorces During the Health Crisis

  Jun 29, 2020
  By Theresa Lorella, McKinley Irvin Senior Attorney Some things are easier said than done during the COVID-19 pandemic, even if parties are agreed. While businesses are beginning to open up again, it is often with limited schedules and capacities, or specific rules. This means that some of the physical steps of separating may be a bit more difficult than they were prior. While this applies to just about anything that once seemed normal, the issue of moving to a new residence has been one that has required a fair amount of ...
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• Temporary Orders for Divorces During COVID-19

  Jun 25, 2020
  By Theresa Lorella, McKinley Irvin Senior Attorney What are Temporary Orders? At the beginning of a case, usually after filing and beginning a divorce action with the court, parties seek temporary orders to determine who will live where, who will pay what bills, and how they will take care of the children, amongst any other particular issues, between the time of filing and the time of finishing the case. The more traditional route to temporary orders is through the court, by filing a series of documents and pleadings, ...
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• Domestic Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic

  Jun 24, 2020
  By Theresa Lorella, McKinley Irvin Senior Attorney One of the side effects of the government’s stay-at-home orders is that people are now literally mandated to be in a house with a person who may be abusive physically, emotionally, or financially. Violence, control, and anger may be heightened by proximity and the aggravating factors of social stress, a bad economy, and the general anxiety of adapting to a new normal. Unfortunately, the stories—and jokes in poor taste—about the increase in domestic violence are true: Cases ...
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• Living Together While Planning a Divorce During COVID-19

  Jun 22, 2020
  By Theresa Lorella, McKinley Irvin Senior Attorney If you already knew you would like to move forward with a separation prior to COVID and you feel safe moving forward, you can continue to work on your case. If the plan—or circumstance—is to stay together in the same house pending next steps, there are a few things you can do to keep your case moving and to help avoid inevitable conflicts. Safety First Even partners who are not planning on a divorce are finding that stay-at-home orders are resulting in frayed emotions and ...
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• Discussing Divorce During the Current Health Crisis

  Jun 19, 2020
  By Theresa Lorella, McKinley Irvin Senior Attorney For many people, COVID—like other life-changing events—has only intensified their desire to move forward with their lives and to be honest with those around them. With the practical considerations and flexibility listed in this guide, you can absolutely get your case started so there is no need to delay approaching your spouse about a separation. If your partner is on the same page, you may even be able to use some of the tools listed in my Divorce and COVID-19 Guide to have ...
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• Whether or Not to File for Divorce During the Current Health Crisis

  Jun 18, 2020
  By Theresa Lorella, McKinley Irvin Senior Attorney People thinking about divorce or separation as COVID guidelines went into place have fallen under two broad categories now that the stay-at-home orders are upon us: Those who told their spouse (or physically separated, or filed a case, etc.) before the pandemic hit; and those who didn’t have the chance to break the news before all the COVID regulations went into place. For those who did have the opportunity to have a meaningful conversation with their spouse prior to COVID ...
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• Parenting Plan Modifications and the COVID-19 Pandemic

  Jun 1, 2020
  By Casey Sanders, McKinley Irvin Family Law Attorney COVID-19 has had a broad impact on our society…but could it have an impact on parenting plans? Washington law heavily favors sticking with an existing parenting plan unless certain circumstances are met for “adequate cause” to modify the parenting plan. The most likely reasons for a court to find “adequate cause” as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are a detrimental environment for the children, a substantial deviation from the plan by changing the primary residence of ...
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