McKinley Irvin Blogs from April 2022

• How to Respond to Divorce Papers in Washington

  Apr 26, 2022
  A divorce case officially begins when one spouse files or serves the other spouse with the initial divorce petition. The party being served with divorce papers should receive a copy of the petition and a court summons informing them how much time they have to file a response. The summons contains information specific to the case, such as the case number, while the petition includes the names of the people involved, the legal claim being made, and the desired outcome or relief the filing spouse is seeking. In Washington, the ...
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• Creating a Long-Distance Parenting Plan

  Apr 19, 2022
  When it comes to co-parenting over long distances after divorce or separation, it can be difficult to come up with an effective parenting plan. Because long-distance parenting plans are substantially different than standard parenting plans, co-parents must use creative thinking to address the logistics of this complex arrangement so that both have a fair say in their child’s upbringing. A long-distance parenting plan is a set of instructions that dictates how co-parents will raise their children after divorce or separation. ...
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• Community Property Laws Explained

  Apr 15, 2022
  Community property covers all of the possessions and ownership interests that a couple acquired during the course of their marriage. Marital property can also include all of the shared debts the spouses incurred during marriage, with a few exceptions. Essentially, both partners have a 50% ownership claim under community property law. The state of Washington uses the concept of "community property" to determine which spouse should be awarded property ownership after a marriage. Under community property laws, almost all ...
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• 3 Ways Divorce Can Affect Your Career

  Apr 8, 2022
  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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• Tax Issues Divorced Couples Should Consider

  Apr 4, 2022
  Tax issues overlooked by divorced couples can have a major impact on the settlement, which is why couples need to carefully examine the tax consequences of their settlement so they understand the long-term effects on their financial future. Here are five tax issues to consider after filing for divorce. #1: Tax Filing Status When it comes to taxes, your marital status as of December 31, 2021, will determine your filing status. If you separated before the end of last year but haven’t officially divorced, then you can file a ...
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