McKinley Irvin Blogs from March 2023

• When Spouses Try to Hide Assets in Divorce

  Mar 31, 2023
  Unfortunately, some spouses try to play hardball by hiding assets before or during divorce proceedings so they can keep their ex-spouses from obtaining their fair share. Some spouses choose to hide assets because they fear they might receive less in the final divorce agreement, while others have managed their household’s finances for years and think they can get away with it because their ex has been left in the dark. No matter the reason, spouses who attempt to hide assets in their divorces can face serious consequences for ...
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• Co-Parenting During Spring Break

  Mar 27, 2023
  Determining how co-parents will allocate the time they get to spend with their children during spring break can sometimes be challenging. When co-parents fail to discuss and coordinate their plans, it can create serious disputes that might need to be resolved in court. If you want to enjoy spring break with your kids and avoid arguing with your co-parent, then consider the following tips. Determine a Long-Term Custody Schedule Although it’s normal for both parents to get excited about making fun plans with the children for ...
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• Five Questions to Ask Before Filing for Divorce

  Mar 20, 2023
  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

  Mar 16, 2023
  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

  Mar 9, 2023
  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

  Mar 6, 2023
  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?

  Mar 3, 2023
  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

  Mar 1, 2023
  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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