McKinley Irvin Blogs from October 2023

• Understanding Parenting Evaluations in Washington

  Oct 30, 2023
  Child custody can be a contentious and stressful part of any divorce. Although any dissolution of marriage can be emotionally and financially burdensome enough on its own, divorcing with children entails its own unique challenges, often creating additional complications and confusion in family court. In Washington State, parenting evaluations play an important role in helping family courts make informed decisions that prioritize the best interests of the children involved. In this blog, we’ll explore the purpose of parenting ...
  Posted By McKinley Irvin
  Continue reading >>

• What to Do After Losing Child Custody

  Oct 27, 2023
  Losing custody of one’s child can be devastating, but it isn’t necessarily the end of the road. When the court takes away a parent’s custody rights, it’s because the judge believes that the child would enjoy a happier and healthier life under someone else’s care. Custody might have been granted to the child’s other parent, or perhaps to grandparents or other relatives. In any case, it is possible to regain custody of the child if you take the necessary steps to prove that you are the best person to raise your child. If you ...
  Posted By McKinley Irvin
  Continue reading >>

• How to Financially Prepare for a Washington Divorce

  Oct 23, 2023
  Divorce often comes with a range of stressors. From determining property division to establishing custodial rights between co-parents, there is much to consider in a Washington divorce. For many divorcing spouses, financial concerns are paramount when preparing for marriage dissolution, leaving many people to wonder how to best prepare financially for their upcoming divorce. In this blog, we’ll review several essential ways for families to financially prepare for divorce in Washington State. 7 Financial Tips to Prepare for ...
  Posted By McKinley Irvin
  Continue reading >>

• McKinley Irvin Welcomes Three New Attorneys in Seattle

  Oct 23, 2023
  We are pleased to announce that attorneys Ericka Kendall, Colin Patzer, and John Phillips have joined McKinley Irvin as Support Attorneys in our Seattle office. Ericka Kendall Ericka Kendall previously served as a King County Deputy Prosecutor and earned her J.D. from Seattle University School of Law. Before that, she worked as an animal behavior researcher and office manager in a psychology practice. This well-rounded background enriches her insights into cases and guides the advice she imparts to clients. Colin Patzer ...
  Posted By McKinley Irvin
  Continue reading >>

• Benefits of Using a Forensic Accountant in a Divorce

  Oct 20, 2023
  When a couple begins the divorce process, transparency about assets is critical. This information provides the foundation for nearly every aspect of a divorce agreement, but nowhere more than property division. There can be no fair determination of which spouse receives what if there is no true accounting of the marital property. From finding hidden bank accounts to revealing the dissipation of assets, a forensic accountant’s work can result in a fairer divorce settlement Role of a Forensic Accountant Divorce lawyers lean on ...
  Posted By McKinley Irvin
  Continue reading >>

• Valuation of Real Estate in Divorce

  Oct 16, 2023
  Under Washington's community property law, assets must be divided equitably between spouses who file for divorce. Dividing assets equitably does not necessarily mean a 50/50 split between the spouses. During the divorce, both parties must take stock of the assets they own and assign a value, regardless of if the asset is in one spouse’s name or jointly owned. This process is called valuation. Although valuation of property can be fairly simple when it comes to a bank or retirement account, it can be complicated if there is ...
  Posted By McKinley Irvin
  Continue reading >>

• Who Makes Medical Decisions for Children After Divorce?

  Oct 13, 2023
  Divorce can be a challenging and emotional process, especially when there are children involved. In addition to complex emotional burdens and legal considerations, separating parents must also address practical matters, such as establishing whom the child will primarily live with and which parent retains the right to make important life decisions for their child’s safety and wellbeing, including healthcare decisions. In Washington, the question of medical decision-making largely depends on the type of child custody awarded ...
  Posted By McKinley Irvin
  Continue reading >>

• How Are Household Items Divided in a Divorce?

  Oct 9, 2023
  When couples go through a divorce, they must find a way to extricate themselves from one another in a way that allows them to move forward with their own lives. Although the decision to separate from one another is highly personal and emotional, there are several other changes that come with the process, including the division of your assets. In a divorce, the couple must divide their shared property, including everything big and small, from their savings funds to their furniture. Part of the divorce process is determining ...
  Posted By McKinley Irvin
  Continue reading >>