What You Should and Shouldn’t Store in a Safe Deposit Box
November 11, 2021
The thought of losing your home or its contents in a disaster is a scary thought. Loss of life, destruction of irreplaceable items such as
Money and Assets
What To Expect When Divorcing in Washington State and Your Spouse Cannot Support Themselves
September 30, 2021
When a couple decides to divorce, and one spouse is unable to support themselves, spousal support becomes a hot-button issue. Learn how to mitigate conflict and move forward.
QDRO, dividing your retirement accounts as part of your divorce
September 2, 2021
Having to complete a QDRO in Washington State as part of your divorce will force you to take a look at your retirement accounts, what’s in them, and their terms. Learn how this impacts your divorce and your estate plan.
#FreeBritney, How Guardianship Works
June 3, 2021
A guardian is necessary when a person or minor is considered “incapacitated.” A person is incapacitated if the person is: 1) a minor; 2) an adult who, because of a physical or mental condition, is substantially unable to: a) provide food, clothing, or shelter for himself or herself; b) care for the person’s own physical health; or c) manage the person’s own financial affairs; or 3) must have a conservator appointed for the person to receive funds due the person from a governmental source.
Why Divorce Is the Best Time To Rethink Your Estate Plan
May 11, 2021
If you’re currently going through a divorce in Washington State, you’re probably digging through piles of papers looking for bills, statements, and other important documents. During that search, most people, however, forget to revisit their estate planning documents. Learn why you should.
Bill and Melinda Gates Announce Split and Ultra High-Net-Worth Divorce With More Than Money at Stake: How They Can Keep Their Divorce Amicable
May 4, 2021
A high-net-worth divorce doesn’t necessarily have to become a circus or take years to finalize. With awareness, a couple with extensive assets can emerge from a divorce financially and emotionally sound, ready for a solid future. But it will require a commitment from both parties to ensure that happens. As a Seattle family law attorney, here are a few of my tips to keep tensions at bay.
5 Last Minute Questions Asked and Answered About Divorce, Taxes, and Your 2020 Return
April 27, 2021
The federal income tax is complicated as is. Factor in a divorce, tax season can become that much more of a headache. If you’re contemplating divorce or are currently in the divorce process, here are five last minute issues you and your ex-spouse should consider before filing your 2020 return.
Should I Include My Retirement And Investment Accounts in My Estate Plan?
April 6, 2021
Probate is the court-supervised process of gathering your assets, paying off your debts and taxes, and distributing what’s left of your estate to your heirs and beneficiaries. However, that doesn’t have to include all assets. Your retirement and investment assets have the potential to bypass probate if located in the type of accounts that can transfer upon death to a designated beneficiary. When considering whether to include your retirement and investment accounts in your estate plan, here’s what you need to know.
Why I Believe in Cleaning Up Finances Before Closets
March 23, 2021
I’ve always been interested in finding ways to take control of my future, especially as I was going through my divorce. So when a friend passed along to me a copy of Marie Kondō’s best-selling book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing,” I couldn’t wait to begin reading it.
Estate Planning for a Single Parent
March 19, 2021
The percentage of children who live in a single-parent household has increased significantly. While estate planning for single parents is similar to estate planning for families with two parents, you should take special consideration and outline specific provisions in your estate plan if you’re a single parent due to death, divorce, or life choice. If you’re a single parent, estate planning should become a high priority.