Money and Assets
I’m Getting a Divorce. What If My Ex Won’t Move Out of the Marital Home?
December 8, 2020
It's the question Phil Collins posed in court last month after his ex-wife, Orianne Cevey, and her new husband, Thomas Bates, refused to vacate the singer's Miami Beach Mansion, estimated at 40 million dollars. Vanity Fair reported that although Collins holds the property in a company owned by him, Cevey claims she has an ownership interest. Taking legal matters into her hands, Cevey and her new hubby have denied her ex-husband access by changing the locks and alarm codes and otherwise blocking Collins and his representatives from entering.
Should You Keep the Marital Home in Your Divorce?
November 17, 2020
When it comes to the family home, you have numerous choices to weigh before deciding, each of which could affect you and your family for years to come. It will behoove you to remember the difference between a house and a home during this emotional transition. Your house is a place where you live. A home is any place with you living in it.
Don’t Name Your Child As The Beneficiary
October 15, 2020
When you have children, you'll go to the ends of the earth to protect them and make sure they are safe and happy. It's a major reason why parents buy life insurance — or the main one at least. Having life insurance means that if something happened to you, your children would be OK financially. B...
Supreme Court Favors Ex-Wife Over Widow In Battle For Life Insurance Proceeds
October 8, 2020
In the event of a divorce, it is important to remember about changing the beneficiaries nominated on any life insurance policies and pensions (both employer and personal). Failing to do so could mean that, in the event of death, your assets would not be distributed in accordance with your wishes....
Should I Divide My Estate Equally Among My Children? Why Equal Is Not Necessarily Fair
September 22, 2020
Equality is a noble concept and one that many people turn to when deciding how to divide up their estate. There are many circumstances in which equal distribution of assets among beneficiaries is the right choice, but there are some cases where identical inheritances do not make the most sense. I...
Protecting Your Family Home
July 26, 2020
For most families, a home is among their most valuable assets, both financially and emotionally. It is important to be thoughtful about how you are going to leave a home and to whom. If there are issues between siblings, tax considerations, or other family needs to consider, the parent should make an informed decision about what to do with the house and ensure that their estate plan reflects these wishes. It is particularly important to come up with a specific plan for your home.
How To Protect Yourself During Divorce
March 3, 2020
If you're going through a divorce in Washington State, there are five important estate planning questions you should consider. They are: What happens if I die during my divorce? What happens if I become incapacitated during my divorce? How can I protect myself during divorce? How can I protect my children during divorce? How can I make sure my share of community property goes to the people I want it to go to rather than my future ex-spouse if I become incapacitated or die during my divorce?
Separate and Community Property in Divorce
June 24, 2019
Washington State is one of the nine community property states in the country. This means that, as a general rule, spouses will own an equal interest in any property acquired during the marriage, even where only one spouse's name is on the bank account, paycheck, or title. This distinction has a ...
Affording a Divorce
May 30, 2019
A lack of money is commonly one of the biggest stressors that a married couple has to deal with. This doesn't become any less of an issue when it comes to a divorce. If you are struggling to stay afloat in your current arrangement, the thought of paying for a divorce can be a daunting one; two ho...
Guidelines for Protecting Your Small Business During a Divorce
May 20, 2019
Guidelines for Protecting Your Small Business During a Divorce