Relationship Planning

Setting your relationship up for success


Falling in love is the most amazing feeling. When you are ready to take that next step, whether moving in or getting married, actively working with your spouse on future plans should be part of your process. We are here to help. Our skilled family law attorneys can provide guidance as you navigate the laws that could impact you and your relationship. Planning for your future is the ultimate expression of care. After all, what could be more romantic than talking about your future plans and then setting that plan together?

BEFORE YOU SAY ‘I DO’

Prenuptial Agreements


You’re engaged! Congratulations. This is such
 an exciting time in your life. Working through a prenuptial agreement together can lay the foundation for open and honest communication during your marriage. Through the formation of the agreement, you will be discussing your financial situation and plans for the future. Did you know that couples with prenuptial agreements are actually less likely to get a divorce than those without them?


Our team of attorneys in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties are ready to discuss your options and determine whether a prenup is the right choice for you. They are available to draft or review as needed to help ensure the document meets the fairness standards set by Washington courts.
Congratulations on your engagement! This is such an exciting time in your life. Working through a prenuptial agreement together can lay the foundation for open and honest communication during your marriage. Through the formation of the agreement, you will be discussing your financial situation and plans for the future. Did you know that couples with prenuptial agreements are actually less likely to get divorced than those without them?

 

Our team of skilled attorneys, serving the entire state of Washington, is primed to assist you in comprehending your alternatives and deciding whether a prenup aligns with your needs. They are available to draft or review as needed to help ensure the document meets the fairness standards set by the Washington courts. 

 

Prenuptial agreements hold more than just legal value—they symbolize an open approach to the future and a dedication to the longevity of your marital journey.

Relationship Planning

PRENUPTIAL FACTS

Things to
Know Before

 

ADDRESSING YOUR CONCERNS

Postnuptial Agreement

 

A postnuptial agreement, often referred to as postnups, have gained significant popularity in recent years. There are various compelling reasons for couples in Washington state to contemplate entering into a post nuptial agreement. Engaging in thoughtful conversations about potential changes in your relationship’s circumstances can foster stability and confidence within a marriage. 

 

Allow our dedicated matrimonial and family law attorneys, to create a well-crafted postnup that can cover various aspects, such as determining arrangements for your children, defining the division of assets, and many more.

 

By collaborating with one of our experienced postnuptial agreement lawyers, you can create a post-marital agreement tailored to your unique situation, ensuring that your agreement comprehensively addresses these important matters, and providing you and your partner with peace of mind.

Relationship Planning
Relationship Planning

UNMARRIED COUPLES

Cohabitation Agreements


If you and your partner decide to live together without marrying, it’s wise to consider establishing a cohabitation agreement.  What is a cohabitation agreement, you ask? Well, it’s a contract designed to outline the financial and property-related aspects of your relationship. This agreement becomes particularly crucial if your relationship meets the court-defined criteria for a committed intimate relationship. In the absence of such an agreement, assets and debts acquired during the relationship might be subject to equitable distribution by the court.

 

To more clearly determine how assets will be distributed and utilized in the event of separation or the passing of one partner, many couples opt to enter a legally binding contract. This contract is commonly referred to as a “Cohabitation Agreement” or “Living Together Agreement.” It effectively defines the rights of each partner and establishes the desired outcomes. 

 

Our team of family law attorneys, based in Washington state, can expertly draft this agreement for you and your partner, offering comprehensive protection for both parties.

UNMARRIED COUPLES

Cohabitation Agreements


If you decide to live with your partner but not marry, you may want to consider creating a contract to define the financial and other property aspects of your relationship. Without an agreement, and assuming your relationship meets court-defined standards of a committed intimate relationship, the court will equitably distribute assets and debts considered community property acquired during the relationship.

To more clearly determine how assets will be distributed and used upon separation or one partner’s death, couples often choose to enter into a contract, known as a “Cohabitation Agreement” or “Living Together Agreement,” defining their rights and desired outcome. Our Washington-based family law attorneys can write a contract for you and your partner to ensure you are both protected.

Relationship Planning

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ANOTHER OPTION

Domestic Partnerships


Domestic partnership in Washington State, are less prevalent following the federal recognition of same-sex marriage. Nevertheless, opting for registration as domestic partners bestows upon couples the legal rights and responsibilities akin to those of married couples under state law. It’s important to note that while registered domestic partnership provides state-level privileges, these couples do not enjoy identical rights and responsibilities as married couples at the federal level.

 

If you’re considering entering a domestic partnership, you don’t necessarily require an attorney to facilitate the process. You might want to consider engaging our experienced team of estate planning and family law attorneys. Their expertise can be invaluable in safeguarding your assets and ensuring your intentions are preserved within the framework of domestic partnership regulations in Washington State.

IN WASHINGTON STATE

You can register for a domestic partnership only if:


  • You or your partner is at least 62 years old
  • The other partner is at least 18 years old
  • You are both legally capable of consenting to the domestic partnership
  • Neither of you is already married or in a domestic partnership
  • You are not too closely related by blood
  • You are living together

FURTHER READING

Blog Posts

Prenuptial agreements (also known as prenups) can play a pivotal role in safeguarding individual spousal rights in the event of divorce and can also strengthen a marriage.

If you and your partner reside in Washington state and are unmarried, you each might qualify for the legal protections availed to you by law by classifying your relationship as a committed intimate relationship.

A co-executor can help facilitate the distribution of assets, minimize conflicts, and provide much-needed support to grieving families.

The law makes it easy for people to get out of bad marriages. Washington, like most states, acknowledges no-fault divorce. This means that if you want a court to dissolve your marriage, all you have to do is file for…

Washington state’s laws on non-marital relationships, including committed intimate relationships (CIRs), can be convoluted, especially in the absence of a cohabitation agreement. Given the ambiguity that exists for unmarried partners in Washington state, thinking about the future and what it could look like is more important than ever. This is especially true in terms of aging, incapacity, and death. Fortunately, you can address each of these issues in a comprehensive estate plan.

Prenups and postnups can strengthen a marriage, given how they require relationship partners to put their cards on the table for each other to see, offering transparency and peace of mind. Despite their similarities, there are a few significant differences between the two.

In today’s world of fast-paced decision-making and on-demand solutions, such as DIY divorces, it is not surprising that many couples contemplate divorce the moment they find themselves unhappily married. Our culture’s fickle mentality often seems to advocate for the idea…

In the wake of divorce or separation, co-parenting can feel stressful. Not only have you just gone through an emotional experience, but you are also now trying to figure out how both you and your co-parent can spend time with…

If you are in the process of getting remarried, a prenuptial agreement may be the last thing on your mind. It should be at the forefront of it, however, as it can be beneficial for you, your spouse, and, if…

You can use Collaborative Law to support your process of creating and negotiating a prenup with your partner.

If you are in love and looking to plan a life with your partner, congratulations. This is an exciting time for you both, and the goal is that the relationship will stand the test of time. However, a recent study…

Instead of marrying, increasingly, more couples are choosing to cohabitate outside of marriage. Many couples decide this for a variety of reasons, including testing the waters about whether they are suitable to live together as a couple or don’t believe…

One spouse’s diagnosis of a significant illness can impact a marriage in substantial ways. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, many aspects of a family (defined in various ways across the research) can be affected.…

A prenup can take many of the “what ifs” off the table in the event of divorce. What is separate property, who might have to maintain life insurance, and who will keep the heirloom piano that’s been passed down for…

So you are getting married. Congratulations on finding a person with whom you can share your life, rely on, and confide in, especially during difficult times. In other words, your best friend. It means you should be able to talk…