Blog - Elise Buie Family Law

A couple preparing food in their kitchen

Did the Pandemic Keep You From Getting a Divorce? A New Study Says it Did

February 11, 2021

Now more than ever, especially under the stress of the ongoing pandemic, effective co-parenting strategies may be needed more than ever before. A recent study suggests that divorces have decreased over the past year, contrary to what past predictions suggested. The implication is there are many households currently in crisis, with dissatisfied couples on the verge of divorce, who will need guidance in the coming months as the vaccination effort takes effect and the world emerges from the COVID crisis.

What Is Digital Estate Planning?

February 9, 2021

The importance of having a digital estate plan has grown exponentially over the past decade as technology continues to occupy our daily lives. Without an estate plan, these assets could be lost forever, or your personal security could be at risk. These possibilities lead to the question: Who has access to my online accounts, and how will those accounts be managed and distributed if I become incapacitated or pass away?

Washington Probate: Paying the Decedent’s Debts, Tax Returns, and Distributing the Estate

February 4, 2021

The final article in a three-part series about probate in Washington state. If someone dies owing a debt, does the debt go away when they die? No. Generally, the deceased person’s estate is responsible for paying any unpaid debts. The estate’s finances are handled by the personal representative, executor, or administrator.

You Have Kids. Should You Date Before Finalizing Your Divorce?

February 2, 2021

You’re getting divorced, and it’s the first time you’ve been single in years. You’re thinking about starting to date but are wondering whether this is a good idea or not. You anticipate your divorce taking a while, and worry about putting your dating life on hold for months, even years. So how do you decide if now’s the right time to dip your toe in the dating pool?

Washington State Probate: Posting Bond, Securing Assets, and Out of State Property

January 29, 2021

Going through probate is a process with very specific steps and need not be confusing or complicated. After the executor’s appointment, the following will occur: the executor may need to post a bond, assets will need to be marshaled, and there may be ancillary probate for out-of-state property.

This Valentine’s Day, Give the One You Love a Prenup. They Are More Romantic Than You Think.

January 26, 2021

Valentine’s Day is coming up, and you may already be thinking about popping the question, or perhaps you are engaged and wondering what to give your soon-be-be-spouse. Why not consider a prenuptial agreement or “prenup”? Maybe it is not as idyllic as picking out wedding décor, but a prenup is one of the best marriage-related decisions you will ever have the opportunity to make.

Washington State Probate: The first 3 steps

January 22, 2021

The most common misunderstanding I run into in estate planning is that people believe having a will allows them to avoid probate. That is not the case. Having a will requires probate to implement the deceased person’s written intentions. Probate is not the end of the world. In fact, in the State of Washington, probate is a relatively seamless process that an attorney can guide you through.

Why Are Young People More Likely To Sign a Prenup Than Their Parents?

January 20, 2021

Regardless of age, a prenuptial agreement can protect your interests before marriage. Getting a prenup has nothing to do with your outlook on marriage or how committed you are to your spouse. On the contrary, getting a prenup speaks to how much you value a marriage where both partners feel comfortable knowing they’re protected — in love and under the law.

3 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Staying in a Bad Marriage for the Kids

January 13, 2021

You’re at lunch with your friends. Or on the phone with your mother. You get to talking about what a jerk your spouse is and how you wish you weren’t with them anymore. You rattle off a laundry list of reasons why you can’t stand them. In isolation, none of the reasons seem too bad. Taken together, the thought of this person walking through the door at night sickens you to the point of contempt. And you haven’t even gotten to the quality of your sex life — or lack of it.

Why Does Everyone Say January Is ‘Divorce Month,’ and What Does It Mean for You?

January 5, 2021

In the U.S., divorce filings typically increase between 25 percent to 30 percent in January. It makes the concept of “Divorce Month” a recorded phenomenon and not just another theme to describe January on social media. But why the sudden rise in divorces?

INSIGHTS

Our Blog

Topics