Columbia Family Divorce Law Blog

For any couple, talking about a divorce can be incredibly difficult. For some, it may even seem downright impossible.

Divorcing spouses in Washington State who have been working hard to come to a final settlement when ending their marriage may well have a new reason to try and push for a quick resolution. As explained by Bloomberg, the New Year will bring with it a major change to divorce taxes when it comes to alimony payments and this change may well increase the cost of divorces, especially for couples with high incomes.

Given the strong bond that many grandparents in Federal Way establish with their grandchildren, one might assume that the law recognizes their right have to continued access to their grandchildren should situational changes restrict it. After all, one might argue that continuing a relationship with a grandparent would certainly be in a child’s best interests.

Couples considering divorce typically understand that this process can take some time and may impact many areas of their lives. Couples who have a child, for example, will need to consider custody arrangements.

In an ideal situation, a child’s parents are able to provide a loving environment and proper care. Unfortunately, there are times when this is not possible and grandparents may want to know their options for helping out.

You have now decided to broach the topic of divorce. You and your spouse are in the process of separating and you are trying to determine your next steps.

In a “best case” divorce scenario, both parents are friendly and amicable with one another, sharing parenting responsibilities and acting in their child’s best interest. Unfortunately, many divorces are not amicable, and parental alienation can result.

This blog discusses the law and procedure to obtain a court order declaring the validity of a marriage that was mistakenly entered into prior to the termination of another marriage. A decree of validity of marriage may resolve immigration issues that could arise in a deportation proceeding.

Domestic violence is defined in Washington State to include any form of violence, words or actions that convey a threat, blocking, stalking and cyberstalking. This Legal Guide discusses the concept of stalking as a form of domestic violence.

Most people know that there is a federal constitutional right to a jury trial. This right universally applies to all criminal cases, and most civil cases like personal injury, contract disputes, and so forth. However, the appellate courts (including the US Supreme Court) have ruled that the general federal right to a trial by one’s peers was not intended by the founders to apply to certain cases.