Continue reading »]]> CNBC takes a look at high-profile and celebrity divorces in the series “Divorce Wars.”  Here’s a preview:

The allegation that a spouse is hiding money is not unusual in a divorce. It took Margaret Spenlinhauer 18 years to prove her ex-husband hid assets from her during their divorce. When it was finally over, she settled for $15 million.

Here’s more on hiding assets from a forensic accountant:

Continue reading »]]> Child custody battles, parental alienation, hidden assets, physical violence and hostility are just some of the issues surrounding high conflict divorces.  People who have experienced high conflict divorce often describe it as feeling like they were in a war zone.  The following articles demonstrate how stressful a high conflict divorce can be:

High Conflict Divorce or Stalking by Way of Family Court?
High Conflict Custody Cases and Domestic Violence
High Conflict Divorce, Violence and Abuse
Is Your High Conflict Divorce Causing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Continue reading »]]> Washington State recognizes domestic partnerships, and “provides that for all purposes under state law, state registered domestic partners shall be treated the same as married spouses and that provisions of the act shall be liberally construed to achieve equal treatment, to the extent not in conflict with federal law.”

According to the Washington State Family Law Handbook:

In Washington, a dissolution of marriage, which many people refer to as a divorce, is a legal procedure in superior court that ends the marriage. Washington law now provides that all domestic partnerships be dissolved through an identical court action. Before December 2009, some domestic partnerships could be dissolved or terminated by filing documents with the Secretary of State; after December 2009, this procedure is no longer available. Court action is necessary to dissolve a domestic partnership in Washington.

One or both partners can file for dissolution if a partnership falls apart. The law uses the term “irretrievably broken” to describe this situation. A partnership is “irretrievably broken” if one of the partners says it is. The other partner does not have to agree that the partnership is irretrievably broken in order for one partner to file for dissolution. A partner does not have to prove wrongdoing (such as cruelty or adultery) to dissolve the partnership. This no-fault system is intended to help partners settle matters without unnecessary bitterness or resentment. The court will enter orders for parenting arrangements, how children will be supported, dividing the couple’s property and debts, and possibly for maintenance (alimony).

To read more:
WA Secretary of State: Laws and Regulations pertaining to Domestic Partnerships in Washington State
Family Law Handbook: Understanding the legal implications of domestic partnership and dissolution in Washington State

Continue reading »]]> Dissolution of marriage, or divorce, becomes especially difficult when people are unable to agree to terms.  Reasons for contested divorce include:

• child custody, visitation & child support negotiations
• disagreements about property division and payment of debts
• disagreement over grounds for divorce
• spousal maintenance & support negotiations

Other divorce issues include:

Financial Issues of Divorce
Military Divorce & Separation
Children & Divorce: Helping Your Kids Deal with the Effects of Separation & Divorce

Contested divorces rely on the courts to help settle disputes.  To protect their rights, each of the parties in the divorce should consider being represented by an experienced lawyer.

Continue reading »]]> High profile divorces, like Kim Kardashian’s divorce, sometimes garner a great of public attention.  However, privacy is sometimes a concern during a divorce.  From Rich, Famous Push for Secrecy in Divorce (USA Today):

The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers surveyed 1,600 members last year and found that 90% had handled cases where records were sealed. Nearly 50% had been in courtrooms where part of the trial was closed.

While reporting the Welch divorce, TheConnecticut Law Tribune discovered that Connecticut courts had concealed for 38 years the existence of at least 200 divorce and paternity cases. Among those involved were Clarence Clemons, saxophonist in Bruce Springsteen’s band; rock guitarist Rick Derringer; and a University of Connecticut president, the Hartford Courant reported. Connecticut abolished the secret system in 2003.

New York state has the strictest law: Divorce records are sealed from public inspection, without exception, for 100 years. That’s how it should be, says Judith Poller, a lawyer with the Manhattan firm of Bryan Cave. “When there are broken hearts and betrayals, the instinct may be to use whatever ammunition you have. Much of what lawyers and courts do is to seal kids from the ugliness of the divorce.”

Most states take a case-by-case approach to divorce files, says Lucy Dalglish, executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. She says Minnesota is typical: A judge will seal records if spouses jointly request it, but a news organization may get the records reopened by showing a “great public interest.”

 

Continue reading »]]> Spousal Maintenance (or alimony) in Washington is determined by the length of the marriage, the standard of living established during the marriage and other economic factors, like whether there is a big difference between the spouses’ salaries. It can include financial support through separation and dissolution or divorce.

To read more:
Washington State Legislature: Maintenance Orders for Either Spouse or Either Domestic Partner
WSBA: Dissolution: What You Should Know