Reason #3 why I think mediation is a good idea is a simple one: Cost. Even judges acknowledge that working with the court system can be very expensive for clients. Each side may choose to hire a lawyer, then each side may choose to hire his or her own expert, and then each side puts [...]
Monthly Archive for September, 2008
Why Mediate? Reason #2
Posted in Child Support, Divorce, Mediation on Sep 30th, 2008
First, to review: Reason # 1 to mediate is that it gives YOU control over the process and the outcome.
Reason # 2 to mediate is that it keeps your private life private. Whether you need to reach a short-term agreement, or whether you’re working out your long-term property split, mediation offers you the opportunity to [...]
There are a number of good reasons to mediate, and I’ll cover what I think are the top three in my next series of posts.
Reason #1 - It gives you control over the outcome. In Washington, the standard for dividing property and liabilities is “fair and equitable”. Sometimes fair is 50/50, sometimes fair is 60/40. [...]
Prenuptial agreements…smart planning for the future.
Posted in Divorce, Financial, Prenuptial/postnuptial on Sep 22nd, 2008
A prenuptial agreement, or “prenup” is a contract that you would sign in advance of the wedding. It can be smart planning for the future because it gives you and your honey an opportunity to decide now how you would like assets and debts to be handled in the event of divorce or death later.
In [...]
You can open your own bank account at any time, however…
Washington is a community property state, which means that–with a few exceptions–income and property acquired during marriage is considered to belong to both people in the marriage. (The exceptions are gifts, inheritances and compensation from a lawsuit for pain and suffering.) As long [...]
In Washington, the rules of professional conduct prevent a lawyer from working against the interests of his or her client. In other words, combo deals are good, just not in terms of sharing a lawyer.
The reason that using the same lawyer is a problem in the eyes of the Bar is that there is [...]