Everett Divorce Law Blog

A prenup scrawled on a napkin may not hold up in court

On behalf of Akiona Law, PLLC on Tuesday, November 27, 2018.

If you are planning to wed the love your life, you have likely discussed various issues, such as finances, future family size, career, religion and other topics. In fact, like most Washington couples, you have probably spent hours sharing your thoughts and hopes and dreams with your intended spouse. You and your significant other may agree that signing a prenuptial agreement is in both of your best interests; however, it is always a good idea to research the legal aspects involved with such contracts before signing anything.

When people fail to clarify the laws of their state and choose instead to take matters into their own hands, things don't always turn out the way they hoped they would. For instance, in the late 1980s, film production icon Steven Spielberg and his then wife, Amy Irving, decided to divorce. Problems arose when they expected the judge overseeing their case to enforce a prenuptial agreement they had previously scrawled on a napkin. The judge refused, and Irving walked away with $100 million after four years of marriage.

After-affair guilt could impact divorce negotiations

On behalf of Akiona Law, PLLC on Thursday, August 30, 2018.

After finding out that your spouse cheated, your emotions may have run wild. You certainly felt betrayed and angry, but you may also have felt as if it was somehow your fault. You may even have given substantial thought as to whether you and your spouse could overcome this affair and continue the marriage.

In the end, you decided that divorce best suited the situation. Maybe your spouse wants to move forward in life with his or her new romantic interest, or perhaps you simply could not overcome the emotional turmoil and breaking of trust the affair caused. Still, you could potentially use the affair as leverage during your divorce proceedings.

Divorce changes things, including summer time with the kids

On behalf of Akiona Law, PLLC on Friday, June 1, 2018.

When you decided to file for divorce in a Washington court, you likely had a million thoughts swirling in your mind regarding how your children might take the news and what you'd be able to do to help them come to terms with the situation. Divorce often creates many parenting challenges, such as basic logistics of going to school or sports practices and social gatherings (i.e., which of you is picking them up or attending a special event?) as well as emotional issues that may arise.

A time when changes in family dynamics are felt the most is during summer. The kids are out of school and your usual customs or traditions as a family may change because one parent is no longer there. The good news is that your divorce doesn't necessarily have to mean the end to your summer time fun. If you know where to seek support if a co-parenting problem arises and have ideas on hand to help your kids move on in life, you may wind up having your best summer yet.

Don't let the end of marriage be the end of financial stability

On behalf of Akiona Law, PLLC posted in blog on Tuesday, February 27, 2018.

If you were to survey residents in Washington who are divorced regarding causal factors that led to their marital splits, it is likely that no two responses would be exactly the same. That's because no two marriages are the same. Some people may have shared common experiences leading up to divorce, but the overall unfolding of each situation is typically unique. Divorce can be quite challenging, and you may worry about various future issues, such as financial stability, as you navigate the process.

You can be proactive toward the outcome of your financial situation in divorce. In fact, there are several things you can keep in mind that can help steer your divorce proceedings in a positive direction. It's also good to remember that you have rights, and there are support networks available to help you protect them.

Divorcing? Know the ins and outs of child custody in Washington

On behalf of Akiona Law, PLLC posted in blog on Saturday, February 10, 2018.

You did your best for more than two decades to build a successful lifestyle with your family in Washington. As it grew more evident that your marriage was heading for divorce, however, your focus immediately shifted to protecting the best interests of your children. You've read recent news stories that have highlighted what can happen when parents disagree on child custody issues. Celebrity fans have been following various ongoing court battles regarding custody fights that have been raging for more than a year now.

The last thing you want is to be entangled in a long, drawn out courtroom battle over your children. Your greatest hope is to negotiate a fair and agreeable plan that provides for your children's needs and helps them move toward a new, happy future. By the tone your spouse takes when you try to discuss custody issues, you aren't so sure an amicable settlement will be possible without the court's intervention.

Weinstein divorce shows how prenups can affect settlements

On behalf of Akiona Law, PLLC posted in blog on Wednesday, January 17, 2018.

You might be one of many Washington residents following news headlines and updates regarding former Hollywood studio executive Harvey Weinstein's divorce. If you also happen to be considering or preparing for divorce proceedings, there are several factors in the Weinstein/Chapman situation that may be relevant to your particular circumstances. In Weinstein's case, extenuating circumstances and criminal allegations, as well as prenuptial agreements, are significantly influencing his divorce settlement.

Your marriage was unique; therefore, so will your divorce be as no two relationships or divorces are exactly the same. However, you can often look at other people's experiences and learn from them, especially when it comes to trying to gauge how things might play out in court in your own divorce. Beyond that, your chances of obtaining a fair and agreeable outcome may hinge on how familiar you are with your own rights, state laws, and whether you retain experienced legal representation before heading to court.

Sometimes an old flame can't accept that it's over

On behalf of Akiona Law, PLLC posted in blog on Monday, December 11, 2017.

It was fun while it lasted, and perhaps the breakup wasn't mutual, but for you, the relationship had run its course. For whatever reason, you were ready to move on. Maybe your partner's intensity was one of the driving factors behind your decision to end it. While you probably wanted to be as kind as possible, you are beginning to think you did not make your message clear.

Does your ex-partner keep texting or calling you? Is he or she waiting for you when you get home from work? Are there other times when your ex shows up uninvited that create an awkward or embarrassing situation for you? If you are still receiving communication from your ex and you want it to stop, you may be experiencing unlawful harassment.

Are you divorcing a narcissist?

On behalf of Akiona Law, PLLC posted in blog on Wednesday, December 6, 2017.

No two marriages in Washington end for the very same reasons. True, if some couples were to share their experiences with others who divorce, they'd likely come across one or more sets of spouses who have gone through or can relate to similar circumstances. However, the exact events that led to the breakdown of your marriage are not going to be carbon copies of another couple's situation. Every relationship is unique and, therefore, so is every divorce.

If you happen to be one of many people who were married to a narcissist, you may really have your work cut out for you in trying to achieve an amicable settlement in divorce. For one thing, a typical narcissist is most concerned with self. For another, beyond being self-centered much of the time, the next highest priority in the average narcissist's life is to control others. This combination may make divorcing a narcissist quite challenging.

You can fight for the financial support you need after divorce

On behalf of Akiona Law, PLLC posted in blog on Wednesday, November 15, 2017.

If you are facing a divorce, you likely have many concerns about your future, but one of the main ones likely pertains to your financial stability after the process is complete. Money is often one of the most contentious issues in a divorce, and it is normal to have fears over what the end of your marriage will do to your ability to support yourself.

In some Washington divorces, one spouse may be eligible for alimony, or spousal support. It is not a guarantee, but if you believe that you could have a rightful claim to this type of support, you would be wise to work purposefully toward a settlement that includes it.

Is your former spouse trying to make you out to be the bad guy?

On behalf of Akiona Law, PLLC posted in blog on Monday, October 16, 2017.

When you told your children that you and their other parent were planning to divorce, you may have been met with any number of emotional responses, ranging from complete non-surprise and resignation to shock, fear or anger. In fact, it's not at all uncommon for Washington children whose parents are divorcing to experience any or all of these emotions throughout the process. Hopefully, you were able to alleviate most of your children's worries and took steps to start planning a new, successful future together.

Since then, you may have noticed your children suddenly growing distant from you or resisting your authority. How do you know if they're merely going through a phase as they learn to adapt to their new lifestyle or whether another party (perhaps their other parent) is plotting to pit them against you?