Divorce and Separation

I’m Getting a Divorce. What If My Ex Won’t Move Out of the Marital Home?

December 8, 2020

It's the question Phil Collins posed in court last month after his ex-wife, Orianne Cevey, and her new husband, Thomas Bates, refused to vacate the singer's Miami Beach Mansion, estimated at 40 million dollars. Vanity Fair reported that although Collins holds the property in a company owned by him, Cevey claims she has an ownership interest. Taking legal matters into her hands, Cevey and her new hubby have denied her ex-husband access by changing the locks and alarm codes and otherwise blocking Collins and his representatives from entering.

It’s Your First ‘Single’ Thanksgiving. Here’s How To Make It a Happy One for the Entire Family

November 24, 2020

When you're married, orchestrating and celebrating a major holiday like Thanksgiving can be challenging, and when you're first divorced, even more so. However, there's no reason why Thanksgiving needs to be sad following a divorce — for you or those around you. If you're up for it, you can take steps to make the experience more comfortable, perhaps even better than it was before. I know because I, too, was divorced and once in your shoes. Here are a few ideas.

Should You Keep the Marital Home in Your Divorce?

November 17, 2020

When it comes to the family home, you have numerous choices to weigh before deciding, each of which could affect you and your family for years to come. It will behoove you to remember the difference between a house and a home during this emotional transition. Your house is a place where you live. A home is any place with you living in it.

Protecting Your Family Home

July 26, 2020

For most families, a home is among their most valuable assets, both financially and emotionally. It is important to be thoughtful about how you are going to leave a home and to whom. If there are issues between siblings, tax considerations, or other family needs to consider, the parent should make an informed decision about what to do with the house and ensure that their estate plan reflects these wishes. It is particularly important to come up with a specific plan for your home.

Divorce Pathways

May 29, 2020

Divorce Pathways Posted by Elise Buie | May 29, 2020 | 0 Comments Divorce Pathways

Take Responsibility for Your Divorce

April 15, 2020

After many years of practicing Family Law and helping clients navigate divorce, I wrote about the defining principles that make or break my clients' success. Over the next few weeks, we'll be diving into each of the five “Success Principles of Divorce” on our blog. Check out this week's breakdown...

How To Protect Yourself During Divorce

March 3, 2020

If you're going through a divorce in Washington State, there are five important estate planning questions you should consider. They are: What happens if I die during my divorce? What happens if I become incapacitated during my divorce? How can I protect myself during divorce? How can I protect my children during divorce? How can I make sure my share of community property goes to the people I want it to go to rather than my future ex-spouse if I become incapacitated or die during my divorce?

Recently Divorced? What You Need To Do

March 3, 2020

As an Estate Planning Attorney, I hear this question a lot, "I am recently divorced, do I need to update my Estate Plan?" The simple answer is “Yes.” Updating your estate plan is especially critical if you have children together and you and your former spouse do not agree on how they should be cared for.

Separate and Community Property in Divorce

June 24, 2019

Washington State is one of the nine community property states in the country. This means that, as a general rule, spouses will own an equal interest in any property acquired  during the marriage, even where only one spouse's name is on the bank account, paycheck, or title. This distinction has a ...

Affording a Divorce

May 30, 2019

A lack of money is commonly one of the biggest stressors that a married couple has to deal with. This doesn't become any less of an issue when it comes to a divorce. If you are struggling to stay afloat in your current arrangement, the thought of paying for a divorce can be a daunting one; two ho...