I’ve done a lot of divorces from short term marriages lately; and by short term I mean between 1 year and 6 weeks. When I get that first call from the divorce seeker they typically start by saying “I need a divorce. I’ve been married for __________ years/months/weeks. Wait! Is that an annulment because it’s
Pro Se Mediation and The DIY Culture
I talk a lot about mediation and as a mediator I should. I think mediation is great. I wish more people would jump into mediation first instead of litigation. One of the great things about mediation in this DIY culture we have now is that it can be done without attorneys, you just need a
What If Bella and Edward Got Divorced (Updated)
I recently got the chance to finally go to Forks. I’ve been wanting to go ever since I moved to Washington some 8 years ago. I’m not sure if it was ever thing my younger self dreamed of but it was fun none the less. My little getaway to the land of Twilight made me
Why The “D” Word is so Dangerous
Recently I was sitting in a courtroom on recess waiting for the Judge to return. A woman began to talk to me. She was just finishing up her divorce and she was understandably upset. She began to explain that she never really wanted the divorce. As a divorce attorney that is usually the case. One
Mediate Sooner and Save Your Mental and Financial Health
Most divorce cases eventually settle. Most people probably don’t realize that but it is true. Divorce trials are not the norm. Because of this fun fact I believe that mediation in divorce or family law cases in general should happen sooner in the process instead of towards the end of the process. As it is
Divorce Attorney Doesn’t Mean Anti-Marriage
I’ve never been married, therefore I have never been divorced. So I cannot say I completely understand what my clients go through when they are divorcing. I can image. I can empathize. I can listen. But I cannot say I know what it feels like. I recently purchased the Humans of New York book. Now,
Why Divorce Selfies Are A Good Thing
A few years ago after finishing a divorce trial my client wanted a selfie. At first I was taken aback but then I realized that was a really good thing. A divorce is a very painful, trying, exhausting process; and if you are lucky enough to make it out still wanting a picture with your
Think You’re Getting Half of Everything? Think Again.
Whenever I have a divorce client one of the first questions I get is: “I get half of everything right?” Washington is a community property state but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a 50/50 state, surprise! There are only 9 community property states: Louisiana, Arizona, California, Texas, Washington, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and Wisconsin. That’s
Was 50 Cent right? “Have a baby by me baby and be a millionaire.”
50 Cent has a song called Baby By Me Baby where the chorus goes: “Have a baby by me baby and be a millionaire.” Basically meaning that because 50 Cent is so rich having a baby by him makes the mom an instant millionaire because of the child support. Now 50 is not the only
You Shouldn’t Fear Mediation You Should Fear Litigation
In the 4th grade I got appointed to the Conflict Resolution Team. We wore blue shirts and wandered the playground with clipboards looking for conflict to resolve. I don’t remember if we solved a lot of conflict but I did enjoy the idea of solving conflict. I became a certified mediator before I was lawyer.
