January is a great time to change habits and make a new beginning. It’s also a time when people take a hard look at their lives and make decisions about what they want their future to look like. If you have taken a hard look at your marriage and determined that a future together is […]
After divorce, who pays for college?
Most parents worry about their ability to cover higher education costs for their children. That issue becomes more complex when parents get divorced. For them, the question is not just how, but who. In Washington, child support is usually only paid until a child turns 18 or graduates from high school (whichever occurs later). The […]
Top 10 Questions Asked at a First Consult for Divorce
One of the heaviest doors to open is the one that leads to your first meeting with a divorce lawyer. In addition to all the emotional stress of separating from your life partner, there are usually an endless number of questions about the path you are about to travel. Having met with countless clients who […]
US Supreme Court Unanimously Rules for Veteran in Family Law Case
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously handed a victory to veterans when it decided Howell v. Howell, No. 15-1031. The case involved an Air Force veteran, who was divorced from his former wife more than 25 years ago. Anticipating the husband’s future retirement, the divorce decree awarded 50% of his retirement benefits to the […]
Trade Secrets – A Primer
The protection of trade secrets is a growing topic of concern for our clients. These situations don’t usually involve elaborate thefts but rather concerns of misuse by former employees. This primer is designed to help both employers and departing employees better understand trade secret concerns. This is not legal advice, but a guide to prompt […]
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Recognizes Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation as Prohibited by Title VII
The federal appellate courts across the United States have nearly unanimously held that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation was not prohibited under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Of the 13 appellate courts in the United States, the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, Tenth, and Eleventh Circuit Courts of […]
Real Estate Syndication Explained
In its most basic form, the real estate syndication is the solicitation and pooling of multiple investor’s money to acquire an existing asset or develop a new project and distribute the profits (or losses) to the investors and the syndicators. The person organizing and syndicating the Project is commonly referred to as the sponsor. The […]
What to Know When Hiring a Nanny
As childcare for newborns and young children becomes more expensive families may find they can hire a nanny (or nanny share) for a comparable cost as daycare. Parts of a nanny or nanny share are very convenient – location, child to caretaker ratio, no stressful waiting list etc. However, the paperwork involved in hiring a […]
Buyer Beware: Seller Misrepresentation Claims in Washington State
Buying a home is one of the largest financial transactions most people engage in during their lifetime. Despite its significance, many people make the decision to purchase prior to hiring a professional home inspector to examine the current condition of the structure and property. This has been particularly true in the Puget Sound Region’s hot […]