Decoupling Seattle Family Law and Divorce Blog

With Glass Ceiling “Pierced”, More Women Pay Spousal Support

liz — Thu, 10 May 2012 17:59:48 +0000

Although “alimony” is still commonly perceived to be a man’s burden, more and more women are providing financial support to their exes during or after a divorce. A recent survey of the members of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers indicates that 47% of American divorce lawyers have seen an increase in the number of women ordered to pay…

Do I Need a Prenuptial Agreement?

liz — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:33:42 +0000

Question

My fiance and I are getting married this summer. A couple of nights ago, he mentioned that one of his buddies said we should look into getting a prenup before the wedding. Neither of us have much property to speak of, and my fiance’s small business is still getting off the ground. Is this really something we need?

…

Painful Memories Transformed Into “Representations of the Unconscious Self.”

liz — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:32:58 +0000

For the last ten years, artist Mercedes Gertz has been turning painful artifacts – wedding photos from doomed marriages – into stunning works of art. Using a scanner, Gertz and her collaborator, Nancy Louise Jones, transform unwanted bridal portraits into mandalas – circular diagrams that originated in Hindu and Buddhist spiritual artworks. Karl Jung once deemed mandalas “a representation…

Can I Get Custody of My Niece?

liz — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:05:39 +0000

Question

My younger sister has a seven year old daughter. The dad’s been out of the picture for years, and lately my sister has too. While I don’t know for sure, I suspect that my sister is abusing drugs. She lost her job about a year ago, and since then she’s been relying on me for “baby-sitting” more and more…

Finding “Fault” in the (Silly) Little Annoyances.

liz — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 17:33:09 +0000

Unlike in the U.S., where “no fault” divorces are now standard in every state, family courts in England still require a finding of spousal misconduct before a divorce will be granted. Along with adultery or abandonment, an aggrieved spouse may cite “unreasonable behavior” as the grounds for divorce. According to some lawyers there, this often means that divorcing parties have…

How Do I Change My Legal Separation to a Divorce?

liz — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 17:21:51 +0000

Question

A few years ago, my husband and I agreed to legally separate, and we submitted agreed orders to the court. I’ve since met someone new. While I am not ready to get re-married yet, I’d like to have the option and I understand that a legal separation means I’m still technically “married” to my ex. Is there a way…

People You May Know: Your Husband’s Other Wife.

liz — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:02:59 +0000

Ellanora Fulk of Tacoma, Washington was browsing her ‘suggested friends’ on Facebook when she came across one suggestion that struck her as odd. She clicked on Terri Wyatt O’Neill’s page, and began perusing her photos – only to discover a photo of Ms. O’Neill and someone Ms. Fulk knew very well indeed: her estranged husband, Alan Fulk.

And this was…

In the News: Divorces of Spies, Presidential Candidates.

liz — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 17:00:36 +0000

Last week the Washington Post published an interesting peek into the uniquely complicated marriages and divorces of CIA agents. Unsurprisingly, the secrecy required of CIA agents can take a tremendous toll on the civilian spouse, leading to an “astonishingly high” rate of divorce in the agency.

Sure, he's dapper and suave, but his secret life might start to…

March is the Most Popular Month for Divorce

liz — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 17:00:28 +0000

At least according to Findlaw.com, the popular online legal information site, which reports that searches for terms like “divorce” and “child custody,” are at their highest in the third month of the year. Researchers for Findlaw also analyzed divorce cases commenced between 2008 and 2011 in courts across the nation. They discovered that new divorce filings begin to increase…

Can My Fiancé Adopt My Child?

liz — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 18:59:59 +0000

Question

I have a ten year old son from a relationship that ended shortly after he was born. We moved to Washington about six years ago, and my son has had almost no contact with his father since then. Occasionally, his father sends a check for child support, but otherwise his role in our child’s life is minimal to non-existent.…