WA recognizes Committed Intimate Relationships & Not Common-Law Marriage It is a common assumption that after living with an intimate partner for a long-time, you automatically end up in “common-law marriage”. You get all the economic and legal benefits of a marriage without the formal certificate and expensive party. Sounds great, right? Wrong. It’s not …
With wedding season in full swing, partners are looking toward their forever futures together. This Seattle Times article reminds us that prior to saying “I do” it may be wise for partners to have honest discussions around financial infidelity. The article makes important points about financial deception its role in breaking up a rising number of relationships and marriages. …
Your relationship is progressing nicely, you can see your future as a couple, and you are ready to move to the next stage. Time to move in together, right? Maybe. Before taking this step, however, we urge you to fully understand the potential implications of living with an intimate partner in Washington State. In Washington …
The beginning of a new year brings all different flavors of change, in relationships and otherwise. Nicknamed ”, January sees an outpouring of couples looking to end their relationships. At the same time, there is a surge of couples beginning the year hopeful and ready to move to the next stage with their partner. Couples got …
Defined: Annulment is a commonly used term for a court procedure that dissolves a marriage, treating it as though it never happened. In Washington State, a marriage annulment is called a “Declaration of Invalidity”. Such declarations are granted by the court under specific, special circumstances only. The ruling legally declares the marriage invalid from the …
There is a fair amount of social stigma attached to prenuptial agreements: Aren’t you expecting your marriage to last forever? Why are you preparing for your divorce? Does a prenup doom your marriage from the start? When saying “I do”, most all couples hope for a “happily ever after”. The truth is, more than half …
In Washington State, “common law marriage” does not exist. However, Washington courts do recognize “committed intimate relationships.” These relationships were formerly known as “meretricious relationships” and exist when an unmarried couple lives together for a significant period of time. In Washington State, these relationships have property rights similar to those had by married couples. It …
