Let's Talk About Common Law Marriage
The state of California can recognize you and your partner as a couple without marriage. Through a registered domestic partnership, couples can receive state recognition of their relationship, while avoiding the formalities,...more
There have always been those couples who decide, for whatever reason, not to get married. They continue to live together and build a life together without the formality of marriage. So, what happens when a relationship like...more
Typically in the United States, a couple gets married by obtaining a marriage license and having a marriage ceremony. In some states, however, a couple can be deemed married by cohabiting and presenting themselves to the...more
As a divorce attorney, I’ve noticed that there are a few widely held false beliefs regarding divorce laws in Washington state. Here are the most common and potentially the most dangerous for those headed for a divorce:...more
In a divorce, the judge will have to divide your marital property and debts between the spouses. The division must be “just and equitable” under the circumstances of the relationship. But can an unmarried couples receive a...more
Supreme Court Advance Release Opinions: SC19494 - State v. Berrios - Appellate Court Advance Release Opinions: AC37045 - Hickey v. Commissioner of Correction - AC33954 - Burr Road Operating Co. II, LLC v....more
On June 26, 2013, the Supreme Court issued its long-awaited decision in Windsor v. United States, No. 12-307. The Court ruled (in a 5-4 decision) that the section of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that required federal...more
On June 26, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court in United States v. Windsor1 overturned Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act ("DOMA"), which had defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman.2 As a result, married...more