Goldberg Jones
Welcome to the Goldberg Jones family law blog
Divorce, custody, and related cases are some of the most personal and pivotal moments in life. Whether navigating the end of a marriage, planning for the future of your family, or just looking for answers, having clear, reliable information is vital.
Here we address common questions and topics, offering insight based on our three decades' worth of practical, hands-on family law experience.
August 26, 2026
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When To Hire A Divorce Lawyer
With the proliferation of do-it-yourself divorce websites, online tools, and similar resources, you don’t necessarily need an attorney to end your marriage. But there are ...
August 17, 2026
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Divorce Strategies To Know Before Filing
The divorce process is complicated and it’s important to have strategies in place. It has a massive impact on your future, influencing everything from finances ...
July 28, 2026
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Can A Non-Biological Parent Get Custody?
There are situations where the court has awarded a non-biological parent, like a stepparent, custody over a biological mother or father. These situations are few ...
July 20, 2026
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When Your Ex Violates Court Orders: Motion For Contempt
What can you do if someone violates their divorce agreement? File a show-cause order, file a motion for contempt, or modify the divorce agreement. ...
July 13, 2026
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Pro Se: Can You Represent Yourself In Divorce?
You can choose to represent yourself in divorce proceedings, but is that the smart choice? Here are some benefits and drawbacks of pro se divorce. ...
July 2, 2026
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What To Expect At A Child Custody Hearing
The judge generally considers parental ability, the child’s needs, age, and environmental stability. To determine this, expect every area of your life and relationships to ...
June 23, 2026
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International Parental Relocation, Passports, and Travel
To relocate a child, the law requires the residential parent to file a Notice of Intended Relocation, and the other parent has 30 days to ...
June 10, 2026
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What’s In A Washington State Parenting Plan?
A parenting plan lays out everything related to your child’s life moving forward. This includes custody arrangements, residential schedules, and who has decision making authority ...
June 2, 2026
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A Business Is a Divisible Asset, Can You Protect It?
Ending a marriage is delicate and complex, and a business only complicates matters. Here’s how to protect your business in divorce. ...
May 20, 2026
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Community Property In Washington State
There are 2 types of property division. There is community property, which means the state views all property and debts acquired during a marriage as ...
May 14, 2026
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When Do Child Support Payments Continue Past 18?
In most cases in Washington, child support comes to an end when the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever comes later. A ...
May 11, 2026
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How Do You Ensure Child Support Spending Accountability?
Can you get an itemized breakdown of what your child support payments actually cover every month? How do you go about ensuring child support accountability? ...
April 27, 2026
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What Is A Joint Residential Schedule?
Having a Joint Residential Schedule, or joint custody, is when the court awards both parents parental rights and responsibilities. They may not live together, but ...
April 21, 2026
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How To File For Divorce in Washington State
The process of divorce sounds complex and scary, but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s how to file for divorce in Washington state. ...
April 13, 2026
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Does Washington State Have Common-Law Marriage?
The short answer is no, Washington doesn’t allow common-law marriage. As usual, however, the real answer is more complicated. ...
April 8, 2026
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Is Inheritance Considered Separate Property in Divorce?
If you don’t shield your inheritance properly, you stand to lose a substantial amount when it comes to divorce and the division of property. ...
April 2, 2026
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Divorce Decrees: What You Need To Know
On a practical level, a divorce decree grants the dissolution of marriage and lays out the basic information regarding the separation. ...
March 26, 2026
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Divorce Mediation, How Does It Work?
Ending a marriage usually evokes images of court, but there are other options. Divorce mediation is a common, effective option. ...
March 23, 2026
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Prepare for an In-Person Divorce And Child Custody Consultation
The initial consultation is an opportunity to get your questions answered and help you better understand how your circumstances affect the divorce process. ...
March 12, 2026
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How Does Moving Out Affect Divorce?
Moving out of a shared home can have a negative impact on your divorce in a number of ways. It’s important to know the impact ...
March 4, 2026
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Guardian Ad Litem: What You Need To Know
In divorce and custody suits, a guardian ad litem may come in to look after the best interest of any children involved. Here’s what you ...
February 24, 2026
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Divorce Or Bankruptcy: What To File First
Divorce or bankruptcy, which should you file first? Every situation is different, and there are many variables, but here’s what to consider. ...
February 23, 2026
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How Is Debt Divided In Divorce?
The division of property plays a big role when it comes to ending a marriage, but it’s also important to know how courts treat shared ...
February 19, 2026
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Will Washington Courts Split Custody and Separate Siblings?
Divorce throws a child’s world into upheaval, but what about cases of split custody? Will the court really separate siblings? ...
January 23, 2026
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What is a Right Of First Refusal In Divorce And Custody?
In child custody cases, the right of first refusal is a provision in a parenting plan that affects the time noncustodial parents spend with their ...
January 12, 2026
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What is the Cost of Divorce In Washington State?
While no single number encompasses everything, the average cost of divorce in Washington is between $10,500 and $12,000. With children, the average cost of divorce is ...
October 13, 2025
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Scary Divorce Fact Or Urban Legend?
There’s a lot of information floating around, but how can you differentiate between an urban legend and a scary divorce fact? ...
September 17, 2025
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Is There A Benefit To Filing for Divorce First?
People are quick to offer advice about divorce, and one frequently shared tidbit is that you need to file for divorce first. But do you ...
September 8, 2025
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Can Your Ex Keep Your Child From Playing Sports?
Sports are important to a lot of kids, but can your ex step in and stop your child from playing sports or participating in other ...
How Do Personal Injury Settlements Impact Divorce?
Where money comes from in a marriage has a lot to do with who gets it in a divorce. How does this impact a personal ...
August 21, 2025
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How Can Fantasy Sports Help Dads?
From football, basketball, and baseball, to rugby, cricket, and NASCAR, fantasy sports are everywhere. But how can they be useful to divorced dads? ...
July 17, 2025
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Contested Vs. Uncontested Divorce
What are the primary differences between a contested and an uncontested divorce and which category does your case fit into? ...
June 19, 2025
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How Discovery Works In Divorce Cases
A great deal of information changes hands during the divorce process. Discovery is the tool through which this happens. Here’s how it works. ...
June 11, 2025
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Awesome Dad Movies For Any Occasion
We like watching movies with dad, and we’ve compiled a list of great films to watch on Father’s Day, Halloween, Christmas, or just because. ...
June 4, 2025
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You’ve Been Served Divorce Papers, Now What?
What happens when your spouse serves you with divorce papers? It comes with a lot of questions. How do you respond? What do you do ...
May 28, 2025
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How Should You Dress For Court?
Right or wrong, many people look at you and immediately judge your appearance, which is why how you dress for court is so important to ...
May 22, 2025
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How Education Affects Divorce Rates
Education is a big part of most people’s lives. And at least one person believes education impacts divorce and divorce rates. ...
May 19, 2025
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How Legal Separation Differs From Divorce
Divorce isn’t the only way to end a marriage. In certain cases, legal separation is an option. Here’s what to know about the differences and ...
May 13, 2025
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My Ex Works At A Strip Club—Can I Get Custody Of The Kids?
Here’s a question we don’t hear often: Can you challenge your custody order if your ex gets a job at a strip club? One of ...
Sweat Equity In Divorce Settlements
Sweat equity can increase the value of shared assets, which often impacts divorce settlements. ...
March 13, 2025
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Child Support Modification: How To Change A Support Order
Like trying to alter most court-issued decrees, child support modification in Washington isn’t particularly easy, but it is possible. ...
February 24, 2025
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Ways People Damage Their Own Divorce Cases
People often do things that damage their own divorce cases. Common issues include: Filing before they’re ready. Agreeing to unfavorable terms. Taking bad advice. Moving ...
Life Insurance And Divorce: What To Know
Life insurance policies can be one of the more delicate knots to untie in divorce and oftentimes get overlooked when ending a marriage. ...
January 22, 2025
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What if My Ex Refuses to Cooperate in Divorce?
“My ex filed for divorce in January. I have requested mediation I don’t know how many times, and she won’t answer, won’t step up to ...
January 14, 2025
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Is Washington A No-Fault Divorce State?
It’s the stuff movie melodrama: trapped in a loveless marriage, your spouse doesn’t want to divorce. But don’t worry Washington is a no-fault divorce state. ...
January 8, 2025
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When Is The Best Time To Divorce?
When it comes to ending a marriage, timing is everything. Here’s what to consider when determining the best time to divorce. ...
December 4, 2024
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Managing Your Holiday Custody Schedule
There are many things divorced parents can do to successfully navigate their holiday custody schedule—and not so successfully. ...
October 22, 2024
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How To Ask For Divorce
You’ve tried everything you can to fix your broken marriage, but nothing works. It’s time. But there’s one looming question: how do I ask for ...
September 11, 2024
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Can You Get An Annulment In Washington?
So you got drunk in Vegas and woke up married, what do you do? Is annulment an option? If so, how do you proceed with ...
August 27, 2024
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Breaking Down Divorce Rates By Generation
Different generations have different traits. Obviously. But how each age group views marriage and divorce tells us a lot about them. ...
August 21, 2024
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False Abuse Allegations And Divorce
Mudslinging and conflict are common occurrences in divorce, but when abuse allegations come into play, that changes things dramatically. ...
July 17, 2024
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How Are Protection Orders Used in Divorce?
In Washington, protection orders serve to guard against abuse, stalking, and harassment. Here’s what you need to know about them. ...
July 8, 2024
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The Best Ways To Celebrate Divorce
Most of us think ending a marriage is a sad, somber event. It often is, but not always. Here are some fun, festive ways people ...
June 19, 2024
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What Is The Washington Division Of Child Support?
The Washington Division of Child Support is key to enforcing support orders. Here’s how it works. ...
May 28, 2024
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Divorce in Washington: How Long Does It Take?
The minimum amount of time a divorce takes is 90 days, but many factors can make it take much longer. ...
Signs They May Be Hiding Assets During Divorce
Your ex may be tempted to hide assets during the divorce. Here are some signs this may be going on. These don’t automatically mean that’s ...
April 9, 2024
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Divorce After A Brief Marriage
As a rule, the longer the marriage, the more complex the divorce. The other side of that coin is in shorter marriages, divorce can be ...
April 2, 2024
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The Most Common Reasons for Divorce
While every couple has their own unique reasons to break up, themes do emerge and there are many common reasons for divorce. ...
March 25, 2024
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How Is Child Support Calculated in Washington?
The Washington State Support Schedule provides the standard basis for child support calculation. The court uses this formula to define its terms, lay out the ...
March 4, 2024
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How Major Purchases Can Hurt Your Divorce
If you’re going through a divorce, you may want to hold off making major purchases until the process is over. Here’s why. ...
February 19, 2024
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Keeping Custody Exchanges Civil
If you have kids, custody exchanges after divorce are going to be a fact of life. They’re not always easy, but here are some ways ...
February 13, 2024
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How Do You Get Divorced If You Can’t Find Your Spouse?
What options do you have if you want to divorce but you can’t find your spouse and don’t know where they live? ...
January 22, 2024
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Ways To Protect Custody and Visitation
The most harrowing part of many divorces is the fight for child custody and visitation. Here are some dos and don’ts to strengthen your case. ...
January 15, 2024
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What makes a good divorce lawyer?
What makes a good lawyer? What personality traits make up a good divorce attorney? We take a look at the good and the bad. ...
January 9, 2024
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Does Divorce Hurt Your Credit? Rebuilding Finances After Divorce
Keeping track of your money is important all the time, but taking steps to rebuild finances after divorce is especially vital moving forward. ...
November 14, 2023
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Surviving Thanksgiving for Divorced Dads
Thanksgiving and other holidays can be tough times for newly divorced dads. Here are some tips and strategies to get through a difficult stretch. ...
November 9, 2023
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What Is Divorce Arbitration? Is it The Right Choice?
In divorce, arbitration offers an alternative to going to court, presenting arguments, and having a judge rule. But is it the right choice? ...
October 9, 2023
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Do Grandparents Have Custody or Visitation Rights in Washington?
Many states have provisions to secure visitation rights for grandparents, Washington, however, does not. ...
Dividing Retirement Benefits in Divorce: Common Financial Mistakes
Divorce has drastic financial implications no matter your age, but couples approaching retirement face a number of unique potential pitfalls. ...
September 18, 2023
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Parental Relocation: Can Your Ex Move With Your Child?
Ultimately, your parenting plan has a significant impact on whether you or your ex can relocate with your children. If there isn’t a parenting plan ...
August 29, 2023
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Co-Parenting Strategies
You may never want to see your ex again after the divorce, but when there are kids, co-parenting is a way of life. Here’s how ...
August 7, 2023
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Verifying Post-Secondary Support Payments
It’s important to make sure post-secondary payments are going to the right place. Here’s how. ...
August 1, 2023
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How Spousal Support Works In Washington
Spousal support is often one of the biggest expenses encountered after divorce, and it’s important to understand how it works. ...
July 24, 2023
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Divorce Jurisdiction: Where You File Matters
Divorce is one of the biggest decisions you’ll ever make. And as you’ll learn, jurisdiction has a major impact on your case. ...
July 11, 2023
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How Divorce Affects Health Insurance
Divorce requires the separation of more than just assets and debts. It also requires dealing with often overlooked items, like health insurance. ...
March 27, 2023
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How Does Legal Marijuana Affect Child Custody?
Though marijuana use in Washington State is now legal, it carries a stigma, and, like it or not, can still impact child custody cases. Here’s ...
February 27, 2023
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Should You Sign A Joinder In Divorce?
In a divorce, the two parties are the petitioner and the respondent. If the two sides agree to the terms, the respondent can sign a ...
February 6, 2023
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Dividing A House In Divorce
How do you divvy up the house during a divorce? We look at the steps for valuing your home and how courts may split the ...
January 23, 2023
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Are Divorce Records Public In Washington State?
Are divorce records public? How do you acquire them? And how easy is the process? We answer these questions and others below. ...
August 18, 2022
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How Social Media Impacts Marriage And Divorce
Because social media has such an impact, it makes sense that it plays a role in our marriages. And often times that also means it ...
June 29, 2022
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Does Washington State Have Pet Custody Laws?
Many of us consider pets part of the family, but how does the law view them in divorce? ...
May 18, 2020
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Pending Criminal Charges And Child Custody
Criminal charges often have a major impact on custody cases. The legal mire of new Seattle Seahawk Quinton Dunbar may show us how. ...