Mark A. Brown, P.S. Attorney at Law Mark A. Brown, P.S. Attorney at Law
Seattle, Washington
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Seattle Family Law Law Blog

Why you should avoid divorce advice from your friends

On behalf of Mark A. Brown, P.S., Attorney at Law on Monday, July 15, 2019.

Once you realize you cannot move forward in the marriage any longer with your spouse, it is time to proceed with a divorce. As you acquire the necessary paperwork, you will gradually inform your loved ones of what will happen. Chances are good you know plenty of people who have divorced, and they will likely give you advice during this time. 

You need to take any advice given to you by friends with a huge grain of salt. Divorce is different for everyone. They may be familiar with the process, but they do not know you and your spouse. You should only take advice from a legal authority and only rely on your friends for emotional support. 

How trusts offer you more control over your assets

On behalf of Mark A. Brown, P.S., Attorney at Law on Thursday, June 20, 2019.

The most familiar estate planning document is the will. It is a necessary component, and it may be sufficient for people who have limited assets. However, for those who have more valuable or complex estates, or who simply want to maintain more control over them, trusts may be more beneficial.

A trust is the transfer of your property or money to a third party (trustee), who manages the asset for the beneficiary until an appointed time. This arrangement comes in many forms, each offering its own advantages.

When should you create an estate plan?

On behalf of Mark A. Brown, P.S., Attorney at Law on Friday, June 14, 2019.

Estate planning can be a confusing and intimidating subject. While you may be aware that you should have an estate plan in place at some point, you may not exactly know when to draft such a plan. The truth is that every adult should have an estate plan.

It is helpful to have certain documents whether you are 18 or 80. Here are some documents you should consider creating right away, no matter your age or stage in life.

Child custody and the impact of divorce

On behalf of Mark A. Brown, P.S., Attorney at Law on Thursday, May 23, 2019.

Couples considering marital dissolution are generally concerned about two areas. Asset division is as much a concern for marital partners with modest resources as for wealthy couples with complicated property-division issues. 

The other area significant to parents is the emotional well-being of their children. Few other concerns in a divorce match child custody for generating parental feelings of doubt, concern, guilt or possessiveness. Most parents want to spare their children from trauma associated with divorce.

How to talk to your adult children about your estate plan

On behalf of Mark A. Brown, P.S., Attorney at Law on Wednesday, April 17, 2019.

Estate planning is important for everyone, but it is even more crucial if you have grown children. Your estate plan lays out what you want to leave for your children. The next step you should take is having a discussion about these plans. Having a conversation about money, retirement and end-of-life care is not easy, but it is beneficial. 

Being open and honest about your estate plan will reduce confusion and help your entire family have more peace of mind. Here are some tips for approaching this topic with your children.

Important estate planning considerations amid divorce

On behalf of Mark A. Brown, P.S., Attorney at Law on Friday, March 22, 2019.

Divorcing your one-time partner will undoubtedly have a dramatic effect on many areas of your life, and you may find yourself making some major changes with regard to your living situation, custody arrangements and so on. With everything you have going on, it can prove difficult to devote enough attention to other important matters, such as estate planning, but failing to amend or update your estate plan after a divorce can lead to considerable hardship down the line.

Chances are, your soon-to-be-former spouse has an important role when it comes to your estate plan, and you may no longer want this person having so much power over your affairs once you are no longer romantically involved. Thus, when navigating your way through a divorce, you may want to consider taking the following steps when it comes to updating your estate plan.

3 types of people who can help you through your divorce

On behalf of Mark A. Brown, P.S., Attorney at Law on Monday, March 18, 2019.

Deciding you want to end your marriage is life-changing. Making such a monumental decision that drastically changes your life is inevitably going to lead to some emotional difficulties. While divorcing your spouse may be the best choice overall, it can be a bumpy road at first. 

Creating a supportive group of people to help you and give advice is crucial to having the healthiest mindset possible. Aside from your closest loved ones and financial and legal professionals, it is wise to reach out to a few other individuals and experts to aid you through the process. 

4 tips for dealing with a narcissist during divorce

On behalf of Mark A. Brown, P.S., Attorney at Law on Monday, February 18, 2019.

Divorce is a process that drains even the most upbeat person. The stress of splitting one life into two fair and equal parts is something that takes time, patience and energy.

What happens, however, if your ex has a difficult personality? Those who possess narcissistic tendencies tend to put on a show to the outside world, but behind the scenes often take on a negative and combative attitude. Take a look at these four tips for dealing with a narcissist during your uncoupling.

Divorce and the emotional needs of children

On behalf of Mark A. Brown, P.S., Attorney at Law on Tuesday, January 15, 2019.

Divorces include a multitude of variables. Parental worry about children can be a common factor in most divorces. A child often feels powerless and fearful when parents decide to dissolve their marriage. Children are unable to reason as well as adults; in fact, young children may react solely on emotion. Some children fear that parents are not only divorcing each other, but they are also divorcing their children.

The entire family experiences stress in a divorce. Parents can learn how to create the least amount of trauma for their children by understanding separation from a child's point of view. Children fear abandonment. A difficult child may feel guilt and self-blame for the family breakup. Each child's reaction will be characteristic of unique personality traits, as well as age-related coping and cognitive skills. Children also take their cues from parental behavior.

Signs your marriage may be heading for divorce

On behalf of Mark A. Brown, P.S., Attorney at Law on Friday, December 21, 2018.

On your wedding day, you may pledge to be with your spouse until death. It may be ideal to stick with your partner through everything, but there could be a time when it is better to let things go. While you may try to work things out or go to therapy at first, if problems continue to arise, your marriage may be in deep trouble.

Each relationship is unique, and the decision to get a divorce is a deeply personal one. However, here are some red flags your marriage may be coming to an end. 

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Phone: 206-686-4466
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