- Divorce
- Child SupportIt can take some time for a divorce to become final while the parties resolve issues pertaining to child support, custody, or the division of assets and liabilities. Therefore, Washington law permits couples to obtain temporary orders quickly to remain in effect pending trial or final settlement.
- Child Custody and VisitationA third-party custody proceeding does not extinguish either parent’s parental rights; if the petition is granted, the Court will issue a Residential Schedule, similar to the Parenting Plan entered in a divorce or legal separation proceeding. The Residential Schedule will specify when the child shall be in the custody of the third-party, and the parents’ visitation rights. A child support order may also be entered requiring one or both parent(s) to pay support to the third-party custodian.
- Adoption
- Premarital AgreementCouples often wish to eliminate any doubt as to whether property is community or separate in nature, how property will be divided if the relationship ends, and the survivor’s rights if one party dies. Prenuptial Agreements and Cohabitation Agreements can help couples accomplish these goals. They permit parties to create their own rules for the characterization, treatment and disposition of all property that is owned or acquired by the parties.
- GuardianshipA Guardianship is a court proceeding whereby one can obtain the legal right to make decisions regarding the property and/or personal affairs of another.
- Spousal SupportMaintenance: Commonly referred to as alimony, one spouse or domestic partner may be entitled to maintenance for his or her support; eligibility for maintenance and the amount and duration of the payments depends on a variety of factors, including the length of the relationship; the age, physical condition and financial resources of the party seeking maintenance, the standard of living during the marriage or domestic partnership, and the ability of the other spouse or domestic partner to pay maintenance.
- Legal SeparationDealing with any legal matter can be a daunting process. Our goal is to make the process as easy as possible for you. Whether you are looking for help drafting an estate plan; seeking a divorce or legal separation; trying to establish a guardianship for a disabled child or incapacitated parent; or involved in a legal dispute involving an estate or trust; we believe that every case is unique and deserves individual attention, not a “cookie-cutter” or “one size fits all” approach; we have a wealth of experience and legal expertise to draw on to find a solution that is right for you.
- Restraining OrderIn addition to temporary custody, maintenance and child support orders, the Court may also grant one party the right to live in the family home, assess responsibility for paying certain expenses, prohibit either party from hiding or disposing of assets, and enter restraining orders prohibiting one party from contacting the other.
- Estate PlanningAt the Law Office of John S. Palmer, we will gladly review your existing estate plan free of charge, and let you know if any changes are needed. We can tailor any estate planning document to meet your needs, and draft an estate plan that is right for you.
- WillsA Last Will and Testament can do much more than just designate who inherits your property after your death. Parents can nominate a guardian for their minor children. A Will can also create a Trust to hold and manage the inheritance of any beneficiary, such as a minor or incapacitated adult; a testamentary Special Needs Trust can leave a bequest to a disabled beneficiary without jeopardizing his or her eligibility for government benefits, such as Medicaid or SSI. And provisions, such as a Credit Shelter Trust can be included to reduce or eliminate estate taxes.
- TrustsA Revocable Living Trust is similar to a Will in that it provides for the disposition of assets after your death; as with a Will, it may include provisions for minimizing or eliminating estate taxes, and for continuing to hold assets in trust for any minor or incapacitated beneficiaries.
- Power of AttorneyEvery estate plan should include Durable Powers of Attorney. A Power of Attorney grants a third party (the “Agent” or “Attorney-in-Fact”) the legal authority to make decisions for, or act on behalf of, the person signing the Power of Attorney (the “Principal”).
- Probate
- Tax LawA Qualified Domestic Trust (QDOT) is a tax-planning trust used to preserve the unlimited marital deduction in situations where the surviving spouse is not a US citizen. Otherwise, the estate of the first spouse to die would pay estate tax on assets left to the surviving spouse that exceed the applicable state or federal exclusion amounts. If assets in excess of the exclusion amount are placed in a QDOT, the tax on these assets will be deferred. A QDOT may be used to defer both state and federal estate taxes.