By Guest G. at Judy's Book May 16, 2013
Cheryl Russell is a biased arbitrator with an evident disdain for women. She favors the father at the expense of justice, ignores evidence, and dismisses relevant case law. She is cold and ruthless and only cares about generating fees fo... ...read more
By Guest G. at Judy's Book June 25, 2012
She was both mediator and arbitrator in my child custody case. I agree with the description of biased, cold, and uncaring. I'd like to add rude and condescending to the list. I am strongly suspicious that she has a prejudice (or personal... ...read more
By Cameo C Massey March 16, 2011
If I could give a negative score I would. Do not trust this lawyer, he is currently under investigation with the WSBA. He does not practice law in an ethical or moral way!! ...read more
One of the many factors that can determine alimony eligibility and amounts during a Washington divorce is spousal education. If one spouse pursued higher education or vocational training while the other spouse worked to provide for the household, Washington alimony rules state that the working spouse may be entitled to alimony. Education Affects Alimony Rights The court will take into consideration the earning ability of both spouses before making alimony decisions. The party seeking alimony must demonstrate that he has limited financial means and is currently working at his educational and vocational best. In situations where one spouse sacrificed monetarily to allow the spouse to seek a degree or certification, the courts may award the working spouse alimony in order to pursue educational opportunities of her own. Courts also often consider that one spouse now has a better educational background, thus allowing him more opportunities to support themselves and therefore the means to also pay spousal support. Alimony Is Not Guaranteed Even if you supported your spouse while he obtained a degree or certification, that does not necessarily entitle you to spousal support. Alimony is a needs-based award, and if you are still able to meet your needs after divorce with your own means, you may not be able to seek alimony. Additionally, if you already have what the court considers to be adequate educational experience, you will likely not be able to claim spousal support to pursue an education of your own. As long as you can maintain the standard of living you were accustomed to during your marriage, alimony is likely not within your rights. Fighting for Your Right to Alimony When you can prove that you sacrificed your own educational or career pursuits to allow your spouse to follow their educational path, you have a strong argument for alimony. There are many factors that the Washington State family law courts look at when awarding alimony, including duration of marriage and your spouse's financial means. Before you accept a denial of alimony or an alimony demand on you that is excessive, talk to a divorce attorney. You may be able to negotiate for a lower alimony obligation due to financial limitations. Additionally, you may be able to negotiate more alimony in the event you have come to expect a certain standard of living that you cannot continue with your current means. The Law Offices of Molly B. Kenny helps Washington State couples ensure that their divorces are fair and as stress free as possible. Call 425-460-0550 orvisit our websiteto discuss your alimony rights and options during divorce. ...read more
By Law Offices of Molly B. Kenny April 24, 2016
Washington State’s community property laws allow both spouses to have equal rights to assets considered "marital property.” When a couple divorces, both partners must work together to fairly divide marital property, regardless of who earned more or made more purchases. Fortunately, I can show you how to protect assets during a divorce. Document Your Assets and Obtain an Appraisal Start by making a list of all major assets you and your ex-spouse will be dividing. It helps to note which assets you wish to keep and which you do not care about, as this can help when it comes time to negotiate division. You should also have a qualified appraiser assess your assets so you are aware of their value for negotiation purposes. Separate Your Finances Early On in the Divorce Process The sooner you establish your own banking account and credit cards, the easier it will be to start your own separate life after a judge finalizes the divorce. This will also allow your income to go directly into your own account rather than a joint account. Creating your own accounts is especially important if you were the main income earner of the household. Evaluate the Importance of Major Assets If you own a significant amount of property or have many large-value items such as vehicles, collections, or investments, you will need to give some thought to what items are most important to you. Once you know what you absolutely want out of the divorce, you can use the remaining items as bargaining chips in order to secure the assets you want. For example, if you want the house but do not care for the two sports cars, you can offer to give up your right to the cars in exchange for your ex-spouse giving up his right to the house. Talk to a Property Division Attorney Sooner Rather than Later The sooner you get a Washington state divorce attorney on your side, the easier it will be to negotiate property division. Attorneys can help with the valuation of property, dividing a family business, and create a plan to ensure you are getting your fair share of the marital property. For help with your Washington state divorce, call the Law Offices of Molly B. Kenny at 425-460-0550. ...read more
By Law Offices of Molly B. Kenny March 24, 2016
Being combative during divorce does not just refer to physical altercations. Your ex-spouse could be verbally combative, which can hinder the progress of your divorce. The following are some tips for how to deal with a combative ex-spouse and make it through your divorce. Keep Discussions Focused on the Essentials If everything seems to turn into an argument between you and your ex-spouse, try to keep the discussions to a minimum by choosing your topics carefully. Stick to the essentials such as child support and custody, property division, and alimony. If it does not matter to your divorce case, do not bring it up. If you know certain things are sore subjects, take time to think about how you will bring up the matter and how you will respond to your ex-spouse̢۪s expected response. You may need to approach certain topics from a safer distance, such as through electronic communications. Limit Your Private Communications to Email Your ex may act civil in meetings with your divorce attorneys present, but when the two of you try to talk things out alone, things get out of hand. If this sounds familiar, try restricting your one-on-one communication strictly to emails. This allows you more time to carefully write a response rather than saying the first thing that comes to mind. Do Not Involve Your Children The last thing your children need to see is their parents constantly arguing while going through a divorce. When children get involved between combative parents, they may end up a part of the argument. This can result in more feelings that the divorce is somehow their fault. You should always hold conversations with your ex about the divorce away from the children, and only involve them when the discussion has to do with their future. Your Safety is Top Priority If at any point in discussions with your ex-spouse, you feel like your personal safety or the safety of your children is at risk, take action. Call the police if you are in immediate danger. If you think your ex-spouse will become violent during discussions, talk to your divorce attorney about filing a restraining order. You may also request that all divorce discussions take place with a divorce attorney or mediator present. You Do Not Have to Deal With Your Ex-Spouse Alone Remember that you can require that all divorce discussions and planning go through a divorce attorney. This can help keep all agreements and decisions legal and on record, as well as fair to the both of you. Additionally, this gives you extra protection in the event things get out of hand during negotiations. If you are seeking a divorce in Washington State and fear that a combative ex-spouse will make the process more difficult than it needs to be, the Law Offices of Molly B. Kenny is here to help.Contact ustoday for a consultation regarding your divorce case, and we can help guide and protect you through any situation at 425-460-0550. ...read more
By Law Offices of Molly B. Kenny February 26, 2016
Getting a legal internship can help boost your career by giving you the much needed experience to place on your resume. A job canidate that has just left school but has several intern experiences under his belt will have a better chance getting a new position in a law firm than a job canidate that doe... ...read more
Low income people sometimes have a difficult time receiving legal help. Many do not know they have the opportunity to receive free legal help. Some of these services available to them are by public service charities, volunteer lawyers and law student clinics. People seeking information on these progra... ...read more