Yakima Family Law Blog

The end of a marriage can bring about a myriad of difficult emotions. In Washington State and all across the country, ending a marriage can also be a costly experience. The process of divorce can wreak havoc on personal finances. However, there are certain things like dividing property and assets that can be done early on that can save money and complications later.

Two of the most common assets of former spouses are property and pensions. Dividing these can sometimes be complicated. With pensions, these are usually divided two ways: pension sharing and pension offsetting. In pension sharing, one party can receive a percentage share of their former spouse's pension. In pension offsetting, the party originally receiving a pension keeps it, but the value of the pension is offset against another asset, usually the home.

Most Washington parents currently facing legal problems regarding financial provision or care of their children do not have to worry about the personal details of their situations making national news headlines. However, private situations can be just as stressful as those that unfold before the public eye, such as an ongoing battle between professional basketball player Blake Griffin and his former girlfriend. She has filed a palimony lawsuit against Griffin and is requesting child support for their two children.

Griffin's personal life has been talked about in the media on more than one occasion, especially since he reportedly struck up a romantic relationship with Kendall Jenner, a member of the famous Kardashian clan. In fact, Griffin's former girlfriend mentions Jenner in her palimony lawsuit, saying Griffin brought shame to her family when he abandoned them then pursued a relationship with Jenner. The mother of two said she is requesting child support because Griffin continues to earn millions of dollars while her children's basic needs remain unmet.

Most Washington married couples expect to be together for the rest of their lives. There's no foolproof way to predict which marriages will last and which will not; however, current data suggests that the likelihood of the latter is quite high in many areas. High asset divorce is seldom a process without challenges.

It's understandable that someone who has worked for years to amass savings or build a successful business would want to protect those interests in a divorce. Many people think ahead and sign prenuptial agreements to address property division concerns should a divorce occur later. These agreements can also specify what is to occur if one party predeceases the other. There are other resources available as well for keeping stress levels low in a high net worth value divorce.

Matt Lauer and his estranged wife, Annette Roque, were recently spotted sharing the holidays together with their kids. Headlines continue to spread regarding Lauer's abrupt termination from the "Today" show due to sexual harassment complaints against him. There are also rumors afloat that Roque plans to divorce Lauer. She previously began proceedings in 2006, but subsequently withdrew the complaint. Washington readers may relate to the developing story about this high\-profile couple.

Lauer and Roque own a sprawling horse farm on 40 acres that was purchased from actor Richard Gere during their marriage. It was there that they were reportedly seen recently with their children. It's not uncommon for estranged spouses to agree to spend holidays together so their kids can spend time with both parents simultaneously rather than shuttle back and forth between homes, which can be very stressful.