Family Law Attorneys in Edmonds, WA
Family is the most personal type of law that a person can deal with. Whether it is your finances, your children, or your social relationships, it affects every facet of one’s life. At Chin Legal Group, PLLC we are prepared for any possible scenario and circumstance. We are a goal-oriented practice. We will not give you unrealistic or unreachable expectations, but rather we want to achieve your best-case scenario based on the goals we have set forth. This will be done not outworking and out-preparing an opponent. While we cannot guarantee results, we can guarantee our effort and resolve in meeting your goals and expectations. Each client is different and so representation is geared towards you. Having an in-house criminal law attorney, immigration attorney, and business/estate/tax attorney assists in covering all facets of your case. We look forward to you putting your trust and faith into our practice and meeting your goals with vigorous and passionate representation in all family law matters.
Spousal Maintenance and Alimony
In Washington, Alimony is known as spousal maintenance and is granted on a case-by-case basis. The standard for an award of alimony is a two-pronged test, looking at the needs of the requesting party and the ability of the other party to pay. The Court will look at various other factors such as one’s work and employment history, historical income, the duration of the marriage, and one’s overall financial need, amongst other factors. If you are dealing with a spousal maintenance issue and have additional questions, please feel free to contact our office, either via telephone or by e-mail. We look forward to speaking with you.
Marital Separation Agreements, Prenuptial Agreements and Post-Nuptial Agreements
As it is commonly known, dissolution and custody proceedings are very personal and emotional affairs; and although necessary in many instances, often they can be avoided by careful planning and discussing the matter with an experienced attorney who can address potential issues. That is where pre-nuptial agreements and post-nuptial agreements can come in handy.
Agreements such as these are enforceable in Washington State and in fact are encouraged by the legislature and the Court. Agreements can be crafted and specifically tailored to meet the individual needs of each client.
However, not all agreements are made equally. In many instances, individuals will go to LegalZoom or another form-based subscription service to complete an agreement, believing that they have taken suitable protective measures to secure their property. Sadly, they are mistaken as legal forms subject as pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements are subject to extensive scrutiny.
In order for agreements to withstand the harsh analysis Court(s) often apply to them, you will need an experienced attorney such as Michael Chin. At Chin Legal Group, PLLC we take particular precautions to ensure that your agreement will withstand the scrutiny of the most venomous trial lawyer.
Custody Disputes and Initial Parenting Plan(s)
For most parents, there is nothing more important than your continued relationship with one’s children. Our team at Chin Legal Group, PLLC recognizes emotions run high during custody and dissolution proceedings, often with unintended consequences. The process of addressing parenting issues can be emotionally and psychologically draining. For this reason, it is important to find counsel that understands these issues and can solve your parenting disputes in a level headed and reasonable matter without compromising your goals and interests. That is the goal that Chin Legal Group, PLLC strives for. Our team professionals will work tirelessly to address your individual parenting issues and find out-of-box creative ideas to address each client’s needs. Whether it’s a need for third-party services, addressing substance abuse issues, alienation, or the other myriad of issues that come with parenting conflicts, we are here to assist.
Parenting Plan Modifications and Relocation
In today’s world, relationships are constantly in flux and things change. For this reason, we at Chin Legal Group, PLLC understand that while life changes, so do parenting plans and arrangements. That brings you to the world of parenting plan modifications and relocations. Because modifications of parenting plans are generally not favored in Washington, any party trying to change a parenting plan will have to establish an adequate cause. There are some exceptions to the rule, such as instances where the primary parent is relocating for good faith purposes; but by and large, Washington Courts prefer continuity in parenting arrangements. This, however, does not mean that you are absolutely barred from modifying your parenting plan. At Chin Legal Group, we can assist clients in finding the best way to modify a parenting plan to make it fit for both parties.
Child Support, Child Support Modifications, and Post-Secondary Support Issues
Unlike other aspects of a dissolution that are open to discussion, a duty to support one’s child IS NOT. The Court views child support as an obligation, generally regardless of one’s income. The typical “common sense” arguments such as “I cannot afford to pay” or “the other parent doesn’t spend it on the child” or “that is what I can afford” are not effective and often can hurt one’s case more than it can help.
In order to get an accurate depiction of child support, one should consult an attorney. While child support is not based on the needs and ability to pay test like spousal maintenance, there are area credits and deductions available to a parent. There are also child support deviations based on certain facts. These include credits for additional children, payment of certain expenses, and the amount of time one spends with a child, amongst other things. Additionally, the attorneys at Chin Legal Group, PLLC can address other corollary issues such as the use of the child tax/dependent credit, payment of extracurricular activities, and post-secondary education expenses (for example college). Let Chin Legal Group guide you through this process so you will not miss an issue.
Asset & Debt Dissipation & Waste
Often, in a divorce, parties may need to address dissipation or waste of community assets. This may be because your spouse has an uncontrollable gambling addiction, drug use or other similar activity. In order to ensure the client receives a just and equitable split of property, it is important to have a legal team which can address these issues. Our team at Chin Legal Group is familiar with these sorts of issues. We have handled distribution of complex stock transfers, financial waste issues and dissipation of assets. We have a network of well-known accounting and financial forensic specialists who assist us in these sort of matters.
Family Businesses. Family Business has an especially important place in Michael’s heart. For the past fifty (50) years, the Chin family has owned and operated restaurants in the Snohomish County area. Currently, Michael’s family owns and operates Patty’s Eggnest Breakfast. Thus, we understand the importance of keeping a family together. Give us the opportunity to protect your family business and your legacy.
QDROs, Retirement Distribution & Family Law Tax Issues. In today’s day and age, retirement and financial accounts often become the center of disputes and division. Let Chin Legal Group assist in ensuring that your legal rights have not impinged. From assessing the values of these accounts to dividing them and entering final division orders, let Chin Legal Group assist you in the entire process, from drafting, to approval by the benefits company, to the entrance of the final QDRO with the Judge.
Stock Plans, Restricted Stock Units, RSU(s) & other Employee Benefits. In today's world, the assets of an employee often become difficult to divide and address. There are many issues to decipher including when the asset was acquired, what sort of character it has, whether it can be transferred and what value it can hold for each spouse. While these issues can become more mainstream, many attorneys do not know how to properly address these issues or alternatively do not understand how to explain these issues to the Court. That is not the case at Chin Legal Group, PLLC where Michael Chin and his team regularly address the complexities of assets such as these. Let our team assist you in ensuring that you receive full compensation and value for these assets.
Bitcoin, Ethereum & other Cryptocurrency. Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency...It is the cool new asset that everyone wants. What is often not said about these assets is that they are easy to hide and difficult to trace. At Chin Legal Group. PLLC, we are at the forefront of understanding these issues. We have worked with experts nationwide to uncover hidden cryptocurrency and engaged in substantial discovery in order to ascertain both the value and character of hard-to-find electronic currency. Let our team of legal experts assist you in addressing these issues so again you are able to obtain a just and equitable division of your true community assets.
Parentage
It is important that both parents contribute to the raising and nurturing of a child. If a parent does not wish to acknowledge their duty or responsibility or will not let you be a part of your child’s life, let the team at Chin Legal Group assist in helping you recognize your parental rights as a parent. We can get a party named as a parent, address child custody rights, and address issues pertaining to child support. Every child deserves both parents and we can assist with this process.
Committed Intimate Relationships
If you are in a marital like relationship with your spouse or significant other, but are not formally married, that does not negate your rights to divide assets and property acquired during the relationship. Let our family law team enforce your rights in a committed relationship.
Prenuptial & Post-Nuptial Agreements
Prenuptial and Post-Nuptial Agreements are an effective way in which preserve your individual rights. However, not all agreements are made the same. In order for an agreement to be recognized by a Court, there are certain requirements necessary to ensure agreement will stand. At Chin Legal Group and specifically with Michael Chin’s extensive background in family law, as well as tax law, business planning and estate planning, let us assist you in preparing a Prenuptial or Post-Nuptial agreement that will be recognized in any court and will withstand the test of time.
CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE A FREE PHONE CONSULTATION!
