Planning for Life After Divorce - Financial and Emotional Considerations

The legal process of divorce marks the end of a marriage, but it also marks the beginning of something else - your next chapter. Whether the decision to divorce was mutual or not, life after divorce often requires rebuilding routines, finances, and personal identity. For many, this period is a mix of relief, uncertainty, and opportunity.

At Magnuson Lowell, P.S., we guide our clients not only through the divorce process but also toward a confident future. Here are some key areas to focus on as you transition into life after divorce.

Reassess and Rebuild Your Financial Life

Divorce can significantly change your financial situation. You may have a new budget, different income streams, and changed responsibilities. Start by taking stock of your post-divorce financial picture:

• Create a new monthly budget that reflects your current income and expenses
  
  
• Review and update all financial accounts, including banks, credit cards, and retirement plans
  
  
• Check your credit report to ensure joint accounts are closed or properly updated
  
  
• Rebuild emergency savings to create a financial safety net
  
  
• Meet with a financial advisor to discuss long-term planning, especially if you’ve received or are paying spousal support or a share of retirement assets

Establishing a strong financial foundation can bring a sense of control and security as you move forward.

Update Legal and Estate Planning Documents

Divorce often requires updates to several important legal documents. After your case is finalized, make sure you:

• Revise your will and estate plan to reflect new beneficiaries and wishes
  
  
• Update powers of attorney and healthcare directives
  
  
• Change beneficiaries on life insurance, retirement plans, and investment accounts where permitted
  
  
• Review and revise title documents on vehicles or real estate if awarded in the divorce

Failing to update these documents could unintentionally leave your former spouse with rights you didn’t intend.

Develop a Co-Parenting Strategy (If You Have Children)

If you have children, the end of your marriage doesn’t end your connection to your co-parent. While parenting after divorce can be challenging, a cooperative and consistent approach is best for your children’s well-being.

Tips for effective co-parenting include:

• Following your parenting plan consistently
  
  
• Using a shared calendar to manage visitation and events
  
  
• Keeping communication respectful and focused on the children
  
  
• Addressing conflicts through mediation or legal channels, not through the children

Every situation is different, and some co-parenting situations may not fit these types above. Finding a rhythm and working with your attorney to create a proper Parenting Plan is of the utmost important.

Prioritize Your Emotional Health

Divorce brings emotional strain, even in the most amicable cases. You may experience grief, anger, relief, or all the above. It’s important to give yourself time and space to heal.

• Talk to a therapist or counselor who can help you process the transition
  
  
• Stay socially connected to family and friends
  
  
• Focus on healthy habits, including sleep, exercise, and nutrition
  
  
• Set personal goals that reflect your values and vision for the future

Remember, you are not alone. Many people thrive after divorce with time and support.

Need Help Getting to the Next Chapter?

If you're in the middle of a divorce or considering filing, having the right legal team can ease your transition and protect your future. At Magnuson Lowell, P.S., we provide strategic, compassionate guidance throughout the divorce process and beyond.

We offer free telephone case evaluations. Contact us today to learn how we can support your journey 425-800-0582

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Cryptocurrency has grown from a niche investment into a mainstream asset class, and it's showing up more often in divorce cases. If you or your spouse owns Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other digital currencies, it’s important to understand how these assets are handled under Washington divorce law.

Like any other financial asset, cryptocurrency must be identified, valued, and divided fairly. But because it’s digital, volatile, and sometimes anonymous, dividing it can present unique challenges.

Is Cryptocurrency Considered Marital Property?

In Washington, a community property state, most assets acquired during the marriage are presumed to be jointly owned, regardless of who owns the asset. That includes cryptocurrency purchased with marital funds.

If one spouse acquired cryptocurrency before the marriage or using separate property, that portion may be considered separate.  In that event, a proper tracing should be performed to ensure an accurate apportionment of marital property.

Challenges in Identifying Cryptocurrency Holdings

Unlike a traditional bank or investment account, cryptocurrency can be stored in digital wallets or on exchanges that may not be immediately visible during initial disclosures. If you suspect your spouse owns cryptocurrency but hasn’t disclosed it, your attorney can use formal discovery tools, such as:

• Requests for account statements or wallet addresses
  
  
• Subpoenas to major cryptocurrency exchanges
  
  
• Analysis of bank transfers or blockchain records

Failing to disclose cryptocurrency holdings during a divorce can result in court sanctions.

How Is Cryptocurrency Valued in Divorce?

Cryptocurrency’s value is notoriously volatile, and prices can swing dramatically in a matter of hours or days. To deal with this, parties may:

• Use the market value on a specific date (often the date of separation or trial)
  
  
• Agree to split the actual crypto instead of converting it to cash
  
  
• Revisit valuations closer to the finalization of the divorce to account for market changes

The approach you take depends on the size of the holding, your financial goals, and your comfort with crypto investment risk.

Dividing Cryptocurrency: Equal Split or Offset?

There are two main ways to divide cryptocurrency in a divorce:

1. Transfer the crypto directly. If both spouses are comfortable managing digital wallets, crypto can be split and transferred, preserving the asset in its current form.
   
   
2. Offset the value. One spouse keeps the cryptocurrency, and the other receives an equal-value asset (like cash, investments, or property). This avoids dealing with crypto directly but may raise fairness issues if the value changes quickly.

In either case, it’s important to document the division clearly in the final divorce decree to avoid future disputes.

Protect Yourself with Proper Documentation

To ensure a smooth division of cryptocurrency, it’s helpful to include in your divorce paperwork:

• The exact type and amount of cryptocurrency held
  
  
• Wallet addresses or exchange accounts
  
  
• Agreed-upon valuation dates
  
  
• Instructions for transfer or liquidation
  
  
• A plan for resolving future value disputes, if needed

This level of detail can prevent confusion or conflict later on.

Work with a Washington Divorce Attorney Who Understands Digital Assets

Cryptocurrency is a relatively new issue in divorce, and not all attorneys are familiar with how to handle it properly. At Magnuson Lowell, P.S., we stay informed on evolving digital asset trends and help our clients navigate the legal and financial complexity of dividing crypto.

We offer free telephone case evaluations. Contact us today to discuss your divorce and how we can help protect your interests in the digital world.

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Divorce is rarely straightforward, and when one spouse has a disability, the process can become even more complex - emotionally, legally, and financially. Whether the disability is physical, mental, or cognitive, it can impact everything from spousal support to property division and parenting plans. Understanding how disability factors into divorce can help you prepare for the unique challenges ahead.

Spousal Support May Play a Larger Role

In Washington, spousal maintenance (also called alimony) is determined based on one spouse’s need and the other’s ability to pay. When a disabled spouse is involved, courts often give additional weight to:

• The disabled spouse’s inability to earn a living wage
  
  
• Their ongoing medical expenses and special care needs
  
  
• The duration and stability of their disability
  
  
• The length of the marriage and standard of living during the marriage

In many cases, spousal support awards may be higher or last longer than they would in a typical divorce to ensure the disabled spouse is not left financially vulnerable.

Dividing Property and Access to Benefits

Marital property is still subject to Washington’s community property laws, but disability-related assets and benefits may require special handling. Important issues to consider include:

• Protecting eligibility for government assistance programs like Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or other benefits that are income or asset-sensitive.
  
  
• Recognizing that some disability benefits are not considered divisible marital property, while others may be partly subject to division.
  
  
• Deciding who will be responsible for maintaining specialized medical equipment or home modifications made during the marriage.

An experienced divorce attorney can help ensure that dividing assets does not unintentionally disqualify a disabled spouse from receiving necessary benefits.

Parenting Plans and Custody Considerations

When children are involved, the court’s focus remains on the best interests of the child. A parent’s disability alone is not a reason to deny custody or visitation rights. However, the court will consider:

• The parent's ability to safely care for the child
  
  
• Whether accommodations are needed to assist the disabled parent in their parenting responsibilities
  
  
• Any impact the disability may have on the child’s day-to-day care

If necessary, parenting plans can be customized to provide extra support while preserving a strong parent-child relationship.

Negotiating with Compassion and Realism

Divorcing when disability or illness is involved often requires more patience, flexibility, and creativity in negotiations. Both spouses should focus on finding solutions that allow the disabled individual to maintain independence and dignity while fairly dividing shared responsibilities and resources.

Mediation or collaborative divorce may offer a less adversarial path, especially when both sides are willing to work together to craft practical and compassionate agreements.

Work with an Experienced Washington Divorce Attorney

If you or your spouse is disabled and considering divorce, it’s important to work with an attorney who understands the complex legal and financial issues involved. At Magnuson Lowell, P.S., we offer thoughtful, experienced representation for clients facing these challenges.

We offer free telephone case evaluations to help you understand your options and plan for the future with confidence. Contact us today to discuss your situation and learn how we can help 425-800-0582

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