Category: Uncategorized

Bifurcation means chopping something into two parts. Sometimes this can apply to a lawsuit, usually when you and the other side agree on some things but not others. It can be beneficial to both sides to bifurcate the issues in their divorce to simplify the case in the event it goes to trial. A judge would probably be happy to hear s/he only has to rule on a couple of issues, rather than everything that usually encompasses a divorce.

In a divorce case, sometimes people can agree on how to divide property and debts, but are miles apart on a parenting plan or child/spousal support. In that scenario, you can enter an order granting you a divorce that says “we will still decide (list disputed issues) at trial.”

Divorces (and other lawsuits) can be long, painful processes, which often make people feel there is no light at the end of the tunnel. In some cases, people feel physically and emotionally better when they are able to close the door on their marriage, even if there are still some issues in dispute that need to be decided by the court.

Bifurcation is worth discussion with your attorney, though it may not be possible in all cases; first and foremost, you and the other side need to AGREE to bifurcate. Feel free to ask one of our attorneys for more information on bifurcation.

Since the governor’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order put us into essential lockdown on March 16th, we have mostly operated remotely. Our doors are closed to in-person meetings until further notice until we can set up appropriate measures to maintain social distancing and sanitizing precautions.

The best way to reach us is probably text message using 360-399-6440 (texts only). We are doing our best to be up and running, but please understand that it is very difficult to operate “normally” due to the pandemic.

Skagit County Courthouse went into a very tight lockdown in March, and had almost no hearings (if any) between March 16th and April 17th. Anything that was not an emergency was cancelled by the Court, including civil trials.

The US Constitution protects a criminal defendant’s right to speedy trial, so a bottleneck of civil trials has built up, and continues to build, while all criminal matters are given priority to advance through the system. There is nothing we can do about this, and it is the case in all counties where we practice (Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom).

A lot can be done via telephone and computer, and we encourage electronic contact to try and continue our work together. You can always reach out to us electronically, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.