Attorney Articles & Analysis

Port Townsend is a beautiful place to retire, but life on the Peninsula sometimes takes unexpected turns. If you are facing the end of a long-term marriage later in life, you are part of a growing demographic facing unique legal challenges. Navigating a divorce in Jefferson County after the age of 50 requires a specific legal strategy—one that prioritizes asset protection and long-term security over simple separation. Often called “Gray Divorce,” separating after the age of 50 presents a unique set of legal and financial challenges that younger couples simply don’t face. Whether you are in Port Townsend, Port Ludlow, or Chimacum, understanding how Washington State law treats retirement assets, social security, and spousal support is critical to protecting your future. At Heuberger Law, we specialize in helping seniors navigate these complex changes with dignity and financial security. Why is “Gray Divorce” on the Rise in Jefferson County? National trends

If you are filing for divorce, legal separation, or a paternity action in Jefferson County, and have minor children, you will encounter a specific hurdle early in the process: the mandatory parenting seminar. For many parents in Port Townsend and surrounding areas, this requirement comes as a surprise. You may wonder: “Why do I need a class? I know how to raise my kids.” It is important to understand that the Jefferson County Superior Court does not require this class to teach you how to parent. They require it to teach you how to co-parent through a legal separation. Here is everything you need to know to satisfy this requirement efficiently so your case – and your family – can move forward. 1. What is the Requirement? Under Jefferson County Local Court Rules (LFLR 9), both parties in a case involving the residential schedule of a child must complete an

If you and your child’s other parent were never married, Washington law still provides an avenue for you to sort out: In Jefferson County, that all happens through Superior Court in Port Townsend. This article explains how it works here specifically for unmarried parents. (This is general information, not legal advice about your particular situation.) 1. Do unmarried parents have different rights in Washington? Short answer: once parentage is legally established, unmarried parents have basically the same rights and responsibilities as divorced parents when it comes to issues pertaining to the children But there are two big practical differences for unmarried parents: Until there’s a court order, things are fuzzy. You might be “getting along for now,” but you don’t have enforceable rules if conflict breaks out, someone moves, someone withholds the child, or someone doesn’t pay their share of the cost of daycare.  2. Step One: Establishing parentage (paternity)