The Law Office of Stacy D. Heard, PLLC

10/19/2026

A parenting plan needs to address more than where children will spend their weekends. Decision-making, school schedules, holidays, travel, methods of communication, and transportation, are examples of topics that become important considerations. A thoughtful parenting plan may provide greater clarity for parents and children while addressing the realities of your family’s circumstances.

Please visit our website to learn more: www.heard-law.com

10/15/2026

One of the most common misconceptions about divorce is that dividing property simply means dividing the value of each asset in half. The reality can be considerably more complicated. A house may have a mortgage, appreciation, selling costs, tax implications, and questions about whether either spouse contributed separate property toward its purchase or improvement. The same is true of businesses, investment accounts, and retirement assets.

Property division deserves careful analysis before a settlement is finalized and we encourage you to schedule a consultation to discuss your personal circumstances: https://www.heard-law.com/contact-us

10/13/2026

When a family law matter crosses international borders, the legal issues can become significantly more complicated. Questions about jurisdiction, relocation, custody, foreign laws, and the enforcement of court orders will need to be addressed. International family law requires careful planning and coordination, particularly when multiple legal systems are involved.

If your family law matter crosses borders, we invite you to visit our blog as we offer many resources regarding International Family Law.
https://www.heard-law.com/blog

[International Family Law, International Family Law Attorney, International Family Law Questions]

10/08/2026

The legal agreement you reach in a divorce can have financial implications long after your case is closed. Filing status, claiming children as dependents, transferring property, dividing retirement accounts, selling a home, and the treatment of support payments, and more. The IRS has specific rules governing divorce and separation, and those rules should be considered when negotiating a settlement.

Your divorce agreement should make sense legally and financially. Schedule a consultation to discuss your matter: https://www.heard-law.com/contact-us

10/06/2026

Understanding court motions and discovery can make the litigation process more manageable. By staying organized, preserving relevant information, responding to requests promptly, and working closely with legal counsel, individuals involved in Washington family law disputes can be better prepared for the challenges of litigation.

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www.heard-law.com/blog/preparing-for-litigationunderstanding-court-motions-and-rules-of-discovery

10/02/2026

If divorce may be on the horizon, it can be in your best interest to understand your financial picture prior to beginning legal proceedings. Gather tax returns, bank statements, investment statements, retirement account information, mortgage documents, business records, and other information showing your family's assets and liabilities. Complete financial information is an important part of making informed decisions about property division and support.

Preparation can make a complicated process more manageable. Visit our website to read through our free resources and to learn more: https://www.heard-law.com

09/30/2026

Tax considerations are easy to overlook when parents are focused on custody and parenting schedules. In Washington, a final divorce decree addresses the allocation of federal tax exemptions, and federal tax rules determine how children may be claimed on a tax return. These issues can become particularly important when parents have different incomes or when multiple children are involved.

Don't leave tax provisions as an afterthought when negotiating your parenting and financial arrangements.

Visit our website to learn more: https://www.heard-law.com

09/28/2026

A retirement account may not look like traditional marital property, but it can represent a significant portion of a couple's financial assets. Dividing retirement funds can also involve important tax and procedural considerations.

Before agreeing that one spouse will "keep the retirement account," understand what that asset is actually worth and what is required to divide it.

Schedule a consultation to discuss your matter: https://www.heard-law.com/contact-us

09/24/2026

International families often face legal questions that do not arise in a typical domestic divorce. Questions such as:
⚠️ Which country has jurisdiction?
⚠️ Which court should address custody?
⚠️ Will a parenting order be recognized in another country?
⚠️ What happens if one parent wants to relocate internationally?

These questions should be addressed early, particularly when parents have different nationalities, children hold multiple passports, or the family regularly lives between countries.

Schedule a consultation to discuss your international family law matter: https://www.heard-law.com/contact-us

Contact Us Don’t Wait. Contact The Law Office of Stacy D. Heard, PLLC Our firm handles family law matters like yours. If you're ready to learn what your next steps in the legal process are, contact our office today to schedule your consultation. Office Address1126 34th Avenue, Suite 201, Seattle, ...

09/22/2026

Fall travel can bring additional questions for families with international ties. If your child has a passport, travels internationally with one parent, or has family living abroad, your parenting plan should clearly address travel arrangements and access to important documents. International custody disputes can become significantly more complicated once a child is outside the United States.

If international travel is part of your family's life, thoughtful planning matters.

Visit our website to learn more about international family law: https://www.heard-law.com