Wysocki Law, PLLC

01/22/2026

As 2026 begins, I’m carrying a sense of peace — the kind that comes from perspective. My latest blog is a fun reflection on my recent trip to Peru and the insights it inspired.

That same philosophy is guiding Wysocki Law into 2026. Our firm is growing, and I’ll be adding an assistant and a paralegal to help us continue supporting families thoughtfully and collaboratively. If you’re interested, or know a VA who might be a good fit, please reach out.

Here’s to a year of meaningful steps, steady growth, and mindful work — for families, for our practice, and for the journey ahead. 🌄

Like Sisyphus pushing his boulder, families and lives move in cycles — transitions, challenges, and growth that are never truly ‘done.’ There is meaning, and even peace, in tending to what matters, step by step.

11/18/2025

✨Why we groan at injustice✨

At a recent presentation by Pauline Tessler, one of the pioneers of collaborative family law, we watched a game-show version of the Prisoner’s Dilemma. Two contestants promised to “split” $100,000—but one chose to steal. The room groaned. Even the “winner” appeared distressed.

Why such a visceral reaction? Humans are biologically wired for fairness—and feel betrayal when trust is broken.

In divorce, every negotiation is full of these “mini prisoner’s dilemmas.”

Litigation often rationalizes the stealer mentality, while collaborative divorce supports fairness, rebuilds trust, and creates space for real problem-solving.

Read more about this fascinating moment and its lessons for collaborative family law in my latest blog posthttps://www.wysockilaw.com/post/why-we-groan-at-injustice-lessons-from-a-100-000-prisoner-s-dilemma

Collaborative divorce, on the other hand, is specifically designed to prevent fear, mistrust, or the desire to “win at all costs” from dominating the process. In this setting, spouses can focus on fairness, problem-solving, and long-term solutions, rather than reacting automatically to perceived...

10/30/2025

Burning Down the Old

Bringing Light to the New 🔥🕯️

Last year, I burned down my litigation practice. Not out of failure, but out of clarity as to who I wish to serve and how. From the ashes has emerged something reborn: collaborative family law and proactive estate planning, built on peace, foresight, and care.

As Halloween, Día de los Mu***os, and All Souls’ Day remind us, death and rebirth are closely entwined. Even beneath the darkest ash, new growth reaches for the light. 🌱

Uncover more here 👇👇👇

At Wysocki Law, we help Washington families protect what matters most through proactive estate planning and collaborative family law — approaches that focus on peace, not conflict.

07/11/2025

We’ve all noticed the rising costs of everything—and now, Washington State has too. 💸📈

New laws are changing child support and estate taxes, and they could have a big impact on families. 🧾👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

Read the full article to find out what’s changing and how to plan ahead.

https://www.wysockilaw.com/post/money-money-money-how-the-washington-legislature-is-changing-the-financial-future-for-families-an

This year, the Washington State Legislature got serious about money—and not just for the budget. Two big pieces of legislation passed that will directly affect many of our clients: one in family law and one in estate planning. Both changes modernize outdated laws, providing relief to families in W...

07/03/2025

In my work at the intersection of divorce and estate planning, I often witness how the bonds formed in marriage outlive divorce.
This blog post shares a few stories—tender, complicated, and deeply human—about old ties resurfacing in unexpected and meaningful ways.

👉 https://www.wysockilaw.com/post/when-divorce-and-death-intersect-a-lawyer-s-view-from-the-fault-line

In my legal practice, I live at the crossroads of divorce and death. It’s not as grim as it sounds—though it can be heartbreaking. It’s also poignant, tender, and full of surprising grace. These two life events—often treated as endpoints—have a way of weaving back into each other, especial...

04/30/2025

Estate planning and procrastination go together like peanut butter and jelly—so let’s start small.

Breeze through our digital estate planning checklist and set your loved ones up for success!

And if you really want to be a superhero?

🦸 Set up a password manager and share emergency access.

No lawyers, no notaries—just a smart move that makes life easier for the people who’ve got your back.

How to Give Loved Ones Access to Your iPhone After Death | Digital Estate Planning Tips

04/25/2025

Did you know that there are four main ways to navigate a divorce?

1️⃣ Unbundled legal services – for couples who can reach their own agreement (or need just a little help)
2️⃣ Mediation – for those who need more help finding common ground
3️⃣ Collaborative divorce – a team-based approach to peaceful resolution for families with more complex needs
4️⃣ Litigation – the last resort when there’s dishonesty, danger, refusal to engage or total breakdown in communication.

This article takes a closer look at unbundled legal services—what they are, how they work, and why they’re becoming a popular choice for couples who want a simpler, more affordable, and court-free divorce. 👇

Unbundled Divorce in Washington State: Peaceful & Cost-Effective

04/17/2025

Some clients worry that bringing up a prenuptial agreement feels "icky"—like they’re planning for failure instead of building a future.

But in reality, the process of creating a prenup opens the door to honest conversations about money, expectations, and long-term plans—conversations many couples avoid until they’re already married and in the midst of conflict.

Even if the prenup is never enforced (or even lost!), the experience of working through those issues together can lay the foundation for a stronger, more transparent relationship.

In my latest post, I explore why the process matters more than the paper—and why a prenup can be worthwhile even if it’s never used (which is the goal!).

A prenuptial agreement isn’t just about legal protection—it’s about communication, education, and building a shared understanding. Even if the document is lost or never enforced, the process itself can strengthen your relationship and help prevent conflict down the road.

02/18/2025

✨ Exciting News! ✨

Last year’s joint CPW/DRAW CLE was a smashing success, and we’re doing it again! 🎉

I love being in a room full of litigators and collaborative law professionals—the more these two worlds mingle and understand each other, the better.

This year, we’re fortunate to have Pauline Tessler, who knows both worlds well, present Neuroliteracy 101: 21st Century Brain Science for Lawyers, Mediators and Judicial Officers.

Register here: https://draw.legal/seminars/draw-cpw-2025/

02/07/2025

I was going to save this post for summer, but when the February snow started falling, I realized something: if we don’t plan for summer now, we’ll miss out on the best opportunities. The same goes for estate planning—waiting until you need a plan can limit your options.

Here’s a real-life story about a family RV that had to be sold—not because it was no longer wanted, but because of lack of planning. (Specific names and details are changed for privacy)

Thinking about your legacy? The time to plan is before you think you need to. ❄️➡️☀️

Read more about how Washington's tricky transfer tax caught a family off guard.

This story of Henry, Tom, and Jake illustrates a lesser-known aspect of Washington’s vehicle transfer tax rules.

12/10/2024

While marriage can be a great estate planning strategy (as we shared in our last blog article), skipping the planning prior to marrying can lead to unexpected messes. So is marriage a good estate planning strategy or a bad one? As lawyers love to say, "It depends!"

👉 Read our latest blog to protect your love and your legacy.

Washington’s community property laws, blended families, and lack of proper documentation can lead to unintended consequences.

12/04/2024

Check out our latest blog post to learn why marriage might be one of the smartest estate planning strategies.

From simplifying the transfer of assets to offering potential tax savings, tying the knot can strengthen your estate plan in ways you might