Divorce Lawyers Near Me
The decision to end your marriage is hugely consequential, whether you have determined it to be the best choice or your spouse has. Dividing your life can feel overwhelming and is often full of uncertainty that often piles onto the present feelings of stress and anxiety of being in a marriage that may not be working. That’s why you need the help of our divorce lawyers near me law firm from S.L. Pitts in Seattle, WA.
Many divorces can be done quickly and with relatively little conflict, but you may not know how yours will be until you are in it. In most circumstances, the person you divorce is not the same person you married, making it critical to work with a Washington family law attorney who will help you protect your interests from the beginning. Call S.L. Pitts to get the support you need.
S.L. Pitts Divorce Lawyers Provide Exceptional Legal Services
When you are going through a divorce, the attorney you choose is one of the most important decisions you will make. While any attorney can likely help you with your divorce, working with one of the divorce attorneys from S.L. Pitts comes with the support of decades of experience and a focus on finding stability and healing.
Family relationships are complicated and unique. Separating from what you thought would be the rest of your life can be a painful process, even if it is the right one. When children are involved, you have the added emotional tax of trying to do right by them. Our attorneys understand this, and as a firm focused on transformational law, helping you achieve stability and a sense of well-being for your children, your relationships, and yourself is one of our primary goals.
As a local family law firm in Seattle, WA, you benefit from our in-depth knowledge of King County courts and our established relationships with the staff. Like anywhere else, the divorce process has its own unique quirks, and our knowledge of the people and their processes can help us keep things moving.
Our Values Drive Us
As a firm, we are guided by our core values and believe that our clients’ interests should always be the priority. When we focus on their success, it helps us advance. We believe that our role is to provide our clients with the information they need to make informed decisions. You can trust that we will provide you with honest advice, even when it’s difficult to hear, and continue to support you in whatever decision you make.
We show respect to everyone we encounter, whether they are a client, a client’s ex and their legal representation, or a court staff member. We believe that behavior and decisions born of negative or strong emotions such as pride, arrogance, or anger rarely benefit the situation. By maintaining a respectful attitude, we can ensure that both ourselves and the advice we provide remain balanced and reasonable.
Teamwork is an integral component of our success. We value examining a case from varied perspectives, which is why we hold weekly team staffings to discuss case strategy. This ensures that you benefit not only from the expertise of your attorney but also from the combined experience of our team.
Divorce Laws in Washington State are Complicated
While the general process for divorce is generally the same across the country, each state has its own specific set of laws to determine how divorce proceedings should be handled. The guidelines for a divorce in Seattle may differ from those in other states, making it important to find a divorce lawyer near you who is familiar with the local laws.
Waiting Periods
Washington State does not require married couples to file for legal separation before divorce, but there is a 90-day waiting period before your divorce can be finalized. According to guides from the King County Courts, this time begins on the date your spouse is served.
Jurisdictional and Residential Considerations
In Washington State, you or your spouse must be a resident. However, unlike many states, you do not have to be a resident for a specified period of time. Generally speaking, if you live in Washington and plan to make it your ongoing home, you are likely to qualify as a resident. This loose requirement can provide some leeway when determining where to process your divorce, even if your time is split or your spouse lives in a different state.
Grounds for Divorce
When we discuss divorce, many people will reference the grounds for divorce. In Washington, the only ‘grounds’ needed to divorce are simply determining that the marriage is irretrievably broken. If you have concerns that may otherwise be expressed or addressed, such as adultery or abuse, you can speak with your attorney to ensure these factors are appropriately addressed.
Our Divorce Lawyers Near You Can Help Navigate Critical Components of Family Law
The dissolution of a marriage contract is relatively simple. The part that makes divorce complicated is dividing the rest of the life you and your spouse have built together. Washington is considered a 50/50 state in terms of divorce, but a more accurate term may be equitable split.
Property and Asset Division
Property and asset division is often a contentious issue for couples in a divorce, and many may be surprised by how marital property is divided. For example, if both parties have relatively equal financial and domestic contributions, you may see assets divided relatively equally. This may mean that you acquire physical possessions of equal value, or that you sell properties or assets and divide the profits after debts are paid.
However, one spouse stayed home to provide the majority of domestic labor while the other person was able to focus on their career and maintain value in the workforce. In this case, the division may look different because the spouse who supported the family in domestic labor sacrificed career development and advancement, which means they may require additional support to begin life after divorce.
Spousal Maintenance
Spousal maintenance, often called spousal support and alimony, is a payment one spouse makes to the other after the divorce. This is meant to help balance out inequity in resources or quality of life following the divorce and is based on the necessity of one party and the ability of the other to pay. This is commonly seen in the example above, where one person invested in the family through domestic labor, while the other invested financially.
The duration and amount of spousal support ordered will depend on each person’s financial situation and the length of the marriage. You may have a temporary order that only applies until the judge issues a final decree. The general rule for duration is one year of alimony per three or four years of marriage. In marriages lasting 25+ years, it is more common for alimony to be assigned until both parties retire.
Domestic Violence in Seattle Divorces
Domestic violence and abuse are tragedies that too many Washington residents face. We understand that divorce cases that involve intimate partner violence require a deep understanding of the problem and a nuanced legal approach. Perpetrators of domestic violence do not make it easy to show, but our divorce attorneys are well aware of the patterns abusers often exhibit.
We appreciate that the decision to leave is not an easy one, and we will work diligently to protect your interests and keep you safe. Securing a protective order is often one of the first steps after leaving, and we can help you with that.
Determining Child Custody in Your Washington State Divorce
A custody agreement is technically separate from divorce, but is determined at the same time the divorce is finalized. In Washington State, child custody is determined based on the best interest of the child according to RCW 26.09.002. This means that preserving stability is one of the primary goals in determining an arrangement. This will often include determining factors such as:
- Who is the primary parent
- What is the relationship like with the other parent
- The age of the child
- The parenting capacity of each parent
For example, if one parent does most of the daily tasks like getting the kids up and dressed, bedtime, doctors, etc., the courts will often give more parenting time to that parent. It is critical to discuss your preferences and concerns regarding custody with your attorney.
Many Independent Factors Affect Child Support Determinations in Your Divorce
Child support is another factor that is separate from divorce and spousal maintenance. The amount owed in child support is determined by a formula based on your monthly income, the number of children you are supporting, and their ages. Depending on these variables, Washington State child support typically ranges from $200 to $3,500 per month.
The basic child support is intended to cover housing, food, and clothing. Therefore, some child support orders also require the parents to split other expenses, such as healthcare, daycare, and miscellaneous activities. These more discretionary expenses are often a source of conflict, so working with an attorney can help you ensure clear guidelines and expectations.
S.L. Pitts Can Provide Experienced Representation for Complex or High-Asset Divorces
Any divorce can be complex, but it is often a particularly significant issue for high-asset couples. While some may simply have an expensive home, a couple of luxury cars, and a substantial retirement and investment account that is easily valued and divided, that is not the norm in high-asset divorces.
If you run your own business or receive compensation in the form of deferred compensation, such as company stock, determining the value can become very complicated. Once we identify the asset, we must consider factors such as whether it is a vested option and whether it is a communal asset. If it is determined to be a marital acquisition, we often use a time-weighted formula to guide division.
Accurately valuing certain assets, such as stock or future business profits, often requires an experienced legal team that is well-versed in helping individuals navigate high-asset divorces. It also often requires consulting a financial expert to help analyze and value some of these components, ensuring equitable asset division.
The Divorce Process Is Not Always Complicated, But It Can Take Time
Predicting the timeline of your divorce can be challenging. The amount of time it takes can be influenced by several factors. However, most divorces will follow a general process. You may be able to expect the following in your divorce:
- Filing: To begin the legal process, you must file the petition for divorce through the courts.
- Serve your spouse: Once you have filed the petition to request a divorce, you must have the paperwork delivered to your partner by someone who is at least 18 years old. This can be done through a process server or certified mail, but in some cases, you may bring the paperwork yourself.
- Once your spouse acknowledges receipt or you have proof of service, you must wait 90 days.
- At this time, the judge may issue temporary custody or support orders when necessary.
- You can begin working to come to an agreement over division of property, debts, and custody, whether through mediation or on your own.
- You will have a court date for the judge to either review an agreement you have created or address any disputes.
- The judge will issue final orders.
These steps are not always linear, and you may find yourself moving back and forth between mediation and court appearances multiple times for various concerns or complications. However, this is generally what you can expect. If children are involved, you may need to take parenting courses to help you support them through the transition.
Contact Our Seattle Divorce Lawyers Near Me Law Firm
When you find yourself in a divorce, it comes with a lot of uncertainty. While we may not be able to predict the future, a divorce attorney with S.L. Pitts will advise you of your options to help you obtain your desired outcome. When every decision seems to come with emotions, we can help you sift through and make decisions that center on your interests.
Our team of family law attorneys is here to help you through the complexities of divorce. You can contact us online to schedule a consultation where we can discuss your situation and help you determine the best way forward in this trying time.