Nathan Cliber

“He is a great communicator, supportive, smart, and direct. He balances the ability to handle people who are undergoing profoundly emotional events with frankness, respect, and keen legal reasoning. He’s as real and as sharp as they get.”

Divorce is a transition from one type of family structure to a different kind of family structure. You must make many decisions when going through this kind of major life change, and having someone there to help you navigate those transitions can make all the difference. My job is to be a compassionate legal adviser who can help you see clearly both where you want to be and how best to get there.

As a family law attorney, much of my work is with people going through a divorce, or otherwise seeking help with ending a relationship. In some cases, this just means dividing up property and going your separate ways. In other cases, particularly when children are involved, a married couple may expect to continue interacting for years after the dissolution is finished. Regardless of the situation, I try to assist with an eye toward sustainability and long-term well-being. In other words, I want to help you figure out not only how to bring one chapter of your life to a close, but how to begin the next one.

Whatever your situation, I will listen to where you’ve been, what you’ve done, and how you’d like things to go. I will be honest with you about what I think is possible, what I think is likely, and what I think is wise. I will strive to understand your needs. Most importantly, I will do my utmost to work with you and think creatively about how we can move you from where you are now to where you want to be.

In addition to divorce practice, I like working with individuals and families in the early stages of relationships. Constructing and defining family structures going in creates a lot of space for creative and intentional work. This planning work can mean anything from drafting prenuptial agreements, to facilitating adoptions, to helping unmarried partners formulate parenting arrangements that suit their needs. I am also interested in helping to find creative solutions for people building alternative family structures and intentional communities.

Collaboration: For clients who qualify, I like to use a collaborative process. In collaboration, we agree to work outside the court system. Instead, the clients, guided by a professional support team, work with each other to create agreements that work for both. I believe this sophisticated approach to problem-solving allows us to achieve more sensitive outcomes for the parties, and leaves them better able to co-parent their children into the future. Give me a call if you would like to discuss the collaborative approach.

Mediation: For clients who are comfortable reaching decisions on their own with a minimum amount of attorney involvement, I also offer mediation services. In mediation, your attorneys will generally remain in the background to offer legal advice between mediation sessions and to prepare the legal paperwork needed to complete your divorce. Contact me if you would like to discuss mediation further.

You can contact Nathan directly at nathan@seattledivorceservices.com.

Nathan Cliber studied theatre arts at Western Washington University and received his legal education at the Seattle University School of Law, where he graduated Cum Laude. Nathan has worked with the Ronald A. Peterson Law Clinic, and as a Diversion Board Member with the Partnership for Youth Justice.