Understanding Washington’s Litigation Process
What many people don’t realize is that you can settle your case at almost any time. Furthermore, some jurisdictions may require the parties to attempt to resolve their issues via arbitration or mediation. Therefore, entering into the litigation process does not mean that you must proceed to trial. In fact, the vast majority of divorce cases are resolved without a trial.
Litigation can be time-consuming. It may take as long as a year to get to trial from the date you first file your petition. It can also be expensive. For these reasons, we consider litigation to be your last resort if all other options have failed. That said, as seasoned divorce litigators, we are fully prepared to litigate your case if necessary.
Why You May Need a Seattle Divorce Litigation Attorney
We do our best to avoid going to court, though sometimes it is necessary. Court isn’t a purely negative option – litigation can help resolve challenging issues that spouses cannot resolve on their own.
However, while a resolution reached via litigation may include some compromise, the court is required to follow the law. As a result, litigation typically allows for less flexibility than other potential remedies. For this reason, many clients are extremely intimidated by the prospect of litigation.
Family Law and Divorce Litigation Attorneys
Advocacy is not only about going to court, but also involves negotiating outside of court. When we can negotiate a solution rather than go to court, you have a great deal more control over the outcome, both in terms of making sure it is acceptable to you and in terms of fine-tuning the details to fit your situation.
A crucial first step when entering litigation is to work with your attorney to outline your goals for the forseeable process, and to develop a plan for how you might achieve them. Defining your goals is not just a matter of deciding what results you hope for, but of talking about what is realistic, what your priorities are, and what is best going to secure your future.
