Seattle Family Lawyer | Divorce & Custody Representation

Hire an Experienced and Compassionate Seattle Family Lawyer to Help Your Family

At Seattle Divorce Services, each of our skilled family lawyers believes in resolving conflict rather than exacerbating it. We believe that our clients do not benefit from extended fighting but rather are looking to find solutions to their divorce issues and move on with their lives. We serve clients throughout King County and the State of Washington.

Read Our Guide to Divorce and Your Child

Our Law Firm Can Manage All Your Family Law Issues

At our firm, your Seattle family lawyer will assist you in selecting the best process for your divorce and be by your side until the divorce (or other family law matters) is completed. Our focus is on your long-term future, which means we look for solutions that will address not just your immediate needs but will serve you down the road. When possible, we help clients work with each other to develop mutually satisfactory agreements, which tend to be far more durable and result in fewer trips back to court over time.

Specific issues your knowledgeable lawyer can assist you with include:

Division of property and debt. This looks at both community and separate assets and liabilities.
Spousal maintenance (alimony). Often one spouse needs help regaining their independent financial stability.
Child support. Both parents have an obligation to provide for their children.
Parenting Plans & Child Custody. Learn the issues considered when creating a residential schedule.
Parental Rights Disputes. From termination of parental rights to emancipation, a lawyer can help manage your dispute.
Creating a Parenting Agreement. Parents need a long-term plan as to how they are going to share in the parenting of their children.
Relocation. Learn how a move can fit into your current parenting plan.
Visitation. Create a schedule that best fits the needs of your family.
Restraining orders. In abuse situations, orders may be necessary to provide protection.
Parentage (paternity.) When parents are not married but have children together, a parentage action can establish their ongoing roles with regard to their children.
Legal Separation. A couple may want to be legally separated rather than completely divorced for various reasons, such as keeping a spouse on health insurance.
Pre and Post-Nuptial Agreements. Couples may wish to make special arrangements as to property and debt either prior to marriage or even during marriage.
Modifications. From time to time support and parenting arrangements may need to be updated to better fit current circumstances.
Unmarried Couples. Whether you qualify for a domestic partnership, a committed intimate relationship, or neither, we’ll help you with property division, paternity, parenting plans, etc.
Alternative Families. Our firm is experienced in assisting all different family units, including LGBTQ+ families and those in polyamorous relationships.

When it comes time to select a family lawyer for your divorce or other family law matters, it is important to find an attorney who is a good fit for you. A good fit means having a family law attorney who shares your values and concerns, who understands where you are coming from, whose approach fits with who you are, and how you want to deal with the issues.

If the fit is not right, you and your own lawyer will be at odds too much of the time as your values and approaches pull you in different directions. With a good fit, you and your lawyer should be in sync, pursuing the same goals through methods you both agree on.

The Role of a Seattle Family Lawyer

Many people think that a family lawyer’s role consists entirely of handling your divorce paperwork and navigating the court system. While these are significant aspects of what a family lawyer does, your attorney can play a much broader role than you may realize.

One of the most valuable services a knowledgeable family attorney can provide is to give experienced counsel regarding your particular situation. They can help you understand your options, the potential issues and challenges you face, and what kind of outcome you can expect. Your attorney can help set your expectations early on so that you don’t waste valuable time pursuing unrealistic results or become frustrated when you can’t get what you want.

Another valuable service that a family lawyer provides is that they can speak on your behalf. They can negotiate custody, child support, property division, and any other issues on which you and your spouse cannot agree. In cases where the divorce is less than amicable, having an attorney handle the discussions can help get the issues resolved much more quickly and with much less stress.

Drafting or completing legal documents, providing legal advice, and serving as an advocate are vital services that your lawyer can provide. However, there are other roles that a family lawyer can fill that are often overlooked:

They are someone you can trust. Whether you are going through a divorce or dealing with a custody issue, family dynamics can make it difficult to talk to someone without fear of what you say being used against you. Your lawyer owes you complete confidentiality, which means that they can never reveal any concerns or issues that you may have. This can be incredibly helpful for people who are feeling isolated and unsure of where to turn.
They can lend a compassionate and empathetic ear. On a similar note, your lawyer can do something that may feel like few other people in your life can do – they can listen. They are unequivocally on your side and can help you unburden yourself of whatever difficult feelings you may be carrying around.
They can provide perspective. Family law issues are among some of the most difficult issues you can face and can be emotionally draining. As a result, it’s easy to come to believe that your situation is hopeless. An experienced family lawyer can also help you remember that as difficult as things are now, the situation will get better.
They can handle the communication. Your life doesn’t stop even when you are facing a family crisis. Your lawyer can make the phone calls, respond to the emails, and generally keep the process moving forward while you focus on work and taking care of yourself.

Getting Divorced in King County Court

You and your spouse can file for divorce in any county in Washington state by agreement, but spouses will often file in the county where one or both of them reside. This is because it is often more convenient to file in a jurisdiction that is close by. Where you file can also have an impact on your filing fees and certain procedural aspects. For example, Lincoln County allows couples to finalize their divorce by mail. Where you file can have a significant impact on how your divorce proceeds, and the advantages and disadvantages should be carefully considered. If you are considering filing for divorce, an experienced family lawyer can help you decide which county would be best for you to file your case.

The first step is to determine whether your divorce will be contested or uncontested. It is important to understand that this entails more than whether or not you and your spouse agree to get divorced – an uncontested divorce means that you not only agree to get divorced, but also agree as to how your property will be divided and how your custody and support obligations will be determined. This is important because it will have a significant impact on how your divorce proceeds.

An uncontested divorce in King County Court can be finalized on the 91st day after filing a joint petition. If you have children, the only other required element is to complete a mandatory parenting seminar.
A contested divorce is full-scale litigation and could involve motions for temporary order and formal discovery such as interrogatories and depositions. Unless you and your spouse are able to reach a settlement, the process will culminate in a trial. This means that it could take well over a year for your divorce to be finalized.

To initiate the process, there are several forms that need to be properly completed and filed with the court. You will also need to pay court fees of $314. If your divorce is contested, a copy of the divorce paperwork must be served upon the other party. Failure to properly complete and file your forms or have them served on your spouse will prevent your case from moving forward.

While it is possible to obtain a divorce without an attorney, the process is much more complex than people realize, even in an uncontested divorce. Furthermore, if you have not already been through the process, it can be difficult to anticipate potential future issues. Consulting an experienced and knowledgeable family lawyer before you start the process can save you considerable time and effort down the road.

When Should You Speak With a Seattle Family Lawyer?

If you don’t already have an attorney, you can talk to a family lawyer at any point in the process. However, we recommend that you speak with an attorney as soon as you think you may want to file for divorce. Divorce is a significant life event, and, believe it or not, many people decide to reconcile with their spouse once they begin working through the questions concerning custody of their children and the division of marital assets.

If you are committed to filing for divorce, engaging an attorney at the very outset can help the process go as smoothly as possible. They may also be able to negotiate with your spouse so that you can file for an “uncontested” divorce, which can save you a considerable amount of time, money, and stress.

Some of Our Most Common Family Law Questions Answered

Am I required to hire a family lawyer if I am getting divorced?

The short answer to this question is no – you are not legally required to hire a lawyer. That said, an experienced family lawyer can help you navigate the legal system and make sure your present and future interests are protected, as well as those of your children.

Can I get sole custody of the children?

The general rule is that custody arrangements must be in the best interests of the children. As a result, the courts want your children to have relationships with both parents. It is fairly rare for the court to award one parent sole custody of the children unless the court believes it is in their best interest. If you believe the other parent to be unfit, you should consult with a family attorney to discuss your options.

What do I do if I can’t afford to pay child support or if I need to change the custody agreement?

Your arrangements regarding child support and custody are orders of the court. That means that you could face serious legal consequences if you don’t follow them to the letter. If you find yourself unable to pay child support or you need to change the custody agreement (also known as the parenting plan), the best thing you can do is speak with a family lawyer to discuss what you can do.

I live in the Seattle area – where do I file my case?

You and your spouse can agree to file for divorce in any county in Washington State. Should you choose to file in the Seattle area, the King County Court handles family law matters for the residents of Seattle, including divorces and legal separations, child custody matters, division of property, and child and spousal support issues. There are two King County courthouses, one in Seattle and one in Kent. Depending on what part of the county you reside in, you will need to designate which courthouse your case should be filed with. Keep in mind that the case designation and even the county location need only match your address in the event of a contested case.

What do I do if my co-parent is in violation of the custody agreement?

On an initial note, you should not hesitate to contact the authorities if you believe your child is in imminent danger of physical harm. Thankfully, most custody issues are not emergency situations. Some of the common violations include failing the following:

Failure to follow the visitation schedule such as routinely showing up late for pick up or drop off, canceling visitations without adequate notice, or unreasonably interfering with your time with the child.
Failure to communicate on important matters such as educational issues or health concerns.
Failure to provide adequate care such as food, clothing, or living arrangements.

It is important to emphasize that your custody agreement will determine whether or not a violation has occurred. As a result, we recommend that you consult with a family lawyer to discuss whether you are facing an actionable violation.

If your co-parent has violated the custody agreement, you may have to return to court to have a judge or court commissioner enforce the existing custody order. This may entail finding your co-parent in contempt of court, which may involve the imposition of fines, mandatory parenting classes, or ongoing supervision by the court. Your lawyer can advocate for you to help ensure that future violations do not occur.

What do I do if I need to change my custody agreement?

You can file for a child custody modification with the King County Family Court, requesting that they allow you to modify your existing custody order. The process will depend upon whether your modification is considered major or minor under the law. Generally speaking, the process will be much easier and less time-consuming if both parents agree to the modification before filing the petition.

What happens in a Washington paternity claim?

If you have a child with someone you are not married to, then you may need a paternity action to legally establish the identity of the father of the child. You may be able to get help with this process through the county prosecutor’s office, or you may file your own action with the court.

A DNA test may be required to establish whether the presumed father is the actual father of the child. DNA tests do not give absolute answers but identify the odds of paternity.

If an acknowledgment of paternity has been signed by both parents and filed with the state, then it may not be necessary to establish the father of the child, but a parentage action may still be needed to obtain a parenting plan and order of child support.

If you have any questions as to what steps need to be taken with your paternity action, it’s better to speak with a Seattle family law attorney in order to prevent any mistakes from occurring.

Can a Seattle family attorney help me enforce child support?

Most child support is paid through the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Child Support.

By default, the state generally collects child support through wage garnishment. If the paying parent is in arrears, the state can seize bank accounts, intercept tax refunds, and suspend licenses. If a parent is willfully avoiding paying support, the state can even hold them in contempt of court and jail them.

If you are having trouble collecting child support, you may want to contact your local support enforcement office to see what can be done. However, you may also want to consider contacting a family law attorney to see what steps you can take through private enforcement as well.

Contact a Seattle Family Lawyer at Our Firm Today

As you navigate your divorce, select the ideal family attorneys who will strive to come to the best resolution for your family. Call us today at 206-784-3049 or complete our contact form to schedule a no-obligation consultation.