how to hire a divorce attorney in seattle

by Litzy Glover 8 min read

Hire A Seattle Attorney Who Knows The Complexity Of A Divorce Case If you have been served with divorce papers, contact an attorney immediately. Often a motion for temporary orders and/or a temporary restraining order will be included in the service documents.

Full Answer

Why hire a Seattle divorce attorney?

Hiring a Seattle divorce attorney. When you hire a divorce lawyer, you need a professional who has experience and expertise. You don’t want to trust the management of this process to just anyone. Our divorce attorneys review your paperwork and then file it correctly to ensure an expedient process. We’ll also make sure your rights are ...

What does a divorce lawyer do?

 · Deciding to end a marriage is a huge choice, and knowing whether or not to hire a divorce lawyer can have a massive impact on the outcome. 1200 Westlake Ave N. #700 Seattle, WA 98109. 1-800-DIVORCE. 1-800-DIVORCE or (206) 448-1010. ... Seattle, WA 98109 (206) 448-1010 1-800-DIVORCE.

Is it wise for an attorney to represent herself in divorce?

Low-Cost Consultations with Top Seattle Divorce Lawyers Since your circumstances are unique, we offer a low-cost consultation to help you better understand your options. Contact us to schedule a time to come in to talk about your divorce situation and how we might be able to help you. 206-784-3049 Online Form Meet Our Attorneys Nathan Cliber

Why choose Mike Fancher at Seattle divorce services?

 · Consider asking a friend or family member along to take notes and give you feedback after any meetings. Hiring the right divorce attorney or mediator is no easy task. But remember: you owe it to yourself to find the right representation. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions—just make sure they’re the right ones.

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How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Seattle?

In Washington state, the cost of a divorce lawyer is between $250 and $285 per hour. Average divorce attorney prices are $10,500 to $12,000 for the whole marriage dissolution, but the mutual divorce cost will be significantly lower, averaging at around $5,000.

How do I find a lawyer in Seattle?

Finding a LawyerNorthwest Justice Project. nwjustice.org. (206) 464-1519.Neighborhood Legal Clinics. www.kcba.org/pbs/NLC.aspx. ... Lawyer Referral Service. www.kcba.org/For-the-Public/Hire-a-Lawyer. ... Legal Voice (formerly Northwest Women's Law Center) www.legalvoice.org. ... Northwest Justice Project. nwjustice.org.

What are the divorce laws in Washington state?

Washington is a 50/50 divorce state. This means that almost all property, assets, and debts acquired during a marriage are subject to division in a divorce—regardless of who secured them. However, it does not mean that everything will be divided in half between spouses.

How much does a family lawyer cost in Washington state?

In Washington State, the average minimum rate was $250 per hour, while the average maximum was $285 per hour. That's not too far off the national average rates for family lawyers (although the average maximum for Washington is somewhat lower than the comparable national figure).

How many lawyers are there in Seattle?

Additionally, more than 4,710 lawyers are licensed to practice in Seattle, many belonging to both the King County Bar Association and the Washington State Bar Association.

Who is the Seattle city attorney?

Seattle City AttorneyCity Attorney of SeattleIncumbent Ann Davison since January 1, 2022Term length4 yearsDeputyScott LindsayWebsitehttp://www.seattle.gov/law/1 more row

Is WA A 50/50 custody State?

Instead, Washington State courts are required to make child custody determinations based on the best interest of the child. This standard may result in the court ordering a 50/50 parenting plan, but not necessarily.

Does it matter who files for divorce first in Washington State?

If you are expecting a relatively simple and low-conflict divorce, it probably does not matter whether you or your spouse initially file for divorce. However, if you believe that your divorce may involve a contentious court case or custody battle, it could be slightly advantageous to file for divorce.

Does a husband have to support his wife during separation?

As for spousal support, common-law couples are entitled to spousal support after having lived together for three years, or if they have a child together, as long as the relationship was of some permanence. Married spouses are presumed to be immediately entitled to spousal support, if one spouse has the need for it.

How long do you have to be separated before divorce in Washington State?

a 6 monthIf a legal separation is granted, there is then a 6 month waiting period before it can be potentially converted to a Decree of Dissolution, which can be done by filing a motion with the court.

How long does it take to get a divorce in Washington State?

Technically, a divorce in Washington State can be finalized 90 days after the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is filed and is signed by both spouses (or is signed by one spouse and served to the other spouse). However, many divorces take longer than 90 days to finalize due to a number of different factors.

At what age can a child decide custody in Washington state?

According to the Washington statutes governing custody law, there is no established age younger than 18 in which a child can make a unilateral decision about which parent they want to live with.

Can you get divorced with child custody?

Child custody issues frequently cause problems in divorce. You and your spouse must resolve these issues. Again, it’s possible to come to an arrangement without outside help, but when kids come into play, things often get heated and messy.

Can DIY divorces be cheaper?

While the DIY methods result in a quicker, cheaper divorce, they often also lead to issues down the road. Custody arrangements, parenting plans, and settlements become complicated. If you handle them yourself, unless you have a legal background, it’s all too easy to sign something you don’t fully understand.

Why do Seattle divorce lawyers work?

We work to de-escalate conflict rather than create it, because unneeded legal brawling accomplishes little while costing a great deal. As experienced Seattle divorce attorneys, we work to efficiently negotiate a positive result for you. In court, we prefer to focus on solutions rather than personal attacks.

How can creativity help in divorce?

Creativity can help achieve favorable divorce outcomes , even for the most complicated divorces. Skillful and compassionate family law negotiation creates better and more cost-effective results. Healthy family restructuring starts with preserving relationships whenever possible. Read Our Guide to Divorce and Your Child.

What is collaborative divorce?

Collaborative divorce is a nonadversarial way for divorce attorneys to work together to help their respective clients resolve their divorce issues. In a collaborative process, we seek to help the parties handle their conflict without causing further damage to the relationship. Find out more ».

What is litigation in law?

Litigation. Litigation refers to resolving matters through the courts and negotiating settlements based on what a court is likely to do. An important part of the process is helping you define your goals and helping plan the process for working toward those goals. Find out more ».

What is mediation in court?

Mediation is a process in which opposing parties attempt to reach an agreement outside of court with the help of a neutral third-party facilitator. This can be a good option for couples who have less need for professional advice in their negotiations.#N#Find out more »

What is the best professional for divorce?

Of course, we believe the best professional suited for this role is a divorce coach because they can teach you about divorce (like how to hire a divorce lawyer) but above all, how to get through divorce the healthiest way. A divorce coach can help you overcome the emotional challenges as well as the practical ones, and by doing so, they help you save money and time. Mistakes happen, but with a divorce coach, the chance of those mistakes occurring is significantly reduced.

How to learn about divorce laws?

Divorce laws can change quite a bit once you cross state lines, so the best place to start your research is a search engine like Google. Type in keywords like “divorce laws in [your state]” to learn how getting a divorce will affect your life. Spend time learning about different divorce models . Decide whether you’ll work with a mediator or an attorney, for instance. Ask yourself which model is right for you, your spouse, and your circumstances.

What is a good settlement?

A good settlement is one in which neither client walks away entirely happy. Begin the process of managing your expectations, realizing what’s truly nonnegotiable, and understanding what all these decisions mean for setting up your next, better chapter of your life.

What does it mean to ask yourself if there's chemistry between you and any potential hire?

Ask yourself if there’s chemistry between you and any potential hire (this means understanding your issues and values —making sure you feel heard

Is divorce a financial or legal issue?

Again, divorce is not simply a legal or financial issue but a life-changing event that throws even your sense of identity off balance. It’s crucial to seek guidance from someone who can break everything down for you without losing focus of the big picture. Someone who will listen when you tell them where you want to be, and then point you in the right direction. But who do you turn to for this kind of guidance? Who is going to give you vetted and appropriate referrals based on your actual situation?

What do women worry about when divorced?

Let’s face it—when it comes to divorce, especially when children are involved, many women are most concerned about two things: money and custody. What custody decisions will I have to make? How will I support myself? How will I pay the bills, put food on the table, and be a good mom all at the same time? All on my own, no less? That’s where a financial advisor comes in. Or even better, a certified divorce financial analyst who will explain exactly what will happen to your money, assets, and—you guessed it—debt.

Is divorce a simple process?

Divorce isn’t as simple as understanding your rights. Divorce is a line drawn in the sand, and once you pass it, many aspects of your life that go beyond your marriage will change. So yes, learn all about your rights. Find out what you are entitled to. But then drill down further.

What do attorneys contribute to the legal advice section?

The attorney must contribute valuable articles about their practice area to share with our readers in the Legal Advice section.

What is involved in divorce with children?

There are children involved in the marriage. Divorcing with children involves a lot of provisions, such as which parent the child will primarily reside with; a parenting schedule that covers the school year, summer vacation, and holidays; and child support, along with other considerations.

Is Attorney at Law a local authority in Seattle?

As a part of Attorney at Law Magazine 's Local Legal Authorities, we select one attorney to be featured as the Divorce Attorney Local Legal Authority. As of today, Attorney at Law Magazine has not made a selection for the go-to lawyer for Divorce in Seattle. Once we've made a selection, he or she will be listed here as the Local Legal Authority in Seattle Divorce.

Is it easier to get married or divorce?

From a legal standpoint, getting married is often far easier than getting divorced. Between ensuring that there is an equitable division of property, determining parenting time, dividing retirement accounts, and other formalities, the process of divorce can be both expensive and time-consuming. While many people can, and do, undertake this process without a divorce attorney in Seattle, there are a number of specific items involved that can use an attorney's legal experience.

What is a detailed profile of a law firm?

Detailed law firm profiles have information like the firm's area of law, office location, office hours, and payment options. Attorney profiles include the biography, education and training, and client recommendations of an attorney to help you decide who to hire.

Is it a good idea to research your lawyer before hiring?

It is always a good idea to research your lawyer prior to hiring. Every state has a disciplinary organization that monitors attorneys, their licenses, and consumer complaints. By researching lawyer discipline you can:

What is a divorce lawyer in Seattle?

Divorce Litigation Partners has offered dedicated divorce attorneys in Seattle since 1995. The firm helps with all aspects of the divorce process. Its firm has a history of handling dissolution of marriage issues, including standard matters such as property division and spousal support to issues involving minor children, including child support, child custody, visitation, and parenting plans. Managing partner Scott Semrau has more than 20 years of experience in divorce law, and he is AV-rated with Martindale-Hubbell and a 2019 recipient of the Super Lawyer Award.

How many variables are there in divorce lawyers in Seattle?

Our goal is to connect people with the best local experts. We scored Seattle Divorce Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

What is a divorce litigation partner?

Divorce Litigation Partners is a law firm operating in Seattle. It gives voice to individuals who are going through a divorce regarding different issues such as property division, child custody, and alimony and maintenance. The firm also handles child support and restraining order cases. It also partners with various non-profit organizations to deliver legal services, including the Low Income Housing Institute. Its managing partner, Scott Semrau, has 20 years of legal experience and has previously served as a public defender.

What is Eagle Law Offices?

The firm has decades of experience handling divorce and other family law matters throughout the local area, including Bainbridge Island, Federal Way, Maple Valley, and Tacoma. In addition to standard divorce representation and advice, the firm has a history of LGBT family law issues and sensitive matters such as protection orders and domestic violence issues. The practice also offers criminal law counsel and representation and estate planning services.

Where is Yale Lewis Law located?

Yale Lewis Law. Located in Seattle and founded in 2003, Yale Lewis Law has more than 16 years of experience handling divorce matters for local clients. The firm offers traditional divorce and mediated actions for couples who wish to remain cordial and avoid the normal courtroom procedures.

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