Divorce
Divorce is the process by which you divide your property and debts, set support and address a parenting plan for your minor children (if you have any). Spokane Divorce Attorneys can help with all aspects of a divorce and have tips for how to best address your particular needs.
Legal Separation
In Washington, parties can opt for a legal separation in lieu of a divorce. A legal separation can accomplish everything a divorce offers, including dividing property and debts, setting support, and addressing a parenting plan for your children. The biggest difference is that upon the completion of a legal separation, the parties will not be able to get remarried given that their marriage will not be completely dissolved. Parties can convert a legal separation into a divorce after meeting the statutory requirements.
Agreed Divorce
If parties have agreed how to resolve their divorce, including how to divide their assets and debts, whether support is necessary and what type of parenting schedule they would like to follow if they have minor children, they can opt for an agreed or uncontested divorce. An attorney at Spokane Divorce Attorneys can prepare all of your agreed divorce paperwork, get it filed and finalized after the waiting period has expired. This process can be much less time consuming, more cost effective and helps maintain a civil relationship between the parties.
Property Division
In a divorce or legal separation, the parties must address how their property and debts will be divided. An experienced attorney at Spokane Divorce Attorneys can help ensure that you are receiving your fair share of assets and that all aspects of property division are completed to avoid issues in the future.
Asset Protection
In a divorce, legal separation or in advance of a marriage, there may be strategies to protect your real property, personal property, vehicles, financial accounts and retirement accounts or pensions. Spokane Divorce Attorneys can assist in identifying assets subject to division in a divorce or legal separation and how best to address them.
Alimony/Spousal Support
Alimony, more commonly known in Washington as spousal support or spousal maintenance, is money paid from one spouse to another to provide financial assistance during or following a divorce or legal separation. Spousal support is typically ordered in a situation where one spouse has a need for financial assistance and the other party has the ability to provide financial support. Washington does not currently have a set calculation for determining alimony or spousal support. Spokane Divorce Attorneys can explain the factors a court considers when determining whether or not spousal support is necessary and how long it may continue.
Custody
Washington state addresses custody of children through the entry of a parenting plan. While one parent may be named the custodial parent, both parents may still have joint decision making and significant parenting time. Spokane Divorce Attorneys can assist in explaining the intricacies of custody, decision making, and parenting time and can assist you in getting a parenting plan that addresses all of these for you and your children.
Parenting Plans
Having a parenting plan that fits your children's needs can be one of the most important aspects of family law. No two families are the same so parenting plans must be crafted to ensure they appropriately address your children's needs while ensuring they work for both parents. Spokane Divorce Attorneys are experienced in drafting parenting plans to suit your needs or can assist in presenting evidence to the Court in order to get the best parenting plan for you and your children.
Child Support
When the parents of a child are not together, the court will expect for both parents to contribute to the financial support of their children. Washington State requires that a child support calculation be completed and then allows the parties to consider various factors to determine if the standard calculation should be followed or if the parties should increase or reduce the amount ordered to be paid from one parent to the other. Spokane Divorce Attorneys can complete child support calculations and can provide advice regarding all financial aspects of parenting.
Modification of Parenting Plans
Washington allows for parenting plans to be modified in certain circumstances, detailed in Washington statutes. Spokane Divorce Attorneys can assist in determining if your parenting plan can be modified and can assist in the modification process from start to finish.
Modification of Child Support
Washington statutes permit child support orders to be modified, based on a number of factors including if the parties have a change of incomes since the previous order was entered. Spokane Divorce Attorneys can assist in calculating new support and can assist in the process of requesting that a support order be modified.
Parental Relocation
Often parents of minor children would like to relocate. Washington has requirements regarding the amount of notice a parent must provide the other parent (or anyone with a legal right to spend time with the child) if they intend to relocate with a minor child. Washington courts can permit and restrict relocations of a child so it is very important to ensure that the processes are being properly followed. Spokane Divorce Attorneys are experienced in addressing relocations and can assist in requesting or preventing a relocation of a child.
Paternity
In Washington, if the parents of a child are not married or in a registered domestic partnership, they may need to take steps to have a parent established as a legal parent. Parentage can be determined in a number of ways, but there are timelines provided by Washington statute so it is important to consult with a qualified attorney who can assist in ensuring all documents are timely filed. Spokane Divorce Attorneys can assist in the paternity process, including establishing a parenting plan and child support, if needed.
Minor Guardianship
Washington has a Uniform Guardianship Act that allows a third party (non parent) to request to be appointed to make decisions and care for a minor. Spokane Divorce Attorneys can assist in determining if you meet the requirements and can assist in filing and completing the court process.
Adult Guardianship
A guardianship is a legal arrangement where a court appoints someone to make decisions and take actions for someone else. The guardian has a legal duty to that person. Spokane Divorce Attorneys can assist in the guardianship process.