Everett Divorce and Family Law
Divorce and Family Law in Everett, Washington
Going through a divorce is far from easy. In fact, it is often one of the most emotionally devastating experiences a person faces throughout their lifetime. If you’re considering a divorce or if you’ve been served with divorce papers, you undoubtedly have a lot on your mind.
Marriages fail for a variety of reasons. Sometimes one partner violates their marital oath in regard to fidelity. Sometimes two people fade apart and end up with irreconcilable differences. In some cases, emotional and physical abuse cause one person to leave a marriage. Issues may also arise in regard to children, and a difference of opinion in how they should be raised.
Family law issues sometimes arise with people that aren’t legally married. For example, questions about paternity may arise when a mother seeks child support from an alleged father.
What all of these situations have in common is that they fall under the jurisdiction of the Washington State Family Court. In Everett, family law matters are handled by the Snohomish County Superior Court.
When it comes to understanding state law, most people find themselves quickly overwhelmed. This is understandable because the law is voluminous, especially Washington State family law. If you’re facing a legal matter related to family law, what can you do to ensure your legal rights are protected?
First and foremost, you should talk to a qualified Everett family law lawyer about your situation. When you contact us, we can schedule a free consultation, so that you can get the answers you so desperately need. With more than 50 years of collective experience, our Everett divorce law firm can help you figure out a course of action designed to help you navigate the complexities of the divorce process, and when dealing with other family law matters.
Questions that many people have about divorce
You undoubtedly have questions about divorce and family law. The purpose of this page is to answer some of your questions and point you toward resources that may help.
Unfortunately, around fifty percent of marriages in Washington State end in divorce. However, no two cases are ever the same. Your situation is unique and requires knowledgeable and experienced attention from a qualified Everett family law attorney.
You may be asking yourself:
- How long will it take to finalize my divorce?
- How much does a divorce cost?
- Will I have to pay alimony or will I receive it?
- Who gets custody of the kids?
- Will I have to go to family law court?
Some questions unrelated to divorce include:
- Can I move to another state with my child if I have custody?
- Is it possible to require a sexual partner to get a DNA test?
- How do I go about modifying a parenting plan?
- Can the level of spousal support be changed?
- How can I get a restraining order against an abusive ex-partner?
You likely have even more questions you would like answered, and it’s likely you want them answered by a respected Everett divorce attorney known for their strength and self-confidence.
A word of caution: There is a lot of information on the internet regarding child support, alimony, and other family law legal matters but much of it is misleading or wrong. Only a professional Washington State family law lawyer can offer reliable legal advice in the State of Washington.
The same is often true of well-meaning family members and friends. If you want reliable legal advice on any and all family law matters in Washington State, contact us today.
Some legal information about family law and divorce to get you started
You should gather some information about family law before contacting our law office and speaking with an Everett divorce attorney free of charge. Statute RCW 26.09.002 of the Alaska State Legislature is the first statute that deals with family law issues. This statute states:
Policy.
Parents have the responsibility to make decisions and perform other parental functions necessary for the care and growth of their minor children. In any proceeding between parents under this chapter, the best interests of the child shall be the standard by which the court determines and allocates the parties’ parental responsibilities.
The state recognizes the fundamental importance of the parent-child relationship to the welfare of the child, and that the relationship between the child and each parent should be fostered unless inconsistent with the child’s best interests. Residential time and financial support are equally important components of parenting arrangements.
The best interests of the child are served by a parenting arrangement that best maintains a child’s emotional growth, health and stability, and physical care. Further, the best interest of the child is ordinarily served when the existing pattern of interaction between a parent and child is altered only to the extent necessitated by the changed relationship of the parents or as required to protect the child from physical, mental, or emotional harm.
This underscores how Washington State law prioritizes the needs of children during divorce proceedings. Indeed, “the needs of the child” are paramount.
If children are involved in your divorce, it makes good sense to work with an attorney capable of helping you resolve your case with their best interests in mind.
If you don’t have children, there are still many issues to consider, including:
- Property division
- Alimony (Spousal support)
- Temporary support
- Restraining orders (if necessary)
At the Law Offices of Jason S. Newcombe, you are our first priority. When you contact our law office, we swiftly address your needs by scheduling a personal consultation with no financial obligation. Choosing a divorce attorney in Everett that you can implicitly trust is vitally important, so our goal is to simply answer your questions without any pressure.
If you ultimately decide to work with one of our experienced WA State family law attorneys, we will immediately help you formulate a plan designed to resolve your case as quickly and favorably as possible. Our track record is proven, and you will quickly understand why.
Some family law issues explained
Our website is full of information about family law but what follows is an overview of some broad issues that we routinely handle for clients just like you.
Uncontested Divorces – If you and your ex-partner agree on the terms of your divorce, this option is likely available to you. If you’re hoping to save money and/or keep things simple, you should really consider this option. We handle the paperwork to make the process seamless.
Child Custody and Support – These two topics are often more emotionally charged than other aspects of a divorce. The law outlines how these situations are resolved but every case is unique.
Modifying Support – After a divorce, one party (or both) may seek to modify a parenting plan, child support, custody, or even spousal maintenance (alimony). These are complex situations that require help from a qualified lawyer.
Child Relocation – If one parent wants to move out of state with the child, there are many things to consider. Whether you’re considering this action or your spouse wants to relocate, you should contact us immediately.
Alimony – Sometimes, one party has to make monthly payments to their ex-partner when the divorce is finalized. It’s important to understand how a judge determines alimony payments so you can budget accordingly.
Restraining and Protection Orders – These are two options available to those who have been abused by a partner or if children fell victim to abuse. We can help you file these petitions with the court so you and/or your child are protected.
Prenuptial Agreements – There are a lot of myths about these agreements. The court requires them to be fair, and it’s vital they be constructed in such a way that the court acknowledges the agreement if the marriage fails.
Property Division – Nobody likes it when their possessions are suddenly gone. Unfortunately, the end of a marriage often means losing material possession and valuable assets. If you have a large number of assets, property division becomes even more challenging. If you suspect a spouse is hiding assets to prevent them from being divided by the court, we can help you uncover them, thus protecting your legal rights.
Military Divorce – If you’re in the military, there are federal laws that also may pertain to your family law matter. Our attorneys have worked with countless active-duty servicemen and women, and we can help you.
Temporary Support – There is a period of time between filing for divorce and finalizing a divorce. During this time, you may need temporary support for you and/or your child. The court can require temporary support and we can help you take the next step.
Contact us today and speak with a qualified Everett family law attorney
If you have questions about your divorce or family law matter, answers are a phone call away. Take advantage of our free consultation offer today. When you work with our legal team, you have half a century of experience working to protect your interests. You will quickly discover that your attorney will do everything they can to resolve your case favorably.
We can’t promise that your Washington State divorce lawyer will always tell you what you want to hear, but they will tell you what you need to hear, and that is what building trust is all about.
