Divorce representation
for all of Washington.

Divorce — legally called dissolution of marriage in Washington — can feel overwhelming when you're in the middle of it. A few things about Washington law are worth understanding up front, because they shape almost every decision you'll make.

Washington is a no-fault state, so you don't have to prove anyone did anything wrong. It's also a community property state, which affects how your assets and debts are divided. And every divorce here is subject to a mandatory 90-day waiting period. Below is the plain-language version of what each of those means for you.

The single biggest factor in how long your divorce takes — and what it costs — is whether it's uncontested or contested.

Uncontested divorce

An uncontested divorce means you and your spouse agree on the key terms: how to divide property and debt, parenting arrangements for any children, and support. These cases are usually resolved largely through paperwork, often without a contested court hearing, and can be finalized shortly after the 90-day waiting period. I offer flat-fee packages for uncontested divorces so you know the full cost upfront.

Contested divorce

A contested divorce is one where you and your spouse don't yet agree — about property, parenting, support, or all of the above. These matters may involve negotiation, mediation, temporary orders, or litigation, and they take longer. I represent clients through contested divorces at a straightforward hourly rate, and I'll always tell you honestly what I think your realistic options and outcomes are.

Many divorces start out looking contested and settle along the way. Part of my job is to help you get to a fair resolution without spending more — in money or stress — than the situation calls for.

Because Washington is a community property state, most of what you and your spouse acquired during the marriage — income, homes, retirement contributions, vehicles, and debts — is considered community property and is subject to division.

Property you owned before the marriage, or that you received individually by gift or inheritance, is generally treated as separate property and usually stays with the spouse who owns it. In practice, though, the lines blur — separate and community property often get mixed together over the years, and Washington courts have broad discretion to divide everything in a way that is just and equitable. That standard means fair, not automatically equal.

Complex assets — a house with equity, retirement accounts that require a QDRO, a business, or significant debt — deserve careful attention. If your situation involves any of these, we'll talk through how they're likely to be treated and what a fair division looks like for you.

In Washington, spousal support is called maintenance (many people know it as alimony). It is not automatic, and there's no fixed formula. A court weighs a range of factors, including:

the length of the marriage; each spouse's financial resources and ability to meet their needs independently; the time and training one spouse may need to find appropriate employment; the standard of living established during the marriage; and the age, physical condition, and financial obligations of the spouse seeking support.

Maintenance is often more likely — and longer — in longer marriages, or where one spouse stepped back from a career to support the family. Whether you might pay or receive maintenance, I can give you a realistic sense of what to expect in your circumstances.

Washington doesn't use the word "custody." Instead, divorcing parents create a parenting plan — a court order that sets out the residential schedule (where the children live and when), how major decisions will be made, and how you'll resolve disagreements down the road. The guiding standard is always the best interests of the child.

Child support is then calculated using Washington's statewide child support schedule, which is based primarily on both parents' incomes and the number of children. A clear, realistic parenting plan does more than satisfy the court — it reduces conflict and gives your children stability during a hard time. I help you build one that reflects your family's actual life, not a generic template.

I represent divorce clients remotely throughout Washington state, in every county's superior court. Most of my divorce clients come from the Puget Sound region — Seattle and Tacoma and the surrounding cities — but I'm licensed statewide and welcome clients wherever you are.