When ending a marriage, you must pay attention to every detail. That’s hard to do when you are in an emotionally vulnerable state. A Battle Ground family lawyer from Dellino Family Law can make your situation a little easier. Since 2013, we have handled the details of divorces and supported clients as they legally dissolve their marriages.
Our team has decades of collective experience. We put that knowledge and skill into developing parenting plans, support agreements, and final divorce judgments that recognize our clients’ rights and protect their financial situations. If your marriage is ending, a divorce lawyer in Battle Ground can help.
The Divorce Process in Washington State
Some divorces are straightforward, and others are more complicated. No matter your situation, when you are filing for divorce in Washington, a step-by-step guide can help you understand and navigate the process as efficiently as possible.
Partnering with a Battle Ground divorce attorney takes the legal load off you and brings important protection. We can handle the paperwork involved in filing for divorce and make sure your partner is served with the papers. Your spouse has 20 days to respond to your divorce petition.
Following that, there will likely be a hearing where the court issues temporary orders regarding spousal and/or child support and child custody matters. If your spouse is dangerous, we can help secure restraining or protection orders. Then, we will work to develop a divorce agreement through negotiation and mediation. If necessary, we will represent your interests at trial.
A Divorce Attorney in Battle Ground Can Fight for Fair Division of Property
Some marriages are easier to dissolve than others. The spouses may not have children. They agree to the financial terms. Perhaps they had a prenuptial agreement in place. In these simpler situations, the court can issue a divorce decree in 90 days.
Many divorces are more complicated. The spouses may not agree on who gets what after a divorce. The team at Dellino Family Law can work to protect you. We will fight for a fair division of property that maintains your financial position. Washington is a community property state, so all debts and assets acquired during the marriage are subject to division upon divorce.
The court pursues equity when dividing this property. This means parties may not get equal shares of The court’s distribution is designed to keep both parties in similar financial circumstances and able to live the lifestyle they enjoyed during the marriage.
Demanding Transparency
Property division is only fair if both parties present an accurate picture of their own financial situations. A divorce attorney in Battle Ground will demand transparency from your spouse. We can also work with financial experts to ensure your spouse is not hiding assets or otherwise creating a false impression.
How Spousal Support Works in Washington Divorces
You may need and deserve spousal maintenance after a divorce. On the other hand, your spouse may be making the request of you. Spousal maintenance is financial support one spouse must continue to pay the other after the marriage ends.
The court decides the amount and duration of spousal support. Not all divorces warrant these payments. Per the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 26.09.090, a variety of factors influence the court’s decision. They include:
- Each party’s financial circumstances
- The time needed for the requester to obtain the training needed to secure employment allowing for financial independence
- The age and physical and mental health of the requester
- The length of the marriage
- The standard of living established during the marriage
We can help you present a petition for spousal maintenance or mount a defense against unfair payment requests.
Get the Best Parenting Agreement for Your Family
Divorce changes families. A Battle Ground divorce attorney can work to develop a parenting plan that honors your role in your children’s lives, despite those changes. We want your relationship with your child to continue to thrive.
Parenting agreements determine matters of physical and legal custody. Physical custody concerns how much time a child spends with each parent. Legal custody addresses how much say each parent has in making important decisions for the child, such as those relating to education, health, and religion.
Some of the most common custody schedules give parents equal living time with the kids. They may split the week or alternate weeks. Others give one parent primary physical custody while both parents share legal custody. Our goal is to find the schedule that meets your family’s specific needs.
When Divorce Agreements Need Adjustment
Our team can help you through your divorce and if issues arise after its finalization. For example, as time passes, situations change for both parents and children. You may want to petition to change a parenting plan/custody schedule. An experienced attorney can help you prepare and file that petition.
The same applies if you wish to modify child support or spousal maintenance. Neither party can make these changes on their own. Failing to pay court-ordered support can lead to serious penalties. Our team can present your need for a change to the court, or help you fight against those changes.
You may feel the terms of your divorce are unfair. We can review your case and determine if you have grounds to appeal a divorce judgment. You may have a case if the decree demonstrates incorrect application of divorce laws, failure to follow court procedures, problems with evidence, or judicial errors. Then, our team can fight to have your divorce agreement adjusted.
We Handle Your Family Matters With Great Care
The insightful, compassionate attorneys at Dellino Family Law are to support you through your divorce. We’ll take care of all legal details and work to develop a fair agreement that upholds your rights.
Connect with a Battle Ground divorce lawyer to discuss your situation and get the effective representation you need. We care about your family and want the best for your future.
