Divorce is overwhelming, even when everyone agrees to move on separately. Not only are there incredible emotions to manage, but there are also numerous financial and legal decisions to make.
At Dellino Family Law, our Spokane Valley family lawyer will prioritize you throughout the process. Your divorce lawyer in Spokane Valley will provide exceptional support and guidance to you every step of the way. We have over 180 years of combined experience.
The Benefits of a Divorce Lawyer in Spokane Valley
Utilizing a divorce lawyer empowers you. Our attorneys work closely with you to understand your concerns, needs, and legal obligations. Even in situations where decisions are mutual, having your own attorney who works solely for your benefit is critical.
When you choose our legal team, you gain several core benefits:
- Our experience means we know how to navigate even the biggest obstacles. There will be decisions that must be made that can cause disputes. You can rely on us to provide you with support and guidance in navigating those with confidence.
- Overcoming hostile, high-conflict divorce matters is a service we provide. That may include the seeking of protection orders and handling intense negotiations. Our 180 years of combined legal experience in these matters make the difference.
- You need to know all of your options. We provide you with information and resources throughout the divorce process, educating you on legal strategies that may support a better outcome for your future.
Your lawyer is your advocate. We minimize disputes, create legal strategies for even the most challenging legal matters, and work with you to create a plan for your future. Set up a time to speak with us to learn about your options.
Where to Start with the Divorce Process
Washington divorce law can be confusing, and it is easy to become overwhelmed with the decisions. We recommend speaking with our team as a first step toward getting answers to your initial questions within the Washington State Courts.
We also offer a Family Law Handbook designed to address many of the concerns associated with the process. Here is what you can expect from the divorce process:
- Filing a petition. This is where the divorce process starts. You will file, or you will respond to divorce papers filed by your spouse. A response to that petition is the second component of the process.
- A waiting period must take place. After the petition and response are submitted, you will need to wait. This is typically a 90-day cooling-off period.
- We create a plan. We work with you and your spouse’s attorney to navigate decisions. This includes the equitable distribution of assets and debts and, if you have children, the creation of a parenting plan that reflects both parties’ interests as much as possible. Decisions about alimony, business divisions, and other interests are all made.
- We negotiate an outcome. There are many decisions to make, and you both may not agree on all of them right away. We will work to negotiate the best possible outcome for you.
- We represent you throughout the legal process. If there are decisions that cannot be made, we represent you in divorce court. Expect us to be at your side, fighting for the best possible outcome.
In most cases, the best decisions are those that you both can come to an agreement on, rather than allowing a judge who may not understand your needs or family structure to make decisions.
We mediate cases whenever possible to achieve a positive outcome for you. Your lawyer from Dellino Family Law is your advocate fully. We never encourage you to take concessions that set you up for future concerns.
What to Expect from Our Divorce Attorney in Spokane Valley
Once you schedule time to speak with us, get to know our team, and decide to work with us, we begin working on your case. That means gathering as much information as possible and creating objectives for every facet of your case.
Some of the most important decisions you need to make that we can facilitate include:
- Child custody matters, including the creation of a parenting plan that works for all parties
- High-conflict divorces, including those related to domestic violence claims
- Spousal maintenance or alimony, if applicable in your situation
- Division of investments and retirement plans or pensions
- Division of assets, including homes and other valuables
- Fair division of debts as appropriate for the situation
- Management of jointly shared businesses
Washington state divorce laws focus on an equitable division or distribution of assets. That means that the court divides your assets and debts based on what is just, and that is not often 50/50. As a result, any marital property needs careful consideration to determine what is fair but not necessarily even.
Factors that Play a Role in Your Case
As noted, when possible, it is best for decisions to be made outside of court, where you both reach an agreement that works for both parties. If the court must make decisions for you, it will use a wide range of factors to determine how asset division should happen. This includes:
- Marriage length
- Economic conditions of both parties, including your individual financial situations
- Each person’s earning capacity is based on education and work history
- Future employment prospects for both parties
- Custody of the children and who will have primary custody
With so many factors to consider, it is always necessary to work with a lawyer who has ample experience negotiating complex matters. In our area, this often means handling complex divorces.
Set Up a Consultation with Our Spokane Valley Divorce Attorney
Invest the time in a consultation with your Spokane Valley divorce lawyer now. Let us review the factors applicable to your case and build a strategy that aligns with your objectives.
Request a consultation with the compassionate and experienced team at Dellino Family Law today.