The legal decisions you make can have a profound impact on your future, especially when it comes to family law. Whether you are safeguarding your rights in a nontraditional family relationship or are working to untangle the complexities of a divorce, our family lawyer in Spokane is there to help you.
At Dellino Family Law, our team has over 180 years of combined experience and can be relied on to handle your matter with sensitivity and empathy. Talk to us about your family-related legal matter. We’ll tailor context-specific solutions to meet your needs.
Why Our Clients Choose Dellino Family Law
Apart from our experience as Spokane family attorneys, our empathetic professionalism, and a track record that often leads to referrals and heartfelt testimonials from past clients, we’re always eager to go the extra mile for you. Our clients benefit from:
- An approach that recognizes individuals and their unique circumstances
- Matching clients with attorneys who have the right experience and interpersonal style
- Open, timely, and clear communication that never leaves our clients in the dark
- Additional resources, learning opportunities, and support through regular events
- Our commitment to protecting the rights of the individual and the family
- Strong negotiation skills and our willingness to represent clients in court if necessary
- Access to a network of professionals who can assist as expert witnesses
Our core values reflect our commitment to ethical, client-focused representation. It’s a code we live and work by. Take the next step and move forward with us for guidance and advice. Let us become your trusted advisors, and benefit from the clarity we can bring to your situation.
Ways We Help Our Clients Navigate Family Law in Spokane
Every family is unique, and family law spans a wide range of situations. We will always strive to understand you and the unique nature of your relationships so we can recommend options that work for you and your family. Our clients come to us when they are seeking a:
- Spokane child custody lawyer: We help safeguard your parental rights and your children’s best interests.
- Spokane divorce lawyer: When couples part ways, they may face a bewildering legal process and a need for fair outcomes. We may provide the guidance you need during this stressful time.
- Spokane parenting plans lawyer: You want stability for your children. Several factors can influence parenting plans and post-divorce relationships. We want to help you get a fair outcome that benefits you and your children. We also handle parenting plan modifications when circumstances call for them.
- Spokane high–conflict/narcissist family lawyer: Sometimes, an emotionally charged family law case is complicated by intense conflict and manipulative tactics. We work to bring calm to the situation, so we can pursue a rational solution.
- Spokane spousal maintenance/alimony lawyer: Reaching a fair spousal maintenance agreement is not always a simple matter. Our understanding of family law helps us guide you through the process.
- Spokane legal separation lawyer: Relationships change, and you and your spouse may prefer a legal separation to a divorce. At the same time, you still need to settle questions like asset distribution and parenting. We can help.
- Spokane domestic violence lawyer: Whether you’re involved in a frightening situation or have been falsely accused of domestic violence, you may need legal help to resolve your situation. Our law firm supports you when you need it most.
- Spokane cohabitation agreement lawyer: Not every family partnership is formalized through marriage. Couples can protect their assets and provide for contingencies through a formal cohabitation agreement.
- Spokane LGBTQIA+ family lawyer: Family rights and responsibilities are as important in LGBTQIA+ families as in any other. We help you and your partner develop the legal framework for your relationship.
- Spokane nontraditional family lawyer: People may structure their family relationships in many different ways. Nevertheless, they should still consider protecting their family’s rights before the law. We can assist.
We work to understand your circumstances, analyze your legal status, and find solutions in complex situations. Your family, your future, and your rights matter to us. We understand that some situations are highly charged, and we are ready to approach your case with all the sensitivity it deserves.
Additional Support Is Available
We give every family law case we handle equal and fair attention. We put the time and hard work into addressing your unique needs and any limitations you face throughout the legal process.
Even if you are unsure what you need or want to talk privately with an attorney about what divorce and custody could look like for you, set up a time to speak with our team. We are here to offer the information, resources, and compassionate support you need.
Ways Our Spokane Family Lawyer May Help You
In some cases, families approach us to ensure their rights are recognized and that contingencies are accounted for. In others, relationships have changed, and parties have differing perspectives. Your family attorney in Spokane may help you with:
- Drafting agreements that assert your rights
- A case evaluation to help you understand your position
- Professional advice on your rights and options
- Evidence gathering to help you build a case
- A network of experts, such as custody evaluators, investigators, and forensic accountants
- Negotiation, advocacy, and litigation when necessary
We understand that few things can be more deeply personal than a family’s situation. When challenges arise, knowing your rights can be difficult. Rely on Dellino Family Law to treat your case confidentially and respectfully, offering you advice that’s based on our decades of experience in family law.
Settling Disputes in Family Law Cases
Because family law cases are so deeply personal, disputes are not uncommon, especially when families face challenging changes like separation or divorce. Your lawyer can work toward an agreement that both parties can accept. However, this is not always possible.
Your lawyer is familiar with alternative dispute resolution (ADR) approaches such as mediation through a neutral third party. Arbitration may be another route toward settling differences through a party with the legal authority to decide the matter. If solutions such as these fail, a judge may issue a final ruling.
In general, we prefer to guide out-of-court negotiations to achieve a faster, mutually agreed solution. Still, we are confident in our ability to argue a case in court if necessary. Although this limits our control over the outcome, our Spokane family lawyer may still work toward a positive resolution.
Why Hiring a Family Lawyer in Spokane Matters
Family law matters are complex, even if the solution seems straightforward. Even in non-disputed matters, it can be challenging for individuals to navigate the complexities of state law on their own. When you hire our family lawyer in Spokane, you benefit in several ways:
- Learn about your rights: Family law offers many solutions for common and unique concerns. Those options are not always obvious. Our attorney ensures you explore the law fully to make the best decisions for your family.
- Your privacy matters: Some family court matters are public record. Not all must take that path. When possible, our legal team will work to protect your privacy by seeking to reach an agreement outside of court.
- Keep the decisions in your hands: When you need to go to court to resolve matters, a judge who does not know your family has to make critical decisions. Even when communication seems impossible, we encourage you to speak to us before going down that route.
- You may need protection: We handle high-conflict and narcissistic family members who put you and your loved ones at risk. With our extensive experience in these areas, we can help you avoid the negative, often trauma-filled outcomes that can result from these cases.
- We are here for you fast: When you need a protection order or support for domestic violence matters, turn to our legal team. Our family lawyer in Spokane can work quickly to take your case and create solutions.
You are not alone when you make critical, life-changing decisions with our legal team. Dellino Family Law remains committed to our clients from day one and for years to come. Get to know us, and let us get to know you and your family’s unique needs. We are here to help.
Comprehensive Divorce and Custody Legal Support
Dellino Family Law focuses on giving clients a new path forward when life requires change. If divorce is on the horizon, let us help you navigate the entire process with confidence. Every case deserves unique attention to your individual needs and circumstances. We can help you with many of those needs, including:
- Separating lives: When you make the decision to divorce, you suddenly create the need to rebuild a separate life. Yet, every decision you make has a ripple effect. Our attorney will guide you in making decisions based on their impact on your overall financial and emotional well-being. This includes separating assets and debts, child custody, and alimony.
- Dissolution: As a no-fault divorce state, it is possible to move towards divorce if your marriage is irretrievably broken. The state has a 90-day waiting period from the date you file before the case can go through and a final decree is entered. We prepare you from the start with clear communication about your rights and needs.
- Mediation for solutions: When possible, we encourage you to reach an agreement with your ex on any factors you can. This keeps decision-making in your hands and protects your family from a judge’s assumptions about what is best. Our attorneys can negotiate terms and conditions on your behalf.
- Child custody and parenting plan: Washington believes that every parent should have time with their child, as long as it is in the child’s best interests. Our goal is to show the court what is in the child’s best interests and reach an agreement on physical and legal custody that works for your situation.
- Child support: The law also requires both parents to contribute financially to their child’s well-being and needs. The Washington State Child Support Schedule uses both parents’ income and the child’s specific needs to calculate who should pay child support and how much.
By working with you and your ex, our legal team can reach a conclusion. However, when this is not possible, expect us to aggressively work to protect your rights and goals throughout the legal process. Depend on our family attorneys in Spokane to navigate the complexities of Washington divorce law with confidence.
Grandparent Rights in Washington
Washington does not automatically assign visitation or custody rights to grandparents. The court focuses on what is in the child’s best interests, but it also allows fit parents to make decisions about their child’s grandparents outside the court. In situations where it would negatively impact the child, grandparents may petition the court for visitation rights. To do so, you must show:
- A sustained, established relationship exists between the child and the grandparent.
- Demonstrate that denying visitation would create a severe risk of harm to the child’s emotional, mental, or physical health.
- The visitation benefits the child, and not just the grandparent.
If you believe the parents are unfit, abusive, or otherwise unable to care for their child, it may be possible to receive non-parental custody or guardianship over the child. Grandparents can petition for this when it is in the child’s best interest for that person to maintain this role. Show that you can provide a stable environment that meets the child’s needs.
How Our Family Law Attorney in Spokane Aids in Parent Planning and Modifications
In Washington, parents who no longer live together must create a parenting plan, a court-ordered document both parents must follow that outlines the specific care a child will receive. Parenting plans must document the following, at the very least:
- Where the child will live, including their address
- How the parents will make decisions about the child, including how decision-making will be shared (ideally) between two parents
- How future disagreements or concerns are managed
You are not likely to see Washington family court refer to this process as child custody; instead, it focuses on residential schedules and the division of rights to legal and physical custody of the child. In all situations, the court approves or modifies parenting plans based on what is in the child’s best interests. A judge must understand what that means in your case.
Modifying Parenting Plans
Parenting plans often require modification, especially as your lives change. The court will consider modifications when you can show that those modifications are necessary and remain in the best interests of the child. Always make modifications with the help of our family law attorney in Spokane and follow the judge’s ruling to protect your rights into the future.
How Our Family Law Attorney in Spokane Aids in Domestic Violence Matters
Many of the family law cases we handle have an element of abuse or domestic violence, or accusations of it. Family law decisions often revolve around these accusations, the evidence for them, and the necessary corrective measures. If you are a domestic violence victim navigating the family law process, our legal team will help you through the entire process.
- We will help you take legal steps to protect yourself from further abuse. This may include seeking a protection order.
- Aid in gathering evidence to support your claims and uphold your rights.
- Help you create parenting plans, protection orders, and divorce agreements that align with the real risks you face, as well as offering parenting plan modification support.
When there are complications in your divorce, or you are afraid to make decisions because of domestic violence, speak to Dellino Family Law. Allow our family law attorney in Spokane to protect your privacy while also providing the tools and resources you need to move toward a safer future. Request a consultation with our Spokane family attorney now to learn more about your legal options.
Wrongly Accused of Domestic Violence
Unfortunately, many family law cases also involve claims of domestic violence that are unfounded and that can create a significant rift in relationships and in the court’s decision-making process related to parental planning. If you are facing unfair claims that may affect your access to your child, contact us to discuss what you are facing. We can help you avoid a damaging outcome.
Secure Your Appointment With Us Today
If you’re confused about your current family situation and aren’t sure what your rights are, or need help with a complex or upsetting situation, you don’t have to face it alone. Our family lawyer in Spokane may be able to assist you.
Reach out to Dellino Family Law. Tell us your story and let us guide you through any legal challenges you may be facing. Chat, message, or call us now. We are here to help.
