Spokane Divorce Lawyers
Helping You Navigate Divorce Throughout Eastern Washington
The decision to end a marriage is never easy. It is a period marked by profound change, emotional weight, and uncertainty about the future. You may have been considering this step for some time, or you may have recently been served with papers; either way, you are likely feeling the pressure to make decisions that will affect your finances, your living situation, and your relationship with your children for years to come.
At Allen | Fischer, we believe you deserve more than just a legal representative; you deserve a partner who understands what you are going through. We provide both legal knowledge and skill with human empathy.
We recognize that divorce is often emotionally-charged; our goal is to provide the steady, disciplined advocacy you need to navigate this turbulent time. We are here to empower you through the divorce process so that you can make viable decisions that lead to a more confident future.
Consult a Spokane divorce attorney for advice and options. Call (509) 262-3024 or reach us online to make an in-office or virtual appointment.
How We Help Through the Divorce Journey
Every divorce is unique, and a one-size-fits-all approach rarely serves a client’s best interests. Our firm creates tailored strategies that fit your specific needs.
We help you by:
- Providing strategic counsel. We assess your assets, debts, and family dynamics to build a plan that prioritizes your goals.
- Managing complexities. We have navigated countless cases involving high-net-worth estates, complex business valuations, adversarial custody hearings, and same-sex dissolutions.
- Reducing conflict. Whenever possible, we use negotiation and collaborative methods to reach a peaceful resolution.
- Fighting for you. In high-conflict cases where the other party is being unreasonable, we draw on over a century of collective experience to advocate tenaciously for you in the courtroom.
How Divorce Works in Washington State
Understanding the legal landscape is the first step toward regaining control of your life. In Washington, the process follows specific standards:
No-Fault Grounds
As a no-fault state, you do not have to prove that your spouse did something wrong (like adultery or abandonment) to get a Washington divorce. The only legal requirement is to state that the marriage is irretrievably broken.
You then must resolve the specific issues about your divorce, such as child custody, child support, alimony, and the equitable division of marital property and debt.
Property division can involve real estate, bank accounts, retirement accounts, business interests, investments, and more. These are divided as fairly and equally as possible as community property based on each party’s economic circumstances.
The Process and the Waiting Period
Once a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is filed and served, Washington law requires a 90-day waiting period before the divorce can be finalized. This cooling-off period is designed to allow parties to reach agreements on temporary orders, such as who stays in the house or how the kids are cared for, while the final details are being hammered out.
