Seattle Divorce Attorney
Cost-Effective Divorce Solutions in King County
Choosing to dissolve a marriage can be a difficult decision. But once you’ve made that first step, you may find that the entire divorce process is much more involved than you originally thought.
You will have to resolve many important issues regarding your finances, shared property, spousal maintenance, and more. If you and your spouse share children, you will also have to decide on child support and how to split parenting time between your new households.
Filing for divorce in Seattle? Our caring and aggressive attorneys will fight for you. Call us at (206) 966-6933 or reach out online to schedule your consultation.
Our Seattle Divorce Attorneys Are Here For You
Divorce can be stressful and emotionally draining, but you are not alone.
Our attorneys at Wakefield Legal can:
- Walk you through every step,
- Help you with paperwork,
- Mediate disputes,
- Find amicable solutions, and
- Even protect your rights in court, if necessary.
We are here for you every step of the way with our quality advice and personalized guidance.
Why Choose Wakefield Legal For Divorce Representation?
At Wakefield Legal, PLLC, we:
- Offer trial-tested, trusted experience
- Offer caring counsel & aggressive advocacy
- Are available to answer your questions
- Are recommended by clients & peers alike
Call Wakefield legal today at (206) 966-6933 or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our divorce attorney in Seattle.
No-Fault Divorce in Washington
Washington is a no-fault divorce state. This means that you do not have to provide any reasons for the divorce beyond the fact that it is “irretrievably broken.” Couples do not assign blame or provide reasons why the marriage did not work.
As long as one party wants to file for divorce, then the state will still grant the divorce, regardless of whether the other spouse disagrees.
Washington Divorce Residency Requirement
To file for divorce in Washington, either spouse must be a resident of the state. You are not required to have lived in the state for any specified length of time, as long as either you or your spouse has established residency. You may prove this by issuing a copy of your voter registration card, a change of address form, or your driver's license.
Filing for Dissolution of Marriage in Washington State
The actual filing of the complaint for dissolution of marriage is a painless process.
You will need to supply information such as:
- The last known address of your spouse (including your own)
- The location and date of your wedding
- Whether your spouse is pregnant or if minor children are involved
- The date when you and your spouse officially separated
What is the Waiting Period for Divorce in Washington?
Washington State requires all divorcing couples to wait 90 days before finalizing. This is called the cooling off period where the court hopes the parties will reconcile. Unfortunately, 90 days is simply not enough time for most couples to negotiate the terms.
How much Does a Divorce Cost in Washington State?
Divorce costs vary significantly depending on the complexity of the case. Still, there are some fees that all couples can anticipate.
The fee to file for a dissolution of marriage in King County is $314.
In addition to this expense, a pair can brace themselves for:
- Attorney fees
- Costs for official copies of divorce paperwork
- Service fees
- Moving costs
- Psychiatric evaluations for expert witnesses in divorces with children
In total, an uncontested divorce can cost around $4,000. The fees will increase with any additional court appearances, petition filings, responses to motions, and more.
Overall, couples can safely anticipate some sort of charge any time they must submit paperwork, see a judge, or issue a formal response to the opposition.
If a case necessitates a trial to settle multiple issues, it could cost around $20,000.
Do You Need a Lawyer to File for Divorce in Washington State?
No, it is not mandatory to hire a lawyer when filing for divorce, but it is highly recommended. The laws surrounding divorce can be complex, especially if children or large assets are involved.
It is a common misunderstanding that hiring an attorney for divorce will result in higher costs, longer waits, and more paperwork. Our intention here at Wakefield Legal is to eliminate the headache from this overwhelming process.
Our Seattle divorce lawyers create strategies that will help you in both the short and long-term by keeping your priorities first.
Additional reasons that you should consider hiring an attorney for divorce in Seattle include:
- Less stress over the excess paperwork and court documents
- If your spouse hires a lawyer, you will want to as well
- Clarification for any confusing legal verbiage
- An attorney will help you pursue issues that are worth your time and money
- An attorney can help dig up hidden assets that your spouse may be hiding
For a divorce that is surrounded by doubt and disagreement, hiring a lawyer is in your best interests. You do not want to face the legal system solo and lose everything.
Call us today at (206) 966-6933 to schedule your consultation! Our Seattle divorce attorneys are experienced, trial-tested, and compassionate.
SKILLED NEGOTIATORS. FIERCE TRIAL ADVOCATES.
Our family law attorneys are skilled at negotiating disputes when the stakes are high, such as in high net worth divorces and between couples with significant assets. We understand the value of reaching fair and amicable resolutions that preserve harmony in relationships. While we do our best to resolve issues outside of court, we can competently take your case to trial in order to protect your interests.
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Contact Wakefield Legal today for a personal consultation!