Information Center: 

• Types of Family Law Cases in Washington State
• Uncontested Divorces 
• Contested Divorces 
• Family Law Court Resources 
• Divorce Resources in Washington 
• Domestic Violence Resources in WA 

Types of Family Law Cases in Washington State

The Washington family courts handle all sort of issues involving divorce, paternity, support modifications, among others. Many of these issues are related to divorce, but not all. The following are some typical family law cases our firm takes on in the state of Washington.

• Divorce – It can be incredibly frustrating to file for divorce. The process is long and can be contentious if you and your ex-spouse don’t agree on proceedings. If the divorce is contested, both parties will have to work through various issues including how assets will be divided, parenting plans if minor children are involved, debt allocation, support for child or spouse, and other important unsettled disputes.
• Child Custody – Divorcing couples with minor children tend to have the most disputes. Often parents will have differing opinions on who would be the better custodial parent and bring those into court. Most parents will try their best to split custody, but in some cases one or both parents will fight for sole or primary custody. That’s when child custody proceedings can take a nasty turn. If the parents are unable to agree, the court will make the decision for them in the best interests of the child.
• Child Support – Each parent has a legal duty to provide for their child even if they’re no longer married. In Washington, the state uses something called a Washington Child Support Schedule to calculate the appropriate child support owed from each parent. These support orders are also subject to modification every few years. For some divorcing couples, child support can be a huge point of contention.
• Spousal Support or Alimony – A divorce is obviously a major lifestyle change for anyone. However, when one spouse has a high income compared to the other—a divorce can completely change a person’s life for good. That is why the court may grant spousal support or alimony to one spouse if there’s a large income gap. If you or your ex-spouse is seeking alimony, it’s important you hire an experienced family law attorney to determine if you qualify.
• Restraining Orders – Restraining orders are requested as part of a domestic violence case to protect a party from an abusive partner. These are common during family law cases including divorce and child custody proceedings. Whether you’re trying to file for a restraining order or cancel one, it’s important you hire an experienced Washington restraining lawyer attorney as soon as possible.
• Modifications – In some family law cases, modifications are necessary for either alimony or child support. Modifications are only granted if one or both parties have good reason for the request such as losing their main source of income or undergoing treatment for a serious illness. The best way to modify or stop modification is to consult with a skilled Washington family law attorney. They can determine if your situation qualifies for modification and can help you pursue the upcoming steps to achieve it.

Uncontested Divorce Washington State

Married couples wishing to split with little to no conflict are pursuing an uncontested divorce. Usually, an uncontested divorce is for a couple who wishes to dissolve their marriage and has little to no disagreements regarding asset division, debt allocation, etc. Many couples seek out this type of divorce because all the details can be handled outside of trial and a settlement agreement can be reached before the case is even filed.

Couples will often try to seek an uncontested divorce as the process is much less expensive than a contested dissolution. Although an uncontested divorce is much less complicated, it’s highly recommended you don’t resolve your divorce on your own. Filing a settlement agreement is not a good “do it yourself” project as you may not know how to put the intentions you agree upon in the settlement. Higher asset or income couples often make errors and don’t take into consideration tax consequences, retirement plans, and other important concerns.

Since these legal agreements have long-lasting consequences, it’s vital you secure a family law attorney who has the skills and knowledge necessary to address all possible issues that could arise in your uncontested divorce.

Contested Divorce in Washington State

When two spouses cannot reach an agreement on important marital issues, then it’s considered a contested divorce. Many couples attempt to seek an uncontested divorce, but after negotiations with their ex, they find that an uncontested divorce is simply impossible. Couples in a contested divorce will find themselves in trial disputing over various important issues including fair division of assets and drafting a parenting plan both parties can agree on.

These cases have no specific time limit. For some, contested divorce proceedings are only a few weeks. Others are in the throes of divorce proceedings for months or even years. The duration of the proceedings will depend on how many issues need to be resolved. For some divorces one party may even try to hide assets or income in an effort to avoid distribution.

Divorce is a major transition in any person’s life, but when you and your ex don’t agree the process can be lengthy and stressful. At Law Offices of Shana E. Thompson, we are focused at helping out clients through every stage of their case to ensure all matters are resolved peacefully and efficiently. Our divorce lawyers in Washington have decades of collective experience handling complex cases and can use that knowledge to help you protect your interests.

Family Law Court Resources in Washington

Washington Family Courts – Visit the official website for the Washington Courts to learn more about how the court system functions in the state of Washington. Access the site to find which court has jurisdiction over your case, opinions by Washington judges, necessary forms you may need, and other programs and organizations that may be helpful for your case.

King County Family Court – Visit the official website for the King County Superior Court to learn more about their family court division. Access the site to schedule a family law motion, look up information about virtual hearings, how to file a family law action, and other important information you may need for your case.

King County Superior Court Clerk – Visit the official website for King County to learn more about their clerk’s office. If you’re filing a family law action, then you’ll more than likely have to visit the clerk’s office at least once. Access the site to learn more about their virtual protection order office, look up court records, file a legal action, request a record or a copy of a court record, and other information that may be vital to you.

Snohomish County Family Law Court – Visit the official website for Snohomish County to learn more about their family courts system. Access the site to look at changes to the commissioner’s calendar, guidelines for family law orders regarding children and COVID-19, and new information about alternative dispute resolution (ADR) hearings.

Snohomish County Court Clerk – Visit the official website for Snohomish County to access their page reserved for their court clerk. Access the site to get a copy of a court record, file an important form, look up a case number, search through court records, and get answers to your frequently asked questions about the Snohomish County courts.

Washington Divorce Resources

Divorce Roadmap – Visit the official website for the King County courts to look at their “roadmap” to divorce, which is an easy-to-digest power point detailing every step of the divorce process. Access the PowerPoint to learn more about divorce proceedings, what forms are needed, where you can find this information, and how to file for divorce in Washington.

Washington Divorce Forms – Visit the official website for the Washington Courts to learn more about forms you may need if you’re looking to dissolve your marriage. Access the site to learn what forms you’ll need to file for divorce, how to file a temporary order, restraining order forms, documents needed to resolve your divorce, as well as forms related to child custody/support.

AFCC | Association of Family and Conciliation Courts – Visit the official website for the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, which is an association of professionals who are dedicated to providing information to minimize family conflict in the court system. Access their resources to learn more about mediation, a guide for stepparents in divorce, how to make a parenting plan work, the difference between divorce and separation, and more.

Division of Child Support – Visit the official Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to learn more about their child support services for residents. Access the site to enroll for child support services, pay your child support payment, look at their quick estimator for child support payments, find a form you may need, and other important information.

Parenting Plan Evaluation – Visit the official website for King County to take a look at a PDF of the evaluation form for parenting plans. This form is used when mediation is unsuccessful or the court orders it to evaluate the needs of the children and the ability of each parent to meet that child’s needs. Access the document to learn how your parenting skills are measured, the process for evaluations, and the form itself.

What Parents Can Do to Help Children with Divorce – Visit the official website for the website Mediate, which is the largest source of information on mediation in the U.S. Access the site to read an article by Kathleen O’Connell Corcoran about how to help your child transition into a new lifestyle and to minimize stress from the divorce.

Domestic Violence Resources in Washington

Washington State Protection Order Resources – Visit the official website for Washington State’s protection order resources to learn more about restraining orders, protective orders, and no-contact orders. Access the site to learn how you can file a restraining order in Washington, the different types of protection orders and restraining orders, and what forms are needed to file.

Lifewire | Together Against Domestic Violence – Visit the official website for the Eastside Domestic Violence Program (EDVP), also known as Lifewire. The organization provides survivors of domestic violence in King County Washington support groups and emergency shelter.

Domestic Violence Assessments – Visit the official website for King County to learn more about domestic violence assessments in family court. Access the site to learn how the assessment is conducted, how to have an assessment done, and other important information.