Some couples agree on all terms and seek a quick, simple divorce in Pullman, Washington. However, that is not the situation in all cases. A divorce action can be lengthy, emotionally draining, and costly.
Each divorce is unique. Your divorce case is based on your specific circumstances. Regardless of the path your divorce case takes, you need an experienced Pullman divorce lawyer on your side from the beginning.
Our managing partner Julie A. Twyford has been practicing law for more than 45 years. She has assembled a legal team of dedicated, highly skilled, compassionate lawyers and legal professionals. At Twyford Law Office, we provide exceptional legal services in Pullman, WA.
When you need a Pullman divorce attorney, count on the attorneys of Twyford Law Office to protect your best interests. Contact us for a free consultation at (509) 327 0777. to discuss your situation.
Filing for dissolution of marriage (divorce) in Washington is more than merely filing divorce forms with the court. A divorce case includes issues other than legally ending a marriage.
A final divorce order resolves issues related to child custody, alimony, property division, and child support. Hiring a top-rated Pullman family lawyer gives you a better chance of obtaining your desired outcome.
At Twyford Law Office, our Pullman divorce attorneys have decades of combined legal experience. They provide aggressive representation at the negotiating table and in the courtroom. With the skill, resources, and determination to win, you can be assured they will do everything necessary to obtain a fair resolution in your divorce case.
When you hire our award-winning Pullman divorce lawyers, you can expect us to:
Divorce law is complex. At some point, you will need advice and guidance from an experienced Pullman divorce attorney.
Call Twyford Law Office today to schedule a free case evaluation with an experienced divorce lawyer in Pullman, WA. We are here when you need unparalleled legal services as you take steps to dissolve your marriage.
A divorce (dissolution of marriage) is the legal process of ending your marriage. Each state sets the requirements and grounds for a divorce.
To obtain a divorce in Washington, you must meet the following requirements:
Washington is a no-fault divorce state. Irreconcilable differences are the only grounds for divorce. Therefore, you do not need to prove that your spouse is guilty of adultery, domestic violence, abandonment, or other wrongdoing to obtain a divorce.
The spouse filing for divorce states that the marriage is irretrievably broken. It does not matter if the other spouse objects to the divorce. You can obtain a divorce even if your spouse wants to remain married.
The divorce process begins with a spouse filing divorce papers with the court. The filing spouse is referred to as the petitioner.
The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is served on the other spouse, who is referred to as the respondent. The respondent has a deadline for filing a response.
You can request a default divorce judgment if your spouse does not respond to the divorce papers. You can obtain a divorce in Washington even if your spouse refuses to participate in the divorce process.
When a spouse responds to the petition for divorce, the case can follow several different paths. If you and your spouse agree on all divorce terms, you can submit a proposed divorce settlement for an uncontested divorce.
If you and your spouse disagree on the divorce terms, our Pullman divorce lawyers work to resolve the dispute through mediation and negotiation. In many cases, spouses can resolve their issues and present a divorce agreement to the court for approval.
However, if your spouse refuses to negotiate in good faith, you may take a contested divorce path. We proceed with the discovery phase of the case, where we gather evidence supporting your position regarding alimony, custody, support, and property division. We may work with various experts and investigators during the discovery phase to strengthen the evidence for trial.
The court sets a trial date for a final hearing. Both spouses present evidence, and attorneys argue the legal aspects of the disputed issues. The judge makes the final decision based on Washington family laws and the evidence presented to the court.
Contested divorces can be costly and time-consuming. We strive to resolve the issues in your divorce without going to trial. However, our divorce lawyers are seasoned trial attorneys who do not shy away from taking cases to trial when it is in our client’s best interest.
Washington is a community property state for divorces. Each spouse has a 50% interest in marital assets. Marital property generally includes all assets and financial gain the spouses acquired during the marriage.
Spouses can agree on how to divide marital assets during a divorce. If they cannot agree, the court decides how property will be divided between the spouses.
Factors judges consider in property division cases include:
Property division can be a complicated issue in some divorces. Spouses may dispute the classification of assets as separate or community. A spouse might try to conceal assets.
Our Pullman divorce lawyers are equipped to handle all issues regarding property division, including high asset divorces, concealed assets, business valuation, and liquidation of assets.
Alimony (spousal support) may be granted in a divorce case, but it is not guaranteed.
The court considers several factors when determining whether to grant alimony, including, but not limited to:
Our Pullman spousal support lawyers work with you to obtain a fair alimony agreement with your spouse. If the matter goes to trial, we fiercely defend your rights.
Child custody and child support can be contentious issues in a divorce case. Parents are encouraged to work together to develop a parenting plan and visitation schedule that is in the children’s best interest.
When parents cannot agree on child custody, a judge decides custody cases based on the child’s best interests.
Judges consider numerous factors to determine child custody, including:
Divorced parents are legally responsible for the financial support of their children. Washington uses a standardized child support formula to calculate child support obligations. However, parents may dispute the information used to calculate support payments or special circumstances that could impact child support.
Our Pullman divorce attorneys work with you to protect your parental rights while obtaining a parenting plan that works for the family. We also work to ensure you pay/receive your fair share of the child support obligation.
Spouses can consent to use an Informal Family Law Trial (IFLT) to resolve issues in a divorce case. An IFLT is an alternative to going through formal litigation for a divorce action.
You submit evidence in writing to the judge, and the judge can question the spouses directly. The rules of evidence differ in an IFLT so that judges may consider hearsay and other evidence relevant to the issues before the court.
The judge makes a final decision and issues the divorce decree. Before agreeing to an IFLT, discuss the pros and cons with one of our Pullman divorce lawyers.
The experienced divorce lawyers of Twyford Law Office prioritize your needs as we work with you to complete your divorce case in Pullman, WA. Together, we will get you through this experience so you can move forward with the next phase of your life. Call Twyford Law Office for your free case review with our Pullman divorce attorney.
Our Seattle Office
814 Second Avenue 515,
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 590-7085
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430 W Indiana Ave,
Spokane, WA 99205
(509) 327-0777
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1408 140th Place NE, Suite 400,
Bellevue, WA 98007
(425) 517-3350.
