How many lawyers are in Washington state?

The Washington State Bar Association operates under the delegated authority of the Washington Supreme Court and exercises a governmental function authorized by the Washington Supreme Court to license and regulate the state’s nearly 40,000 legal professionals, including lawyers, limited practice officers, and limited …

How much does a divorce lawyer cost in Seattle?

In Washington state, the cost of a divorce lawyer is between $250 and $285 per hour. Average divorce attorney prices are $10,500 to $12,000 for the whole marriage dissolution, but the mutual divorce cost will be significantly lower, averaging at around $5,000.

How much does it cost to get divorce in Washington?

Most agreed divorce services in Washington State charge between $500 and $700 including the $300+ court filing fee. Our firm recommends an agreed divorce service named Peaceful Separations, which charges closer to $700 including the court filing fee.

How much does a family lawyer cost in Washington state?

The average hourly rate for a lawyer in Washington is between $175 and $378 per hour.

How many lawyers are there in Seattle?

Additionally, more than 4,710 lawyers are licensed to practice in Seattle, many belonging to both the King County Bar Association and the Washington State Bar Association.

What is a wife entitled to in a divorce in Washington State?

You get a decree, a division of all the parties’ property, a parenting plan, a child support order, and potentially spousal maintenance (alimony).

Who gets the house in a divorce in Washington State?

One Party’s Separate Property. Courts usually award each spouse his or her separate property and divide community property 50/50. Consequently, if the house is entirely one spouse’s separate property, he or she almost always receives it unless the parties agree otherwise.

How many years do you have to be married to get alimony in Washington?

Alimony in Medium-Term Marriages (5–25 years) As a general rule of thumb, courts in Washington State award one year of alimony for every three or four years of marriage. There is no statute or case law explicitly stating this formula, but it is an oft mentioned rule and generally what courts can be expected to do.

Who pays for a divorce?

There appears to be a myth that the person being divorced (known as the Respondent) always pays the fees for a divorce, when in reality this is not the case in the majority of divorce cases. The person filing for the divorce (known as the Applicant) will always pay the divorce filing fee.

How long does it take for a divorce to be finalized in Washington State?

Technically, a divorce in Washington State can be finalized 90 days after the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is filed and is signed by both spouses (or is signed by one spouse and served to the other spouse). However, many divorces take longer than 90 days to finalize due to a number of different factors.

How do I get a free divorce in Washington State?

Free divorce and family law packets are available online at http://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/issues/family-law.

What age can a child decide which parent to live with in Washington State?

In both Washington and Oregon, a child can only choose which parent they’d like to live with when they turn 18 or are otherwise emancipated. Minor children are not considered capable of making such decisions for themselves and are not permitted to “choose” living with one parent over another.

How do I file for divorce in Washington State?

1. Complete divorce forms. The divorce process begins with the divorce form or petition for divorce.
2. File divorce papers with the court.
3. Serve your spouse with the divorce papers.
4. Sign and file final divorce documents.

What does the Seattle city attorney do?

The Seattle City Attorney is a non-partisan elected official in Seattle, Washington whose job is to “prosecute people for misdemeanor offenses, defend the city against lawsuits, and gives legal advice to the city”.

What can be used against you in a divorce?

Spending marital money on extramarital affairs. Transferring marital funds to another person before a separation. Spending unreasonable amounts on business expenditures. Selling marital assets below the market value.

Is WA A 50/50 divorce state?

In a 50/50 divorce state like Washington, how much each spouse earned during the marriage doesn’t matter. All property that is considered community property — assets, debts, income, property, etc. — is subject to division.

Does a husband have to support his wife during separation?

If you’re in the process of filing for divorce, you may be entitled to, or obligated to pay, temporary alimony while legally separated. In many instances, one spouse may be entitled to temporary support during the legal separation to pay for essential monthly expenses such as housing, food and other necessities.

Can my wife take my retirement in a divorce?

Under the law in most states, retirement plan assets earned during a marriage are considered to be marital property that can and should be divided. It’s therefore advisable for couples to make these assets part of their property settlement agreement negotiations and their divorce decree.

How is debt split in a divorce in Washington State?

Generally, all debts either spouse incurred during the marriage are community debts. Both spouses are equally responsible for them.

Do I have to sell my house if I get divorced?

Do we have to sell the house if we’re divorcing? No, not necessarily. However, divorce and property rights can be complicated and so it will depend on your circumstances. Bear in mind also that it’s not just financial considerations that will determine whether you must sell the property.

Can a working wife get alimony?

The short answer is yes, a working spouse can receive spousal support in Texas.

Can you date while legally separated in Washington State?

While there is nothing legally wrong with dating before your divorce is official in Washington State, it can often begin disputes and complexities that you could otherwise avoid.

How long after a divorce can you ask for alimony?

Either you or your spouse, or both of you, can ask for alimony at the time of divorce. If the original divorce judgment didn’t mention alimony at all, you can file a complaint for alimony for the first time at any time after your divorce. Alimony can be changed after a divorce through a process called a modification.

Is it better to be the petitioner or the Respondent in a divorce?

There is no advantage or disadvantage to being either the petitioner or respondent. They are simply terms to make it easier to refer to each party during the divorce process.

What is the best way to handle a divorce?

1. Recognize that it’s OK to have different feelings.
2. Give yourself a break.
3. Don’t go through this alone.
4. Take care of yourself emotionally and physically.
5. Avoid power struggles and arguments with your spouse or former spouse.
6. Take time to explore your interests.
7. Think positively.