Divorce in Washington, whether you’re in the Puget Sound area or east of the Cascades, comes with a lot of questions and a lot of uncertainty. That’s natural. The attorneys at Envision Family Law want to give you the answers you need as quickly as possible.

Who gets the house?

It doesn’t necessarily have to be about the house. Any property that both parties in the divorce have invested time and money could stand-in for “house” here. “Who gets it,” however, is a question of Washington’s marital property law.

As Washington is a community property state, the law divides all assets and debts in the marital estate equally between the divorcing parties, including:

  • Earnings
  • Property
  • Investments
  • Loans
  • Taxes

Washington law does allow for separate property, which includes assets you possessed before getting married, as well as anything you may have inherited during the marriage or a gift given only to you.

Where will my kids live?

It is long past when the mother is automatically considered the proper custodial parent in all cases. Washington doesn’t even officially use the word “custody” in its law, using the term “parenting plan” instead to describe a child’s living and support arrangement. When judges decide on the parenting plan, they prioritize the child’s best interests over any other consideration.

Where do I start with my divorce?

When you decide it’s time to divorce, the first, best thing you can do is speak with an attorney. Speaking to an attorney even before you talk to your spouse can make a difference in many cases.

Which divorce style is better?

Most people perceive divorce as simply being one way, in a courtroom, with attorneys and a lot of struggle. However, there are other options, such as mediation, wherein you and your spouse sit down with a mediator and work together to form a divorce agreement that you both support. Mediation is often considered faster and cheaper than a traditional divorce.

Get your questions answered

No matter what your question, Envision Family Law is here for you. We have decades of experience in getting our clients through the divorce process with efficiency and confidentiality.