Bonney Lake Family Law
Because the divorce process is wrought with tough choices that involve your family, your finances, and your future, you want to be certain that you work with a lawyer that fully understands Washington's complex family laws. When you are tackling important divorce issues that involve the division of property , child support, and child custody, you can’t take chances with anything less than experienced legal counsel.
This is because conflicts sometimes arise during the divorce negotiation process and one of your lawyer's most important jobs is keeping you focused on the task at hand. When emotions run high, negotiations are threatened, and if they break down a judge will be forced to make decisions for your entire family.
Going through a divorce can be devastating, especially for children caught in the middle between spouses who each may feel like they've been wronged. What you are often left with is a series of difficult questions with few obvious answers. Some of which may include:
- Am I eligible for alimony, or will I be forced to pay spousal support to my ex?
- Who will have primary custody of my kids?
- Will I have any control over how the judge renders decisions?
- How long does the divorce process last, and what will it cost?
- As a father, will I be treated equally to my ex-wife?
Obviously, the only way to answer these questions is to talk to a qualified Bonney Lake divorce lawyer who can offer you some information based on decades of experience.
Bonney Lake, Washington, Family Law Court, and the local communityBonny Lake is a small city in Pierce County, Washington with a population of just about 17,000. To find out more about this quaint city with a small town atmosphere, check out the Bonney Lake City website, which has lots of information about local parks, employment opportunities, and the Municipal Court.
If you're in Bonney Lake and looking for somewhere fun to take the kids, you should check out Bradley Lake Park, which is full of awesome playground equipment that children enjoy. The city also has a number of restaurants and retail stores so that adults can enjoy some quality time away from the kids. Bonney Lake's location makes it a great jumping off point for many outdoor activities, including a trip to Puget Sound or maybe a little camping at Mt. Rainier.
The median age in Bonney Lake is only around 36, which is indicative of how many young families call the area home. Even the happiest married couples are sometimes unable to resolve marital problems, which is why the Pierce County Family Court exists. The family court also handles issues involving custody and support modifications and child relocation, among others. Another important online link to the Pierce County Superior Court is this page that focuses on some frequently asked questions regarding divorce.
Understanding Some of the Most Common Divorce and Family Law IssuesDivorce issues and family law issues are sometimes related, and sometimes unrelated. For example, a parent that's been divorced for years may petition the family court for a custody modification. Our Bonney Lake divorce lawyers have more than 50 years of collective experience with the Pierce County Family Court, and they are ready to help you handle any issue.
Let's take a moment to break down some of the most common divorce and family law issues:
- Child custody issues are often the most contentious, because divorcing parents often have differing opinions on who would be the better custodial parent. If both parents are fighting for primary custody, negotiations can take a nasty turn and may break down entirely. This should be avoided whenever possible because if the parents fail to work out a fair custody arrangement, the court will do it for them. Obviously, the stakes couldn't be higher. Your children are the light of your life and you want what's best for them. Still, you have to realize that the court will also render decisions that it feels are in the best interests of your children. If negotiations with your ex begin to break down, your Pierce County family law lawyer will offer you sound legal guidance indented to help both parties maintain focus. Your Bonney Lake child custody lawyer may not always tell you what you want to hear, but they will tell you what you need to hear. If your spouse and their lawyer fail to treat you fairly, we will aggressively pursue your interests in whatever way the law allows.
- Child support is awarded during divorce cases so that the child's needs are cared for. Oftentimes, the custodial parent receives child support from the non-custodial parent, but there are sometimes exceptions. The court uses a schedule to help determine the amount of child custody. If you have questions about the dollar amount you'll receive, or be required to pay, contact one of our Bonney Lake child support lawyers for more details.
- Alimony is the word most people use for something the courts call spousal support. Depending on the length of the marriage and other important factors, the court may require that one person pay alimony to the other. The duration of these monthly payments also hinges on the length of the marriage, and whether the recipient remarries at a later date. If you have questions about alimony, please talk to one of our Bonney Lake spousal support lawyers for more details.
- Divorce for men is another issue our lawyers often get questions about, especially from fathers who are worried about whether the court will treat them as equals to their child's mother. In days gone by, the courts did show favoritism to mothers, but that is largely a thing of the past. Still, it's important to recognize that each divorcing parent deserves equal footing in a court of law, as justice is supposed to be blind. If you're a dad with concerns, contact one of our Bonney Lake divorce for man attorneys and make sure your Constitutional rights are protected.
- Protection and restraining orders are used to protect men and women from abusive partners before, during, and after a divorce. We've met people that were apprehensive about obtaining a restraining order because they were afraid that their ex may try to get back at them in some way. You should realize that these orders are almost always effective and are a useful tool to get out of a bad situation at home. Contact one of our Bonney Lake protection and restraining order lawyers to find out more about these options.
- Support modifications are sometimes necessary, but the court will only approve them if there is a good reason for the request. Losing employment or a serious illness are two such examples. Usually support modifications are related to child support, but sometimes the court may also approve modifications to spousal support. Contact one of our Bonney Lake support modification lawyers if you would like to find out if this action is possible for you.
Obviously, there are other family law issues that may come up, including adoptions, paternity, and same sex marriage divorces. If you have any questions regarding any divorce or family law issues, please contact one of our Pierce County divorce lawyers today.
The Primary Role of Your Bonney Lake Divorce Attorney is to Protect Your Legal Rights at All TimesAfter you first determine a set of goals with the assistance of your Washington State divorce lawyer, the next step is working to resolve your case by adhering to those goals as closely as possible. As negotiations with your spouse unfold these goals may have to be refined, but they will act as a road-map that helps direct us to a clearly defined destination.
There is an outside chance that your spouse will refuse to listen to reason, and if this happens your Bonney Lake divorce professional will actively seek more aggressive solutions like litigation or mediation.
You can Schedule a Free and Private Divorce Consultation With a Qualified Bonney Lake Professional TodayOur Bonney Lake team professional attorneys offer a free case evaluation to anyone who has questions about their divorce or family law matter. You can schedule your free consultation today by simply filing out our online form or giving us a call.
If you decide that we are the right law firm to act as your legal advocate, we will act as your personal advocate throughout this difficult process. Our compassionate approach to family law means you always have a listening ear, and when it comes time to make tough choices you can have confidence that you're making the best decisions possible.