Lynnwood Family Law

Going through a divorce means making important choices that could affect the rest of your life. Unfortunately, there are no easy answers to questions about child custody, child support, or alimony. How will your property be divided? If you don't have primary custody of your kids, what will the visitation schedule be like? Negotiating these issues can be tricky, especially when you and your spouse don’t see eye to eye. Understanding how Washington State family law applies to your situation is essential, and our Lynnwood divorce lawyers can help you get a better grasp on the law and how it applies to your situation.

Our Lynnwood family law attorneys often see firsthand how emotionally draining a divorce can be for adults and children alike. With more than 5 decades of combined experience, we recognize how valuable our role truly is. We pride ourselves on a compassionate approach to family law, because this helps our Lynnwood clients make the best decisions possible.

If you’re just getting started with your Lynnwood divorce, you probably have some questions that are keeping you up at night. These could include:

• Could I lose custody of my kids, and will I have to pay child support?
• Can my spouse take everything I’ve worked my entire life to earn?
• Will I have to move out of my house, and how is property divided?
• What if my spouse refuses to treat me fairly?

No two divorce situations are alike, and that is why our Lynnwood divorce lawyers will give your case the individual focus it demands. Your family deserves personalized care and attention from an attorney that cares about the end result, and that is why we treat every divorce case as though it were our own.

Located in Snohomish County, Lynnwood is considered part of the Seattle Metro Area. A population of only about 37,000 belies the fact that Lynnwood is a suburb of one of our nation's most treasured cities. In fact, Lynnwood is home to the Alderwood Mall and one of the largest retail economies in the state. This effort began in the 1980s, and after becoming a transit hub in the 1990s, the economy really took off. If you would like information about jobs or local government, check out the Lynnwood municipal page.

Lynnwood also boats a modern Convention Center, which created more economic growth for this already prosperous area. Obviously, Lynnwood is very popular with visitors and there are some incredible hotels, restaurants, and gold courses within city limits. There is also an aquatic center, numerous hiking trails, and a plethora of city parks that make it the envy of people living in less prosperous Washington cities.

Even in the most economically stable parts of the state, divorce is a reality of life. If you're a Lynnwood resident facing a serious family matter or a divorce, you will have to deal with the Snohomish County Family Court. This court handles all sorts of family law cases involving paternity, restraining orders, and just about anything else that falls under that umbrella. If you have any questions about family law, we urge you to talk to one of our Lynnwood divorce lawyers, get the facts, and then follow through with whatever decision you think is best.

For details specific to the family law matter most important to you, contact our law office and speak to a a qualified Lynnwood divorce lawyer one-on-one. Washington family law is often confusing, and if you've never been involved with the courts you have little preparation for what's in store. In the meantime, we offer the following information, which covers some of the more common divorce and family law issues we encounter.

Child custody – If you have children, a divorce will likely require that reassess your notion of what constitutes a family arrangement. This will not be easy. Mothers and fathers may no longer what to pursue their relationship, but neither want to sever ties with their kids. Many will go to great lengths to attain primary custody of their kids, which is why divorces sometimes get messy.

You should realize that animosity between you and your ex not only jeopardizes divorce negotiations, but may also have a negative impact on your children's emotions. Our Lynnwood family law lawyers urge clients to put aside their resentment and work toward a fair, equitable custody arrangement. If you can't agree to a parenting plan, the court will enforce one. That's not to say that you have to let your ex walk all over you. If they fail to treat you fairly, we will not back down. However, fair treatment also applies to you. Your Lynnwood child custody lawyer may not always tell you what you want to hear, but they will tell you what you need to hear.

Child support - If you have children, their needs must be met after a divorce. This often means that the parent with primary custody receives financial support from the other parent. Child support issues also involve non-married parents. Sometimes it's necessary to first establish paternity before the court can be petitioned to enforce child support payments. If you need help with any of these issues, please contact one of our Lynnwood child support lawyers and get the facts.

Spousal support – If one partner was the primary wage earner in the home, they may be required to pay alimony after getting a divorce. If the marriage lasted for a number of years, these monthly support payments may only stop if the recipient remarries. However, marriages that were shorter in duration may only incur alimony payments for a certain number of years. There are a lot of variables at play in these situations, so talk to one of our Lynnwood spousal support lawyers if you would like to find out whether alimony will be included in your divorce.

Divorce for men – There is a misconception among many men that the court will show preferential treatment to their ex simply because she is a woman or mother. While this was true in the past, much has changed in the Washington State Family Court and men are now treated as equals. Still, you have legal rights that must be protected during a divorce regardless of your gender. Our Lynnwood divorce for men attorneys understand the unique challenges that fathers often face, and we will aggressively defend you interests.

Protection orders and restraining orders – When someone is in an abusive marriage, they often don't know where to turn. Restraining and protection orders are legal tools that prevent an abusive partner from having any contact with you. If they violate the order, they face severe penalties, which is why these legal tools are so effective. If you or your child is being abused by your partner, remove yourself from the situation immediately and contact one of our Lynnwood protection order lawyers. We can petition the family court for the protection you so desperately need.

Modifications of support – Support comes in the form of child support or alimony. Sometimes there is a significant change in a person's life that causes financial difficulties. When this happens, you can petition the court for a support modification. Child support modifications are more common, but sometimes the court will hear a petition for a spousal support modification. Either way, you will need assistance from an experienced Lynnwood support modification lawyer, so don't hesitate to contact our law office and get the facts.

We take a streamlined approach to every Lynnwood divorce case so that we can create a clear path toward its resolution. We start by helping you to define your goals, and then use these goals as a road map of sorts as we negotiate with your spouse and their Lynnwood divorce lawyer. When hurdles present themselves and choices must be made, your divorce attorney acts as your trusted counselor and helps to keep you focused on the goals you have already outlined.

In this way, your best interests are always at the fore, and your legal rights remain protected. If your spouse refuses to respond to fair negotiation efforts, our Lynnwood family law attorneys will aggressively seek other avenues.

You can contact one of our Lynnwood divorce lawyers today for a free case evaluation, and start getting some help bringing your future into a clearer focus. If you choose to retain one of our Lynnwood divorce professionals they will be at your side from the start of the divorce until its conclusion.