Puyallup Family Law

Studies show that a divorce is one of the most stressful experiences in a person's life, and some say that the emotional upheaval actually takes years off of your life. This makes sense when you consider that divorce is like starting over in life, and may also mean losing daily contact with your children or even your entire support system. Divorce often leaves broken families in its wake, where adults and children are desperate to put the broken pieces of their back together. Right now, who can you turn to for help?

If you are thinking about filing for a divorce in Washington, an experienced Puyallup divorce lawyer from our law firm can help. Our Puyallup divorce attorneys have more than 5 decades of collective experience dealing with complicated family law issues like child custody, property division, and creating parenting plans.

We understand the emotional strain that accompanies the decision to get a divorce, both for you and your children. That’s why our Puyallup family law attorneys offer sound legal advice and guidance through this difficult time in your life. If you find yourself having trouble making the transition into your new life, our compassionate Puyallup divorce attorneys can refer you to a professional trained to help you cope with the aftermath of your divorce.

Your attorney during a divorce is your trusted adviser and compassionate confidante. When you have concerns, they are ready to address them. When you're unsure of what choices to make, they can offer you counsel based on decades of experience. When times are tough, they are a listening ear to hear your cry of distress. We believe that the best approach to divorce law starts with compassion, and it's an attribute our client's truly appreciate.

Puyallup, Washington, The Pierce County Family Court, and You

Only 10 miles from Tacoma, Puyallup is a small city in Pierce County with a population of only 37,000. The name Puyallup comes from the Native American Tribe, and in the 1840s there were about 2,000 of them living in the area. This place is also known as the site of a Japanese American internment camp during WWII, where about 7,000 detainees, mostly American citizens, were held. Puyallup is known for much better things nowadays, and you can check out their municipal website if you are curious about local government, local parks, or public records.

Some of the more recognizable landmarks in Puyallup include Ezra Meeker Mansion and the many historic buildings in the downtown shopping district. Puyallup is also the place where Washingtonians go for the State Fair. More than one million people come to this event annually to enjoy some cotton candy, countless exhibits, and midway rides that may or may not be safe. Puyallup is also famous for its daffodils, and there is a parade held every year in their honor.

Sometimes even a fresh bouquet of daffodils can't save a broken marriage, which means that the next stop is the Pierce County Family Court . This division of the superior court handles many other family law issues involving paternity, support modifications, and relocations, among others. If you have questions about any of these important issues, please contact one of our Puyallup divorce lawyers and get the help you need to take the next step.

When dealing with any divorce or family law matter, you want answers to some of your most pressing questions. Most people have no idea how the courts work or what they require when an action needs to be taken. This is where your attorney comes in. They will provide you with some basic answers so that you can decide how to proceed. Because your situation is unique, only a conversation with a lawyer can specifically answer your questions, but we offer the following information as a brief overview of some common and important topics.

Child Custody - One of the most challenging divorce issues we commonly face deals with the custody of children. Because it can be difficult for both parties to agree on what is best for their children, our Puyallup divorce lawyers can keep negotiations moving forward when stumbling blocks arise over parenting plans, support, and child custody issues.

There is little wonder why custody issues are often emotionally charged. No parent wants to lose custody of their kids, and it's during this phase of negotiations where many parents suddenly realize the finality of a divorce. This may cause suppressed emotions to rise to the surface. Old unresolved arguments may be reignited. If this gets out of control, negotiations may break down entirely, forcing the court to hammer out the details of the parenting plan. We maintain that you know your kids better than any judge, so we urge clients to maintain civility at all time. If your spouse and their lawyer just won't treat your fairly, our Puyallup child custody lawyers won't back down from a fight.

Spousal Support - Property division is another aspect of a Puyallup divorce that can cause its fair share of consternation. When a Puyallup marriage ends, property must be divided during the divorce process. As you go through these steps our Puyallup spousal support lawyers ensure you are being treated equitably.

Washington spousal maintenance laws are often difficult to understand, and there are a great many misconceptions regarding who is entitled to alimony. One of our Puyallup divorce attorneys can help you better understand alimony law when you answer these questions:

• How much income do you and your spouse earn?
• How old are you and your spouse, and what is the condition of your health?
• How would you describe your financial status?

Child Support – One parent is often required to pay the other parent child support. Usually the custodial parent is the recipient of support, but sometimes other arrangements are made. The court is primarily interested in the child's well being, so they will render decisions regarding child support accordingly. If you have questions about this issue, contact one of our Puyallup child support lawyers for more information.

Divorce for Men – Men, especially fathers, are sometimes worried whether they will treated fairly in the Pierce County Family Court. They wonder whether the judge will show preference to the mother of their child because they may be seen as more nurturing. While this used to be a problem for men, today's courts treat everyone the same regardless of gender. Still, your legal rights still must be protected at all costs, so talk to one of our Puyallup divorce for men lawyers about all of your specific concerns.

Protection Orders and Restraining Orders – You should never remain in an abusive situation, but victims often live in constant fear and may not realize that they have legal options to protect themselves. Protection and restraining orders exist for this purpose, and they are almost always effective. Anyone that violates these orders is subject to prosecution and possibly even time behind bars, which is why they are so useful. If you or a child is victim of abuse, contact one of our Puyallup protection order lawyers for help.

Modifications of Support – If you are already divorced but have fallen on hard times financially, you may be able to petition the family court for a support modification. The courts aren't eager to change parenting plans, but child support modifications are still more common than modifications to spousal support arrangements. Petitioning the Pierce County Family Court is relatively straightforward, but you will definitely want help from a qualified Puyallup support modification lawyer.

Finding an attorney in Puyallup that you can trust to handle some of your most important life decisions can be challenging. As a way of making your decision a little simpler, we offer a free case evaluation to all of our potential clients in Puyallup.

If you decide that you would like one of our Puyallup family law attorneys to work with you, they will earn your trust through hard work and by offering reliable legal counsel. Our Washington divorce lawyers stay up to date on all Washington family laws, and will give you information designed to help you make good decisions for your family and loved ones.

Contact our Puyallup office today, and find out for yourself why we give every client personalized attention and compassionate care as they face the challenges of a divorce.