Same Sex Marriage in Tacoma

The Washington State Family Court recognizes that persons involved in same-sex relationships have legal rights that must be acknowledges. This is true whether partners are seeking the disillusionment of a domestic partnership or filing for a “traditional” divorce.

Divorce laws in Washington are complicated, and couples in same sex relationships often have even greater challenges to overcome. Our Tacoma same-sex divorce lawyers are experienced with the older laws that used to govern domestic partnerships, as well as the newer laws involving same-sex marriage.

Property division is an important, albeit difficult, part of any divorce, and it often requires making tough compromises. Couples in same-sex relationships without being legally marriage have similar rights to legally married couples, but knowledge of the law is paramount when dealing with these situations. If you would like some professional assistance to better understand this process, our Tacoma gay divorce attorneys can help. When facing the difficult realities of a divorce, making informed decisions about your future results in a better end result.

If you are in an unmarried same-sex relationship and want to end the relationship, the Washington State court will ask for specific details concerning your personal life. Our Tacoma same-sex divorce attorneys will prepare you for these questions, so that you know what to expect when they’re asked. Questions may include details about property ownership, the date when your relationship began, whether people close to you referred to you as “partners,” and the overall nature of your domestic partnership. This information will then be used to determine whether the Washington Family Court will hear your case.

If the court ultimately denies hearing your case, you still have legal rights that our attorneys can address. Our Pierce County gay divorce lawyer offer reliable counsel that you can use to make informed decisions based on the law, which is ultimately what you most need.

Legally-recognized same-sex marriage is still relatively new in Washington State, which means that there are some unique challenges that same sex couples seeking a divorce will be forced to face. Ascertaining the true length of a relationship can be tricky, because a couple that's been in a relationship for 30 years may only have been legally married for two or three. This makes issues involving property division and alimony especially challenging for same-sex couples.

Your lawyer in Tacoma will first talk to you about your marriage, and the nature of your relationship prior to your marriage. Once they have a grasp on your personal history, they will help you address common divorce issues from a more realistic perspective. If you have problems involving taxes, and have no access to your partner's financial information, our lawyers may be able to help. However, you should keep in mind that it may be difficult to divide retirement plans.

Residency is another issue our attorneys face when handling same-sex couple divorces. Before petitioning for divorce in Washington, at least one partner must be a resident. The state of Washington will permit couples married in other states to divorce as long as they meet this requirement.

At the Washington Family Law Group, our legal team works diligently on behalf of every client to develop a professional relationship based on our 50 years of collective experience. Throughout these last five decades, we have defended clients in same sex relationships with the same fervor we bring to every other case. Every attorney in our office is ready to help you.

LGBT persons who failed to register a domestic partnership often think they have little legal recourse when their relationship fails, but we know how to protect their rights when it comes to property division. Property and assets acquired throughout the unregistered partnership are still subject to division according to the law. This includes savings accounts, retirement accounts, and real estate.

Dealing with the failure of any once-loving relationship is never easy, so it's vital that you seek reliable counsel from experienced Tacoma gay divorce attorneys who can help you take the next step in your new life.

Our Pierce County gay divorce attorneys offer a free consultation. Now is the time to find out how a same-sex dissolution or divorce will affect your finances, and we have the answers you’re looking for. This is an excellent opportunity to speak with a qualified Tacoma same-sex divorce attorney who will fight to protect your interests, and cares about the end result.