Get the honest legal support you need during the dissolution of your marriage.
Divorces can be extremely difficult and emotionally exhausting. The beginning of the divorce process often involves a breakdown of trust, and you may feel overwhelmed without the support of a compassionate divorce attorney Gig Harbor WA law firm on your side.
At Harbor Family Law, we provide clients from Pierce County and surrounding communities with stability as they navigate an often delicate and complicated legal process. When possible, we will strive for an amicable resolution. If we cannot work amicably with your ex, we will vigorously litigate matters on your behalf, protecting your rights while seeking the best possible outcomes.
To discuss your situation with trusted Gig Harbor divorce attorneys near you, contact Harbor Family Law today. You can also reach our divorce attorneys by phone at 253-364-4481.
Do I Need Grounds for Divorce in the State of Washington?
No. Washington is a no-fault divorce state, which means that there does not have to be a reason to file for a divorce. You only need to demonstrate that there are irreconcilable differences or the marriage is irretrievably broken.
What Does “Irretrievable Breakdown” of a Marriage Mean?
“Irretrievable breakdown” and “irretrievably broken” essentially mean that there is no chance for the couple to reconcile.
Both spouses do not have to agree that their marriage is irretrievably broken for a divorce to proceed. However, a disagreement over the state of the marriage can slow down the divorce process and make the proceedings more difficult and contentious.
How Long Does a Divorce Take in Washington?
If both parties have an amicable divorce and come to an agreement on all terms regarding property division, child custody, and any necessary support payments, a divorce can be completed in as little as 91 days. This allows the mandatory 90-day cooling period to pass once divorce papers have been filed and served per Revised Code of Washington (RCW) § 26.09.030.
A fast and amicable divorce is not always possible, obviously, which is why many divorces usually take about a year or longer.
What About Annulment?
Annulment is a different situation that declares a marriage invalid and renders it null and void. An annulment may be sought if one or both spouses are underage, one or both spouses is already married (bigamy), the spouses are related to one another (incest), or if the marriage involved fraud or coercion.
Why Choose Harbor Family Law for Your Divorce
There are plenty of reasons why people come to Harbor Family Law for help. Our legal practice has proudly served individuals and households in Pierce County, King County, Thurston County, and Mason County for over 20 years.
More Than 40 Years of Combined Legal Experience
Attorneys Chris D. Maharry and Anthony J. Zorich, Jr. (Tony) bring more than four decades of combined legal experience to every case. They focus closely on the needs of each client, offering clear and thoughtful guidance through a challenging period of time.
Strong Reputations in the Legal Profession
Our lawyers have built strong reputations in the Puget Sound legal community as well as meaningful relationships with past family law clients. In addition to accolades through Avvo and Super Lawyers, our attorneys are proud to be affiliated with the following legal organizations:
- The Washington State Bar Association
- The Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association
- The King County Bar Association
- The Collaborative Law Professionals of Pierce County
Strong Ties to Washington State and the Pacific Northwest
Both Chris and Tony are from Washington. Chris grew up in Port Orchard and went to Seattle University School of Law. Tony grew up in the greater Seattle area and went to Gonzaga University School of Law. They both know what people in the Puget Sound need when it comes to family law services and peace of mind.
Contact Our Pierce County Divorce Attorneys in Gig Harbor, WA
Don’t go into a divorce alone. Hiring an attorney you can trust can save you time and money and spare you from making costly mistakes. The team at Harbor Family Law is ready to help. To speak with experienced divorce lawyers near you, contact our Gig Harbor family law firm.
Should I Get Legally Separated or Divorced?
A legal separation may sound like a divorce, but it is something else entirely. While legal separations also involve dividing property, child custody and visitation arrangements, and potential spousal or child support payments, separated couples can stay on a spouse’s insurance but cannot remarry.
Each situation is different. Our family law attorneys in Gig Harbor can discuss the differences between a divorce and separation in more detail and help you determine the right option for your needs.
Division of Property in a Divorce
There are many disputes that arise over the division of property in a divorce. When discussing property division, it’s important to distinguish between separate and community property.
- Separate Property – Per RCW § 26.16.010, separate property refers to any assets a person had before marriage and any assets a spouse received as a gift or through inheritance.
- Community Property – Per RCW § 26.16.030, community property refers to any assets a married couple acquires during the marriage. This is also known as marital property in some states.
Only community property is divided in a divorce, while each spouse will retain their separate property.
Debts Are Also Divided in a Divorce
Community property also refers to any debts a couple accrued during the marriage. Sometimes a former spouse may take on more debt if they also receive more assets in a divorce.
The Role of Prenuptial Agreements
If a married couple has a prenuptial agreement or post-marital agreement (postnup), these legally binding documents can be consulted to assist with the division of assets and debts. These can be particularly useful to avoid major disputes.
Problems Posed by Commingled Assets
If you and your spouse have been married for a while, there’s often a point when separate assets become shared. During a divorce, it can become difficult to distinguish between separate property and community property. This is known as commingled property.
If you have disputes over commingled property, our divorce lawyers can help figure out a solution that makes the most sense based on the nature of the property and who is receiving other assets and debts. Sometimes it’s as easy as looking at the prenup or postnup.
Property Division Challenges in a High-Asset Divorce
In high-asset divorces, couples may have multiple real estate properties, business ventures, stocks and investments, crypto and other digital assets, and retirement accounts that may be under dispute. Even if there is a prenup or postnup, the validity of these documents could be called into question given what’s at stake.
Our divorce lawyers can help couples who have high-value assets that need to be divided during the divorce process. We can discuss the possibility of forensic accounting services to address any complex financial issues that arise during your divorce.
Spousal Maintenance (Alimony Payments)
In some divorces and separations, one spouse may owe the other spouse financial support. This is known as spousal maintenance (alimony payments). These spousal support payments are usually given to the spouse who put their career or education on hold in order to be a homemaker or stay-at-home parent.
The duration and amount of spousal maintenance can be a major point of contention during a divorce, even if there’s language in a prenup about it. The attorneys at Harbor Family Law can assist in addressing alimony disputes and also help you seek late spousal support payments as needed.
Discuss Your Divorce with Our Gig Harbor Family Lawyers
Property division can lead to a lot of heated arguments during a divorce. The team at Harbor Family Law is here to offer guidance and be your advocate. To discuss your situation with dedicated divorce attorneys near you, contact our Gig Harbor family lawyers.
Child Custody After a Divorce
If you and your spouse have children, you’ll need to work out a custody arrangement together. This will ensure the best interests of your child as you attempt to co-parent. If you run into any disputes over child custody after divorce, our attorneys will be here to offer guidance.
Types of Child Custody
When it comes to custody, it’s worth considering legal and physical custody.
- Legal Custody – Legal custody is the ability to make decisions about the upbringing and welfare of your child, such as where they go to school, medical and dental care, religious practice, and so forth.
- Physical Custody – Physical custody is where the child gets to live. Usually the time is divided evenly between parents and their respective households.
The parent who has physical custody of the child more is known as the custodial parent. The other parent is known as the non-custodial parent.
Reasons Why a Parent May Get Full/Sole Child Custody
Parents often have joint custody of children, meaning that they share in decision-making responsibilities. Sometimes one parent may be awarded sole custody or full custody of their child, meaning their child lives with them and they have all decision-making authority.
Usually a parent is given full custody of a child if the other parent is dangerous, absent, or otherwise unfit to raise children. The best interests of the child become the guiding principle in these kinds of cases.
Child Visitation and Parenting Plans
Whether a parent has primary physical custody of a child or there is shared physical custody, it’s important for exes to create a parenting plan and child visitation arrangement. This will help determine who has the kids when and for how long. If any adjustments need to be made based on changing circumstances, we can help with modifications to an existing parenting plan.
Disagreements over parenting time or disputes over scheduled visits can arise between parents. There’s also the danger of parental alienation, in which one parent manipulates a child to dislike or distrust the other parent. Whenever a problem comes up with your rights as a parent or your ability to parent, our divorce lawyers in Gig Harbor can help.
Child Support Payments After a Divorce
Child support payments are another aspect of a divorce when a couple has minor children. This is monetary support from the non-custodial parent paid to the custodial parent. Payments are intended to cover the costs associated with raising a child, such as food, shelter, clothing, extracurricular activities, and other necessities.
When financial situations change for better or for worse, it’s possible to have child custody payment amounts altered. Our lawyers can help divorced couples modify child support orders or even seek late child support payments.
Speak with Our Gig Harbor Divorce Attorneys About Your Case
Whether you live in Pierce County, King County, Thurston County, or Mason County, the team at Harbor Family Law is here to help. We look out for parents and their kids here in the Puget Sound. To discuss your situation with caring divorce lawyers near you, contact our Gig Harbor family law attorneys.
Divorce and Domestic Violence
In a divorce, domestic violence and spousal abuse allegations can greatly affect the final decision of the court. If you’re accused of domestic violence or child abuse, you may not be permitted to visit your child or only be allowed supervised visitation. It could also affect how a judge considers other aspects of the divorce.
Whether you’re a domestic violence survivor trying to do what’s best for your child and your future or someone who’s been falsely accused of spousal abuse, our divorce lawyers in Gig Harbor can offer support and legal counsel. We will always approach family law domestic violence cases with the utmost care and sensitivity.
Divorce for Same-Sex Couples
Harbor Family Law looks out for everyone around the Puget Sound. That means handling divorces for same-sex couples in Washington as well as any issues regarding child custody and child support for same-sex parents. When working with same-sex couples on family law matters, our attorneys provide the same level of care, attention, and discretion that we would to straight couples in the region.
For older LGBTQ+ couples who are getting divorced, that could also mean ending a State Registered Domestic Partnership (SRDP). We’re more than happy to explain why this may be necessary and what steps are involved.
Collaborative Divorce and Mediation
Not all divorces have to wind up in court. There are ways for exes to cooperate with one another. These cooperative forms of family law spare feelings and can also save everyone time and money in the process.
How Does Collaborative Divorce Work?
Collaborative law in a divorce means that both spouses and their attorneys meet together directly to discuss matters. Through direct communication, the goal is to make compromises and reach a mutually agreeable and beneficial outcome.
How Does Divorce Mediation Work?
During divorce mediation, a disinterested third party known as a mediator is involved. The mediator acts as a go-between for the spouses and their lawyers, allowing each side to convey their thoughts through the mediator while avoiding heated conflict. The goal is similarly to arrive at a mutually agreeable compromise.
Going Through a Divorce? Contact Harbor Family Law Today
No matter where you’re located around the Puget Sound, you can rely on our divorce attorney Gig Harbor WA law firm at Harbor Family Law. We’re ready to offer guidance and support through amicable divorces as well as fraught and complicated ones. To discuss your situation with experienced divorce lawyers near you, contact our family law office in Gig Harbor, WA. You can also reach our law office by phone at 253-364-4481.
