Divorce affects much more than your marital status. It can determine what happens to your home, retirement accounts, investments, business interests, income, debts, and parenting arrangements. In the beginning of the divorce process there is almost always a breakdown of previously established trust between the divorcing spouses. At Harbor Family Law, our clients are seeking both the protection of their rights and someone they can rely on to guide them through what can be a very difficult, and at times, overwhelming process.
At Harbor Family Law we will strive for an amicable resolution to divorce cases to save our clients the emotional and financial strain that can accompany a contentious divorce. For many couples, reaching an agreement is possible through negotiation or mediation. Unfortunately, amicable resolutions are not always possible. In the event we cannot work with the other party for an agreed resolution, we will vigorously litigate on behalf of our clients to ensure their rights are fully protected and they experience the best possible result.
The Divorce Case
Divorce is a legal process wherein one spouse asks the court to dissolve their marriage. It is synonymous with dissolution of marriage. The divorce process can involve many important considerations, such as:
- The division of all assets belonging to the parties
- The division of all debts owed by the parties
- Spousal support (maintenance)
- Custody of any minor children
- Child support for any minor children
- Payment of post-secondary educational expenses for children
- Any necessary restraining orders
- Payment of attorney’s fees
No two situations are the same, and there is no universal formula that can be applied to any given case to determine an appropriate result. Because of this, it is very important to have an experienced attorney on your side to make sure all issues are resolved, and all rights are protected.
At Harbor Family Law, we will fully explain the process, and what you can reasonably expect as you go through the divorce process at our initial consultation. Of course, the process can be unpredictable at times, but we always keep our clients completely informed to limit the impact of any surprises. We handle all aspects of the case, from communicating with the court and the opposing party, to acquiring information and documentation from third parties, if necessary, and appearing in court on behalf of our clients.
What Does a Divorce Lawyer in Gig Harbor Do?
A divorce lawyer helps you understand your legal position, identify the issues that need to be resolved, and handle the legal process from the initial filing through final orders. That work can begin before a divorce petition is filed. During an initial consultation, an attorney may review the marriage, children, income, property, debts, existing agreements, and the circumstances leading to the separation.
A divorce attorney can then assist with:
- Preparing and filing divorce documents
- Responding to a spouse’s petition
- Serving or responding to legal papers
- Gathering financial information
- Negotiating property and debt division
- Addressing child custody and parenting plans
- Negotiating or litigating spousal maintenance
- Participating in mediation
- Preparing for hearings and trial
- Drafting final divorce orders and settlement agreements
How Does Divorce Work in Washington State?
A Washington divorce, legally called a dissolution of marriage, generally begins when one spouse files a Petition for Divorce and other required documents with the court. Washington provides statewide divorce forms through its court system, although local courts can have additional requirements.
Washington also has a 90-day minimum waiting period before a divorce can be finalized. The waiting period does not mean every divorce takes exactly 90 days. If spouses disagree about property, debts, parenting, support, or other issues, the case can take substantially longer. The parties may negotiate during this period, exchange financial information, attend mediation, request temporary orders, or prepare for trial.
If the spouses reach an agreement, the terms can be incorporated into the final orders. If they cannot agree, the unresolved issues may ultimately be decided by the court.
How Are Assets and Debts Divided in a Gig Harbor Divorce?
Property division can become one of the most financially significant parts of a divorce. Washington law does not simply require every marital asset and debt to be divided 50/50. Under RCW 26.09.080, the court considers both community and separate property and makes a disposition that is “just and equitable.” The statute specifically directs courts to consider the nature and extent of the property, the length of the marriage, and each spouse’s economic circumstances, among other relevant factors.
Assets and liabilities may include:
- The marital home and other real estate
- Retirement and pension accounts
- Investment accounts and securities
- Bank accounts
- Business ownership interests
- Stock options or other compensation
- Vehicles and valuable personal property
- Mortgages, credit cards, and other debts
- Tax liabilities
The distinction between community and separate property can also require careful analysis. Property acquired during a marriage may be treated differently from property owned before marriage or acquired separately under circumstances recognized by Washington law. Commingling funds or changing the character of an asset can make the analysis more complicated.
Harbor Family Law handles property and debt division in divorce cases throughout the Pierce County area and specifically addresses high-asset cases involving substantial property and financial interests. Spousal maintenance can also affect the financial outcome of a divorce. Washington law allows courts to award maintenance after considering factors such as the requesting spouse’s financial resources, the standard of living during the marriage, the duration of the marriage, and each spouse’s ability to meet financial obligations.
What Happens in a High-Asset or High-Conflict Divorce?
A divorce becomes more complicated when the financial picture is difficult to establish or when the spouses cannot agree on major issues.
High-asset cases can involve multiple properties, business interests, investment portfolios, substantial retirement accounts, executive compensation, or other financial interests. Valuing those assets and determining whether property is community or separate can require detailed financial analysis.
Harbor Family Law’s high-asset divorce practice identifies issues such as multiple homes, businesses, investment portfolios, hidden assets, retirement accounts, and financial valuation. The firm also states that it works with forensic accountants, business appraisers, and tax specialists in complex financial cases.
Forensic accounting can be particularly relevant when there are questions about whether all income, accounts, or assets have been disclosed. A forensic accountant may analyze financial records to trace funds, evaluate income, identify discrepancies, or help determine the value of an interest.
Harbor Family Law maintains separate resources for high-asset divorce, complex high-asset divorces, and forensic accounting.
Litigation can involve the filing of motions for temporary orders, which may cover things like the use of property, payment of debts, spousal support, residential schedule for children and child support. Litigation also involves discovery, which may include interrogatories and requests for production of documents, depositions, subpoenas, motions to compel the other party to comply with the discovery process, if applicable, and pre-trial conferences. Most divorce cases resolve by agreement, but if that is not possible, the last stage of litigation is trial. At Harbor Family Law we have extensive trial experience and can effectively represent you in a trial.
When Should You Hire a Divorce Attorney Near You?
You do not necessarily need to wait until a divorce becomes contentious before speaking with a lawyer. An early consultation can help you understand what information to gather and what decisions can have long-term financial or parenting consequences.
This can be especially relevant when:
- You or your spouse owns a business.
- You have significant real estate or investment assets.
- You have substantial retirement accounts.
- You disagree about how property should be divided.
- You believe assets or income may not be fully disclosed.
- You are seeking or expect a claim for spousal maintenance.
- You and your spouse disagree about parenting arrangements.
- Your spouse has already hired an attorney.
- The divorce involves substantial financial interests.
- Communication with your spouse has become highly contentious.
For people searching for a divorce attorney near you, location can also matter when the case involves local court procedures and repeated hearings, mediation, or other proceedings.
How Much Does a Divorce Attorney Cost in Gig Harbor?
There is no single price for a divorce attorney because the amount of legal work can vary substantially from case to case. A relatively straightforward, uncontested divorce may require less attorney time than a contested case involving extensive discovery, multiple properties, a business, disputed custody, or a trial.
Managing Your Divorce Case in A Cost-Effective Manner
We focus our practice exclusively on family law. This narrow focus has allowed us to develop not only extensive knowledge in the area of family law, but also business practices making us as efficient as possible. In turn, this keeps our clients’ costs to a minimum while maintaining a high level of representation. We cannot guarantee the cost of fees involved in any legal case; however, all our work is performed with the goal of being effective and efficient.
Why Choose a Local Divorce Lawyer Near Me?
Selecting a divorce attorney near Gig Harbor, WA offers several distinct advantages:
- Familiarity with local courts and procedures: Our divorce attorneys possess in-depth knowledge of the Pierce County Superior Court system, including the specific rules, procedures, and tendencies of local judges. This familiarity can be invaluable in streamlining the legal process and anticipating potential challenges.
- Convenience and accessibility: Having a divorce attorney nearby allows for easier scheduling of meetings, court appearances, and document exchanges.
- Understanding of community values: As active members of the Gig Harbor community, our team understands local values and nuances that can sometimes influence divorce proceedings.
- Established professional network: Our firm has cultivated relationships with other professionals in the Gig Harbor area, such as financial advisors, therapists, and real estate agents.
Why Choose Harbor Family Law for Your Gig Harbor Divorce?
Harbor Family Law focuses exclusively on family law rather than practicing across unrelated areas of law. Chris Maharry, Anthony J. Zorich, Jr., and Nicole Pryor bring decades of combined experience to Harbor Family Law Group, offering skilled representation in complex family law matters, spousal maintenance, high-conflict custody, and high-asset divorce.
The firm handles both negotiated and litigated family-law matters. That allows a case to begin with negotiation or mediation without assuming that settlement will be possible. When an agreement cannot protect a client’s interests, litigation may become necessary.
Client testimonials provide additional information about people’s experiences with the firm. These testimonials are individual client experiences and should not be interpreted as guarantees about the outcome of another case. You can review additional Harbor Family Law client testimonials to learn more about individual client experiences.
Area of Coverage
We serve clients in divorce cases throughout the Pierce, Kitsap, and South King County areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a divorce take in Washington State?
Washington has a minimum 90-day waiting period before a divorce can be finalized. The 90 days runs after the required filing and service steps have been completed. That does not mean every divorce is finished in 90 days. Disputes over property, parenting, support, financial information, or other issues can extend the case considerably.
Does Washington automatically split marital property 50/50 in a divorce?
No. Washington law calls for a “just and equitable” disposition of community and separate property and liabilities after considering relevant factors. The final division therefore depends on the circumstances of the particular marriage rather than an automatic mathematical 50/50 division.
What happens if my spouse is hiding assets during a divorce?
Financial disclosure and discovery can be used to investigate the marital financial picture. Depending on the circumstances, a complex case may involve review of tax returns, bank records, investment accounts, business records, property records, and other documents. Forensic accounting may also be appropriate when there are questions about undisclosed assets, income, or financial transactions.
Should I hire a divorce lawyer if my spouse already has an attorney?
You may benefit from having your own attorney review the situation, particularly if your spouse has legal representation and you are being asked to sign an agreement or respond to legal documents. An attorney can explain your options, identify issues that may require additional financial or legal analysis, and help you evaluate proposed agreements. You can also discuss whether negotiation, mediation, or litigation is appropriate based on the circumstances of your case.
If you are considering divorce in Gig Harbor, Harbor Family Law offers family-law representation from its Gig Harbor office. The firm’s practice includes divorce, high-asset and complex divorce, property division, forensic accounting, spousal maintenance, and related family-law matters.
