Family challenges can be some of the most emotional and life-altering experiences a person faces. Whether you’re preparing for marriage, navigating a divorce, or fighting for time with your children, having the right legal advocate can make all the difference.
At Harbor Family Law, our family law attorney near me law firm provides compassionate, practical guidance designed to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. We approach every case with professionalism and care, offering solutions that protect your future and the people you love most.
If you’re ready to discuss your options, contact our family law attorneys near you for a confidential consultation today.
Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements
Planning for the future doesn’t mean expecting the worst. It just means protecting what you’ve worked hard to build. Prenuptial agreements (prenups) and postnuptial agreements (postnups) allow couples to clarify financial rights and obligations, ensuring peace of mind no matter what happens later.
Prenups are signed before marriage, while postnups are executed after. Both documents outline how property, income, and debts will be divided in the event of divorce, separation, or death. They also help set expectations and avoid costly disputes down the road.
Our family law attorneys draft, review, and negotiate these agreements with the highest level of discretion. We help you create fair, legally binding arrangements that protect your personal and financial interests while strengthening transparency in your relationship.
Why You Should Consider a Prenup or Postnup
Many couples hesitate to discuss prenuptial or postnuptial agreements because they fear it signals a lack of trust. In reality, these agreements are tools for open communication and long-term stability.
Here are some key reasons to consider one:
- Protect Separate Property: Safeguard assets you owned before marriage, including inheritances or business interests.
- Clarify Debt Responsibility: Define who is responsible for current or future debts.
- Simplify Future Proceedings: In case of separation, having clear terms reduces stress and expenses.
- Provide Certainty for Children: Ensure financial security for children from previous relationships.
At Harbor Family Law, our local family lawyers tailor each agreement to reflect your values, ensuring both fairness and enforceability.
Legal Separations and Divorce
Sometimes couples aren’t ready for divorce but need space to reorganize their finances and parenting arrangements. A legal separation allows spouses to live apart while addressing issues like property division, child custody, and spousal support without officially ending the marriage.
When reconciliation isn’t possible, a divorce (dissolution of marriage) may be the next step. Our family law attorneys handle every aspect of the process, from filing and serving documents to negotiating settlements and appearing in court. We’ll guide you through the emotional and logistical challenges, focusing on your rights and long-term security.
Grounds for Separation or Divorce
Washington is a no-fault divorce state, meaning neither spouse needs to prove wrongdoing. The only required ground is that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.”
Still, circumstances like infidelity, financial misconduct, or abuse can affect how the court divides property or determines custody.
Our family lawyers provide clear counsel on how Washington’s laws apply to your unique situation and ensure that your voice is heard throughout the process.
Division of Property
One of the most complex parts of separation or divorce is dividing marital assets. Washington follows community property law, meaning that assets and debts acquired during the marriage generally belong to both spouses equally.
However, equitable distribution doesn’t always mean a 50/50 split. Courts can divide assets based on fairness, considering factors such as earning capacity, contributions to the marriage, and future financial needs.
Our Gig Harbor family law attorneys carefully identify and classify property as either community or separate, ensuring you receive your rightful share. We work with financial experts to value homes, businesses, retirement accounts, and investments accurately, reducing the chance of post-divorce disputes.
Collaborative Divorce
A collaborative divorce offers an alternative to traditional courtroom litigation. Both spouses and their attorneys agree to resolve issues outside of court, using open communication and mutual respect to reach a fair outcome. This process often saves time, money, and emotional strain, especially for families with children.
At Harbor Family Law, our lawyers are experienced in collaborative law techniques. We facilitate productive conversations, helping couples make informed decisions on property, parenting, and financial matters in a dignified environment. This method also allows families to retain more control over the final agreements rather than leaving decisions entirely in the hands of a judge.
If collaboration fails, you still retain the right to pursue litigation with a new attorney, but most cases settle successfully through this approach.
Spousal Maintenance (Alimony)
Spousal maintenance, commonly known as alimony, ensures that both parties maintain financial stability after a divorce or separation. It’s not automatic; courts consider factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse’s income, health, and ability to become self-supporting.
For example, one spouse may have paused their career to raise children or support the other’s education. Maintenance can help them regain footing as they rebuild financial independence.
Our attorneys advocate for fair and reasonable outcomes, whether you’re seeking support or defending against excessive demands. We also assist clients in modifying or enforcing existing spousal maintenance orders when life circumstances change.
Child Custody
Nothing is more important than your relationship with your children. Washington courts base custody decisions on the best interests of the child, prioritizing stability, safety, and strong parent-child relationships.
Our family lawyers in Gig Harbor help parents create parenting plans that reflect these priorities. We encourage cooperation and flexibility whenever possible, but when disagreements arise, we’re prepared to litigate to protect your rights.
We also guide parents through complex issues such as relocation requests, schedule adjustments, and communication challenges, ensuring that every aspect of the plan supports the child’s long-term well-being.
Types of Custody
- Legal Custody: The authority to make major decisions about a child’s health, education, and welfare.
- Physical Custody: Determines where the child primarily lives.
Parents often share custody, but courts may grant sole custody to one parent if the other poses a risk or is unable to provide a stable environment.
Our attorneys help you present evidence and craft plans that ensure your children’s emotional and physical well-being remain front and center.
Parenting Plans and Visitation
A clear, detailed parenting plan outlines how children divide time between parents, including school schedules, holidays, and vacations.
Our attorneys work closely with parents to design plans that minimize conflict and serve the child’s best interests. If one parent violates a plan, we can help you pursue enforcement or modifications through the court system.
We also represent parents in relocation cases and situations involving parental alienation, ensuring that custody and visitation remain fair and consistent with Washington law.
Child Support Payments
Raising children requires ongoing financial support from both parents. In Washington, child support is calculated using state guidelines that consider each parent’s income, healthcare costs, childcare, and educational needs.
Our family law attorneys help parents establish initial support orders and ensure they reflect accurate income figures. We also handle modifications when financial circumstances change, whether due to job loss, promotion, or medical expenses.
We understand that every family’s needs are unique. Our goal is to ensure that children receive adequate support without placing undue financial strain on either parent.
Enforcing Late Child Support Payments
When a parent fails to make required child support payments, it can create financial hardship and emotional distress.
We can help you enforce existing orders through wage garnishment, property liens, or contempt of court proceedings if necessary. We also explore solutions to help non-paying parents get back on track, reducing conflict while ensuring compliance with the law.
Timely enforcement not only protects your child’s well-being but also reinforces accountability and fairness for both parents.
Domestic Violence and Family Law
Domestic violence has a devastating impact on families, and the legal system takes these matters extremely seriously. Survivors often need immediate protection and long-term solutions to ensure their safety and that of their children.
Our family attorneys can help you obtain protection orders, secure temporary custody, and navigate the emotional and legal complexities that follow an abusive relationship. Every step we take prioritizes your safety, dignity, and stability.
Potential Effects on Alimony and Child Custody
Allegations or proof of domestic violence can significantly affect a court’s decisions regarding child custody and spousal maintenance. Judges may restrict or deny visitation to the abusive parent and adjust financial support accordingly.
At Harbor Family Law, we handle these cases with utmost sensitivity and discretion, protecting victims while ensuring that the truth is fully presented in court. If you’ve been falsely accused, we’ll help you defend your rights and rebuild your reputation.
Adoption Services
Expanding your family through adoption is a joyful but legally complex process. Whether you’re adopting a stepchild, relative, or child through an agency, we can guide you through every stage: paperwork, court filings, and final hearings.
We handle stepparent adoptions, domestic adoptions, and private placements, ensuring compliance with Washington’s adoption laws and protecting the rights of both biological and adoptive parents. Our team works to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible, so you can focus on welcoming your new family member with confidence and love.
Why Locals Choose Gig Harbor Family Law
Harbor Family Law can help you get through all of the difficulties associated with a family law dispute. You have a lot of choices when looking for family law firms near you, but here’s what sets our local family law attorneys apart:
- We have more than 40 years of combined legal experience
- We are members of the Washington State Bar Association, the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, the King County Bar Association, and the Collaborative Law Professionals of Pierce County
- Attorneys Chris D. Maharry and Anthony J. Zorich, Jr. (Tony) are both from Washington and have strong ties to the state and its people
Contact Our Gig Harbor Family Law Attorney Near Me Law Firm
Family matters require more than legal knowledge—they demand empathy, clarity, and steadfast support. At Harbor Family Law, we’re committed to helping clients across the Greater Puget Sound Area, including Pierce County and Kitsap County, find effective solutions to even the toughest family challenges.
To schedule a confidential consultation and get the guidance you need, contact our Gig Harbor family law attorneys near you.
FAQs About Family Law in Gig Harbor, WA
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Legal Separation or Divorce?
Yes. Even if your case seems straightforward, an attorney ensures your rights are protected and your agreements meet legal standards—especially concerning property and custody.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Divorce in Washington?
The state requires a 90-day waiting period after filing, but most cases take several months to a year, depending on complexity and cooperation between spouses.
Can Child Custody Orders Be Changed?
Yes. If circumstances change significantly (like relocation or income variation) either parent can request a modification through the court.
How Is Child Support Calculated?
Courts use Washington’s Child Support Schedule, factoring in income, number of children, healthcare, and daycare costs to ensure fairness.
What If My Ex Isn’t Paying Child Support?
We can file motions for enforcement, pursue wage garnishment, and ensure back payments are collected. Non-payment can also lead to legal penalties.
What Is the Difference Between a Prenup and a Postnup?
A prenup is signed before marriage, while a postnup is created afterward. Both define how assets and debts will be handled in case of divorce.
Is Collaborative Divorce Cheaper Than Litigation?
Often yes. Because it avoids court battles, collaborative divorce reduces legal fees and emotional strain while promoting cooperative solutions.
What Rights Do Stepparents Have in Washington?
Stepparents can petition for adoption or visitation in some cases, especially when they have played a long-term parental role in the child’s life.
Can Domestic Violence Affect Alimony?
Yes. Courts may increase or deny spousal maintenance based on findings of abuse, prioritizing the victim’s safety and financial recovery.
