When your family needs legal support, contact the experienced, specialized team at Harbor Family Law. We dedicate ourselves to mediating a wide range of family law issues, including divorce, legal separation, child custody disputes, child support disputes, prenuptial agreements, adoption, paternity matters, domestic violence, and more. We are committed to providing each client with assertive, compassionate, and personalized legal support that delivers results when it matters most.
We support our client’s best interests through mediation and collaboration to find resolutions. We understand the importance of strategic planning and strong negotiations when mediation fails to be amicable. We pursue positive resolutions for our clients without the familial emotional connections that can create arguments and unproductive communications.
Benefits of Working With a Family Law Attorney in Port Orchard
At Harbor Family Law we are here to help you best meet your family’s needs. Using extensive knowledge of Washington family law, we will work with you to strategize for your family’s future and will provide open communication with you throughout the process of working together. Our emphasis on mediation and collaboration allows us to serve as a liaison to diffuse emotionally charged situations that families can experience when dealing with situations like divorce and discussions surrounding child custody.
Attorneys Chris D. Maharry, Anthony J. Zorich, and Bryon Guymon value honesty and communication and strive to make clients feel comfortable. As your best support and advocate, they will work to resolve any challenges that may arise, helping you understand the process and seeking the best possible outcome for you. Our first priority is our client, but we strive to keep our focus on amicable communications and a respectful resolution. If possible, this approach typically leads to the best emotional and financial resolutions for partners and their children.
The biggest asset in working with our family lawyers is having assistance understanding the legal processes, filing paperwork efficiently and without mistakes, and knowing from experience the best way to approach specific situations. An example would be how a family law lawyer can assist in high-asset divorces and work to ensure that there are no hidden divorce assets. Navigating through the process of ensuring the best outcome for yourself and any children is much easier with the support of a family attorney.
Your Legal Advocate Pursuing a Divorce in Washington
Deciding to dissolve your marriage can be frustrating, confusing, and overwhelming. If you are in the midst of a separation and pursuing a divorce in Port Orchard, Washington, or the surrounding areas, you need a legal advocate at your side. At Harbor Family Law, we will provide the legal guidance to protect your rights and understand the options regarding your finances, children, home, and safety. Get in touch with us to arrange a consultation and take the next step in your life’s journey.
Every divorce case is unique depending on the situation bringing about the divorce, the types of assets belonging to the parties, the types of debts owed by the parties, custody of any minor children, child support for any minor children, spousal support, and other important considerations. Having an experienced family law attorney on your side will make sure your rights are protected, and important pieces like filing important paperwork are handled properly. We will keep you informed at all times of what is happening and what you can expect as you go through the divorce process.
At Harbor Family Law, we will handle all important communications with the court and the opposing party. Washington is a no-fault divorce state, meaning no proof of marital misconduct is needed to file. If your divorce case cannot be resolved by agreement, litigation may be required, and we will appear in court on your behalf.
Legal Separation Cases
Divorce and legal separation are similar but separation does not require a 90-day waiting period and does not allow parties to legally remarry. Division of assets and debts, spousal support, custody, and child support for minor children, necessary restraining orders, and other facets of the legal processes are the same. When you meet with a representative from Harbor Family Law, we can walk you through the options you have and what might be best for your unique situation. As with divorce, it is important to have an experienced legal representative on your side to make sure your rights are protected and resolved in the most amicable way possible.
Disputing Child Custody
Child custody can become an important issue in many types of family law cases, including divorce, legal separation, or even unmarried partners splitting up. Emotions can be extremely high in cases like these, which is why it is essential to have trusted family attorneys to help with your custody case. Our goal is to provide the facts to the parents to allow them to negotiate what is best for the child and secondarily, what is best for them as individuals as well.
The two types of child custody in Washington state include joint custody and sole custody. Joint custody allows equal custody rights for both parents and allows them to have a negotiation regarding the timing, schooling, and overall living situation of the child or children involved. Sole custody grants one parent only the primary care, and the other parent will then have to negotiate visitation rights if allowed. We have extensive experience with child custody law in a wide variety of situations, including representing parents seeking to remove their child or children from the care of an abusive parent, as well as parents who have been falsely accused of abuse. No matter what the situation, we provide a professional and focused approach to building your custody case.
We have created numerous custody orders covering parenting plans, residential schedules, and non-parental visitation orders. If you are trying to negotiate a shared residential schedule, seeking restrictions on the other parent’s access, or looking for an every-other-weekend plan, we have the expertise to craft a custody order tailored to your ideal requirements. Our focus is on presenting the strongest case possible to help our clients achieve their child custody goals.
Dealing with a Child Support Dispute
Just like other family law disputes, trying to come to an agreement regarding child support can be especially difficult. Washington State’s child support laws help this by providing a guesswork-free formulaic approach to settling child support. This is based on the calculation of incomes, any special needs of a child involved, payment of health insurance, residential schedule of the child or children, and the payment of other expenses such as extracurricular or school activities. You can still benefit greatly from the mediation and support of our family law lawyers however, as there are many unique facets of individual cases that can affect the amount you need to pay or should receive.
In 2019, Washington Courts removed the age requirements for child support, leaving the basic support amount the same regardless of the child’s age. If you finalized your divorce settlement before January 1, 2019, these new regulations could impact the amount of child support you are due to receive. There is no time limit on filing for this amendment, so check to see if you are eligible for updates. Our team of family law attorneys in Port Orchard keeps track of important law updates like this to ensure you are agreeing to the most up-to-date and beneficial arrangements for you and your family.
The welfare of the child should always come first, and if a parent attempts to bypass their legal requirement to pay child support, you can take action. Our firm can assist in a variety of ways, including the Washington Wage Garnishment or income withholding order, contempt of court hearings, and suspension of a license (driver’s, professional, or recreational license). If you are in need of help enforcing payment of child support, contact our law firm to discuss options available to you.
Prenuptial Agreements and Post-Marital Agreements
It becoming more common for people to enter into a prenuptial contract before getting married. This document pre-determines how debts and assets will be divided in the event of divorce, legal separation, annulment, or the death of a spouse. In the situation of a couple that makes these agreements after marriage, the contract is referred to as a post-marital or postnuptial agreement.
Prenuptial contracts do not have to be drafted by a family law attorney, but for the best chance at possibly enforcing them later, it is wise to rely on the experience and knowledge of a lawyer. Lack of detail or dishonest representation, particularly in amounts and types of assets, can cause trouble and sometimes make the prenup wholly or partially unenforceable. The most important point is that both parties are agreeing to the prenup knowingly, voluntarily, and free of duress.
Getting legal advice is helpful if you are considering drafting a prenuptial agreement, but it is especially valuable if you have children from a prior relationship, have debts or unresolved legal issues, or own a business or property. Our Washington family law attorneys will help you understand your rights and how you can best protect them and your relationship moving forward.
Family Law Attorneys Can Assist With Adoption
If your family is looking to expand through the process of adoption, you should first seek the support of a lawyer from Harbor Family Law. Attorney Chris Maharry has been practicing family law in the South Sound for nearly two decades and is passionate about bringing families together through adoption. Let us help take the worry and confusion out of the process and help you through this process.
In Washington state, anyone older than 18, who is legally competent, and passes adoption assessments is able to apply for adoption. There are no requirements regarding marital status, homeownership, or sexual orientation. The process for adoption includes undergoing a background check, submitting to a home review, and providing proof of financial stability and ability to care for a child. You may also be required to undergo foster parent training or a similar process.
What to Look For When Hiring a Family Lawer
Dealing with issues of family law, it is important to hire legal representation that is experienced, compassionate, and the right fit for your budget. Finding a reputable lawyer who has been established in the field of family law and who has skills in both mediation and negotiation is important. At Harbor Family Law, we strive first to find an amicable resolution for both parties if possible and will work to resolve conflict instead of giving that control to the court system.
Finding a lawyer who connects with you and your unique family situation is important. You need to look for a law firm that prioritizes compassion and works towards family resolution more than striving for the biggest win. The best win in any family law case is when the family is able to negotiate peacefully, amicably, and with the best way forward in mind, whether that is separation or finding a resolution to their issues and staying together.
When hiring a family lawyer, it is also important to consider the costs. Look for a law firm that specializes in family law and comes recommended by friends or testimonials. At Harbor Family Law, our goal is to perform the most efficient and effective work to keep your costs at a minimum. Our extensive knowledge and focus on the area of family law allows us to work for you with cost-sensitivity in mind.
Contact our Port Orchard Family Law Attorneys at Harbor Family Law for a Case Consultation
Our experienced family law attorneys in Port Orchard understand the challenges of any family law dispute. We serve clients in Pierce, Kitsap, and South King County areas of Washington State. Fill out the form on our website, and a member of our team will respond within 24 hours.
At Harbor Family Law, we work towards obtaining a better future for you. Contact our law office for a case consultation, and we can start answering any questions you might have.