Table of Contents
- 1 Why Choosing the Right Divorce Lawyer Matters
- 2 What to Look for in a Top Divorce Law Firm
- 3 Top-Rated Washington Divorce Lawyers and Firms
- 4 How to Choose the Best Divorce Lawyer Near You
- 5 Cost of Hiring a Divorce Lawyer in Washington
- 6 FAQs About Washington Divorce Lawyers
- 7 Contact a Top Washington Divorce Law Firm Today
Why Choosing the Right Divorce Lawyer Matters
Hiring a skilled divorce lawyer is paramount to the divorce process and can have a significant impact on your outcome and experience. Divorce is frustrating, expensive, and legally complex, and the right expertise and support are crucial. A divorce attorney can impact custody, asset division, alimony, and emotional outcomes that affect your family for years.
Nearly 45% of marriages in the US still end in divorce. While divorce rates in the United States are on a slow decline, you need to know about Washington-specific divorce laws, how divorce will impact you, and what to do if you are facing a divorce. Statistically, having a lawyer on your side makes a big difference.
What to Look for in a Top Divorce Law Firm
Experience, reputation, client trust, and familiarity with local laws cannot be understated. Divorce issues involve the most important aspects of your life, including assets, family, and finances. You want to ensure that the divorce firm and attorney you choose work for you, but everyone has different personalities, opinions, and expectations.
How do I find a divorce law firm near me? With a little prep and research, you can increase your odds of finding a divorce attorney that fits you and your unique situation. Your representative is going to help protect you, and by following a few key steps, you can ensure that your time and money are well spent.
Experience and Reputation
You need to consider years of practice, personal experience, complex cases, local reputation, and your prospective attorney’s comfort level with handling specific issues. Divorces are not one-size-fits-all, and the more open and straightforward you are, the better your attorney can help you.
Disclose complex child custody matters, ask about your attorney’s experience in the specific areas you face, discuss assets and finances, etc.
Client Reviews and Testimonials
Clients tend to be fairly honest when reviewing attorneys. Rely on reviews and testimonials when looking for the best divorce firm in your area, and take note of the way the firm/attorney responds to clients. The client/attorney relationship is important, especially with divorce, because of how frequently you must be open and vulnerable.
Local Knowledge of Washington Family Law
Understanding local court procedures, state and county laws, and court requirements, processes, and family court services is all important for a top Washington State attorney. Navigating the court systems with knowledge of local and state family law ensures that your prospective lawyer can handle your case with aplomb and offer you specialized, targeted services unique to your case.
Top-Rated Washington Divorce Lawyers and Firms
Skyview Law – Trusted Divorce Law Firm in Tri-Cities
For over 10 years, Skyview Law LLC has worked hard for clients in Eastern Washington and the Tri-Cities area. As members of the community, Skyview has represented clients with divorce, custody, support, and mediation. Our local experience, client-first approach, and expertise in Yakima, Spokane, Kennewick, and beyond make us unique and supportive advocates for those who live in the area.
Why Choose Skyview Law?
Skyview Law offers a client-focused approach backed by local expertise and full-service legal support. We provide personalized services beginning with a Free Consultation. We are proud of our track record of successful outcomes in all legal cases covering family law.
Skyview Law Services
Our core family law services include divorce, child custody, child and spousal support, and mediation. Parental planning and mediation services can help assuage contentious divorces, providing a roadmap of expectations that puts children at the forefront. Our attorneys can aid you in crafting effective plans that ensure your family is cared for.
Service Locations
We serve the Tri-Cities area, including Spokane, Yakima, Kennewick, and other major cities in broader Eastern Washington. Our firm is familiar with local courts and communities, and as local Washingtonians, we ensure our clients receive knowledgeable, accessible legal support wherever they are.
How to Choose the Best Divorce Lawyer Near You
Compare Pricing and Services
You deserve a top-tier attorney, but you also need to be frank with your budget. When interviewing a prospective attorney, be up front with your finances, and ask them about their fees, retainer, etc. Tough child custody cases and child support cases can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and things can become more expensive when dealing with alimony and property division.
A quick Google search of “top divorce lawyers near me” will result in numerous attorneys and firms. You need to find the one that’s best for you. Ask the divorce lawyer about the cost of their services, what’s covered, and what total you can expect.
Ask The Right Questions
Your relationship with your prospective attorney can be different based on your personality and needs. Are you detail-oriented or passive? What outcome are you looking for? Do you want your attorney to handle absolutely everything, or do you want a say on what happens during your divorce trial?
Asking the right questions is important, as you want to ensure you and your attorney are on the same page. Review their material, website, experience, and client testimonials. Ask them specific questions about your case and evaluate their answers. When you schedule your consultation, you want to put your attorney through the ringer to ensure that nothing is left unanswered.
Establish Trust
Your prospective attorney doesn’t know your expectations. They can’t read your mind, even if they pick up on your frustration, confusion, or unhappiness. You need to open the lines of communication and ensure that your attorney is sincere and thoughtful. They should respond to your questions in a way that satisfies you.
Don’t make assumptions about their expertise or the way they might handle a case, and don’t leave anything open to interpretation or misunderstanding. Bring up all your questions and concerns so that you and your attorney are on the same page before you begin divorce proceedings.
Cost of Hiring a Divorce Lawyer in Washington
The average cost of divorce attorneys in the Puget Sound area is between $250-$350 per hour. While this area is more costly than the national average, and Eastern Washington prices are a touch lower, you should go in expecting to pay upwards of $200/hour or more.
Factors in the complexity of your case include your unique needs, whether or not you have children, the worth of your property, your finances, etc. Divorce representation can be expensive, and common fee structures include flat fees, hourly rates, and retainers, which can add up. Does your case require court involvement and negotiations, or can your lawyer resolve your case via mediation and settlement?
Ask your prospective family law attorney about their fees and if they can give you an estimate of services.
FAQs About Washington Divorce Lawyers
How long does a divorce take in Washington?
On average, it takes 90 days to finalize an uncontested divorce in Washington State, after paperwork is served. This is called a “cooling off” period.
Contested divorces can take much longer, up to several years, depending on which complications arise.
Do I need a lawyer for an uncontested divorce?
Technically, anyone can get an uncontested divorce without a lawyer, though it’s recommended to seek legal advice when complex issues arise, such as property division or child custody.
Can I change lawyers mid-divorce?
You have the legal right to change lawyers mid-divorce. Your attorney should always represent your best interests. If your divorce lawyer is not meeting your needs, you can dismiss your current lawyer and find a new one, though this could affect the timeline and cost of your divorce.
What’s the difference between legal separation and divorce in WA?
Legal separation and divorce are similar, but separation doesn’t dissolve your marriage. Divorce is a permanent factor that ends your marriage, though both separation and divorce can address debts, child custody, and property division. Couples who choose separation are still legally married and cannot remarry until divorce is finalized.
Contact a Top Washington Divorce Law Firm Today
Divorce is challenging. Your life is stressful enough without worrying about all the legal paperwork, details, and deadlines. Skyview Law’s experienced, compassionate attorneys can handle your divorce case and ensure you receive the representation you deserve.
Call us today for a FREE consultation & Case Review and let’s see if we are the right fit. Get in touch at 509-295-9511 or contact us via email. Our firm is committed to compassionate, professional service, which is why we dedicate ourselves to helping the families of Eastern Washington.
