Bellevue Family Law

Family relationships can be some of the most fulfilling associations that individuals experience during their lifetime. Our families can also give us a sense of purpose and identity. However, regardless of all of the benefits and positive aspects of family social interactions, these same relationships can also cause the most stress and anxiety if legal issues arise.

If you are dealing with family law legal issues, you need a law firm that can understand your needs and find viable solutions to help resolve your problems. The attorneys of Pacific Northwest Family Law of Bellevue, Washington, have extensive experience handling complex legal issues and helping families resume their lives.

Contact our law offices and ask to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced legal team member who can evaluate your needs and answer your legal questions.

Washington state gives married couples the option of legal separation instead of a divorce. In many cases, the spouses’ religious preferences may prevent them from obtaining a divorce. Instead, couples may opt for a legal separation that will allow them to stay married but legally separate themselves and their finances and allow them to stay married but lead separate lives.

Legal separation can also benefit couples who are not sure they want a divorce but feel they need to live apart from one another with the potential hope of reconciling. During their legal separation, couples can have legal guidelines determining who will pay specific bills, retain child custody, and remain in the marital home.

Finally, as some couples transition into the later stages of their marriage, they may decide they wish to live apart from one another. However, at this point in their life, a spouse may depend on the other spouse’s health insurance benefits and do not wish to divorce and lose their access to healthcare. Therefore, many couples opt for a legal separation so they may lead their own lives without losing benefits.

Legal separation can be a valuable resource for individuals who do not want to go the traditional route and obtain a divorce. However, individuals should be aware that a legal separation period is not required before a couple can file for a divorce. For example, suppose you and your spouse are considering a legal separation. In that case, one of the best moves you can take to protect your interests is to hire an experienced King County family law lawyer who can provide you with more information and what is best for your situation.

Parents seeking child custody should never forget that family courts will always err on the side of caution when deciding who a child should live with and make their decision based on what is in the child’s best interests. Therefore, contrary to popular belief, family court judges do not automatically award child custody to the mother but consider a wide range of pertinent factors.

Some of the most important determinants that the King County family court evaluates when deciding child custody include:

• The physical and mental health of each parent.
• Any history of domestic violence or abuse by either parent.
• Each parent’s desire for child custody and their willingness to participate in their child’s life.
• Each parent’s work schedule and ability to participate in the child’s activities.
• The emotional and developmental needs of the child.
• The child’s school and community history.
• The child’s preference if the court feels they have the maturity to understand the consequences of making this type of decision.

One of the best ways to give yourself an advantage in obtaining child custody is to hire a knowledgeable attorney who can explain the court’s legal process to make their decision. Contact Pacific Northwest Family Law of Bellevue and ask to schedule an appointment with one of our well-qualified attorneys.

Determining who will get the house in a divorce can be an overly complex legal process, and the court will consider many issues before making a final decision. For example, if the residence solely belongs to one spouse, that individual typically is awarded the home. Additionally, if the divorce involves children, the spouse who becomes the custodial parent will most likely be awarded the home to avoid causing them more trauma.

Finally, some other factors that the court considers are which of the spouses can afford the home and the willingness of each spouse to live there. In cases with no minor children or a short-term marriage, the higher-earning spouse typically retains possession of the home. Our Bellevue family law attorneys will be happy to provide you with more information about who may be able to retain possession of the home.

Pacific Northwest Family Law of Bellevue in King County is a law firm dedicated to assisting families with their legal issues and helping them resume their lives. Our family law attorneys recognize that these types of legal matters can cause families a great deal of emotional distress as they work to solve their problems.

Our law firm is passionately committed to assisting families in their time of need and will treat you with the care and compassion you deserve. We will thoroughly evaluate your case, determine your needs, and look for solutions that will benefit you and your family.

Because emotions can run high in family law cases, one of the most significant advantages of hiring an attorney is they can provide you with an objective point of view when dealing with legal issues. In addition, our family law attorneys are all skilled negotiators and will fight to ensure that your voice is heard, and your legal rights are protected.

Contact our Bellevue law offices by calling 360-926-9112 and ask to schedule a free no-obligation consultation with a qualified member of our legal staff who can review your case and explain your legal options.