Tri-Cities Divorce, Custody, and Family Law Attorneys

Divorce, Family Law, Estate Planning, and Probate for Tri-Cities Families

Families in the Tri-Cities turn to Pacific Northwest Family Law for divorce, child custody and parenting plans, unmarried couple disputes, estate planning, and probate when family decisions carry long-term consequences. Whether you are facing the end of a marriage, planning for your children’s future, or navigating the legal process after the loss of a loved one, these moments demand clarity, structure, and experienced guidance.

The Tri-Cities is a place defined by responsibility and long-term thinking. Families here work in science and engineering at Hanford and PNNL, operate farms and vineyards, build businesses, and put down roots along the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima Rivers. When a family crisis hits, it affects more than emotions—it impacts children, finances, careers, and generational plans.

At Pacific Northwest Family Law, we help families move from uncertainty to stability. We use divorce and custody law to protect children and restore balance when relationships break down. We use estate planning to preserve legacies and give families control over the future. We use probate to guide families through loss with dignity, order, and care. The law is our toolkit and protecting and strengthening families is our purpose.

We believe people are not isolated individuals. Families are interconnected systems, woven together over time. When that fabric is strained or torn, it can be repaired and reinforced with the right planning and leadership. Our Tri-Cities attorneys work to help clients reclaim their footing, make informed decisions, and become steady leaders for the people who depend on them.

Courts That Will Shape Your Case

Family law outcomes are shaped not just by statutes, but by local courts, local procedures, and the expectations of individual judges. Where your case is filed matters. Preparation means understanding not only the rules on paper, but how each courtroom actually functions.

Benton County Superior Court (Kennewick)

Benton County cases are primarily heard at the Kennewick Justice Center. While Benton County shares rules with Franklin County as part of a bi-county judicial district, the courthouses, clerks, and daily operations are distinct.

Many hearings allow remote participation by WebEx, but in-person appearances remain mandatory for trials, evidentiary hearings, and settlement conferences unless advance permission is granted. The court expects disciplined preparation, strict compliance with filing and decorum requirements, and clear presentation of issues.

Franklin County Superior Court (Pasco)

Franklin County cases are heard at the Franklin County Courthouse in Pasco, with its own clerk’s office and docket structure. Although it operates under the same local rules as Benton County, scheduling practices and courtroom flow differ in meaningful ways.

Understanding how and when matters are heard in Pasco helps avoid unnecessary delays and allows cases to move forward efficiently, especially as docket structures evolve.

Grant County Superior Court (Ephrata)

Grant County is a place where local familiarity matters. While many hearings are conducted remotely via Zoom, the court maintains its own filing practices, scheduling expectations, and working-copy requirements.

Members of our team have deep roots in Grant County, and we regularly practice before its judges. That familiarity allows us to tailor filings and presentation to what the court expects, rather than relying on generic assumptions that often fail in smaller jurisdictions.

Adams County Superior Court (Ritzville)

Adams County is a small but important jurisdiction, centered in Ritzville, a community many Eastern Washington residents know well. With a single judge and distinct local practices, outcomes in Adams County depend heavily on understanding that courtroom’s expectations.

Success here is not about volume or aggression. It is about knowing what the judge wants to see, how matters are handled, and preparing accordingly.

Our Tri-Cities attorneys represent families across Eastern Washington in divorce, custody, estate planning, and probate matters. We practice regularly in Benton, Franklin, Grant, and Adams Counties and understand how local courts, schedules, and expectations shape real outcomes. Clients work with attorneys who prepare carefully, communicate clearly, and guide cases with steady leadership.

How We Help Eastern Washington Families Move Forward

Family law is not just about resolving disputes. It is about helping families navigate moments of crisis, loss, and transition with clarity and purpose. At Pacific Northwest Family Law, we use the law as a tool to protect children, preserve stability, and help families rebuild when circumstances change.

Family Law, Divorce, and Parenting Transitions

Divorce is one of the most common entry points into family law, but it is never just about ending a marriage. It is about restructuring a family in a way that protects children, preserves dignity, and allows people to move forward with confidence.

We help families across Eastern Washington address divorce-related issues such as:

• Parenting plans that reflect real work schedules, shift work, and school demands
• Temporary orders that establish structure and reduce uncertainty early in a case
• Child support involving overtime, bonuses, self-employment, or variable income
• Property division involving retirement accounts, professional careers, or complex assets
• High-conflict co-parenting situations that require enforceable boundaries
• Agreements designed to last, not unravel months later

➡ Learn more at our page Divorce in Washington State

Child Custody and Parenting Plans That Work in Real Life

Parenting plans must function in practice, not just on paper. Courts expect plans that reflect how families actually live, work, and care for their children.

Custody matters in Eastern Washington often involve:

• Non-standard or rotating work schedules
• Long-term planning for education, healthcare, and extracurricular activities
• Parenting time across cities, counties, or school districts
• Requests to modify or enforce existing orders as circumstances change

We represent both mothers and fathers with a focus on preserving each parent’s meaningful role while prioritizing a child’s stability and well-being.

➡ Learn more at our page Child Custody and Father’s Rights

Unmarried Couples and Committed Intimate Relationships

Many couples build long-term lives together without marrying. When those relationships end, questions about property, debt, and parenting can become complex quickly.

Washington law provides frameworks for resolving these disputes, but outcomes depend heavily on evidence, preparation, and timing. We help clients understand their rights, avoid costly mistakes, and protect what they helped build.

➡ Learn more at our page Unmarried Couples: Committed Intimate Relationships (CIRs)

Probate: Guiding Families After a Loss

When a loved one passes away, families are often asked to make legal decisions while still grieving. Probate is designed to protect estates and ensure assets are transferred properly, but it can feel overwhelming without guidance.

We assist families throughout Eastern Washington with probate matters, including:

• Court administration of estates
• Disputes between heirs or beneficiaries
• Issues involving personal representatives or executors
• Trust administration and related court proceedings

➡ Learn more at our page Probate in Washington State

Estate Planning: Wills and Trusts for the Future

Estate planning is not about documents alone. It is about protecting the people you love and the legacy you are building.

We help families create wills, trusts, and planning strategies that reflect real life, family dynamics, and long-term goals. Thoughtful planning can prevent conflict, protect children, and ensure that your intentions are honored when you are no longer able to speak for yourself.

➡ Learn more at our page Estate Planning In Washington State

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to go to court in person for a divorce or custody case in the Tri-Cities?

Sometimes. Many hearings in Benton, Franklin, Grant, and Adams Counties allow remote appearance, but trials, evidentiary hearings, and some settlement conferences still require in-person attendance. We prepare clients in advance so they know exactly when physical presence is required and when it is not.

Can I handle my case if I work shift schedules or travel frequently?

Yes. Many Tri-Cities families work non-standard schedules in science, agriculture, healthcare, and public service. Courts are familiar with these realities, and we build parenting plans, schedules, and court strategies that reflect real work demands—not idealized assumptions.

How long does a divorce or family law case usually take in this area?

It depends on the issues involved and whether the case is contested. Some matters resolve in a few months; others take longer when children, property, or disputes require court involvement. We focus on creating a clear plan early so timelines and expectations are realistic.

What happens after I submit the form below?

You will be contacted to schedule a new client interview. That conversation is focused on understanding your situation, explaining how the process works in the Tri-Cities courts, and identifying next steps. No pressure—just clarity.

Decisions That Shape Families for Generations

Families do not become stronger by accident. They become stronger when someone is willing to step forward, take responsibility, and make difficult decisions with care and intention.

Most people come to us at a moment they did not choose. A marriage has broken down. Parenting arrangements feel uncertain. A loved one has passed away. Long-held plans no longer make sense. In those moments, it is easy to feel overwhelmed or stuck, as though events are moving faster than you can respond.

We use the law as a tool to protect families. We use divorce to create structure when relationships change. We use estate planning to safeguard the people and values that matter most. We use probate to help families honor those who came before them while moving forward with clarity. Every step is grounded in the belief that families are worth protecting — and that thoughtful preparation creates lasting stability.

If you are at a turning point, delaying decisions does not preserve options. It narrows them. The next step is to act deliberately. Complete the form below to begin building a plan that protects your family now and for generations to come.

Pacific Northwest Family Law – Tri-Cities
1359 Columbia Park Trail
Richland, WA 99352
(509) 572-3700