Tacoma Divorce Attorney

Teamwork. Experience. Trust.

Divorce is a difficult process for anyone to go through. A clean divorce is almost non-existent in today's day and age. Children, money, property—not to mention emotions—can all complicate the matter. In fact, when it comes to divorce, nothing is simple. That is why you must be informed about family law as much as possible before you begin this process. At the Law Offices of Clayton R. Dickinson, we know how important it is to you to have a complete understanding of what you are facing. Our team is dedicated to providing the aggressive legal representation that you want during this time.

Whether you are just beginning your divorce or are looking to appeal an unsatisfactory outcome, you should work with a Tacoma divorce lawyer who knows family law inside and out. The legal field can seem like a frustrating and impenetrable wall. With the proper help though, the divorce process can become manageable. Handling your case professionally, aggressively, and quickly is our firm's top priority. We pride ourselves on our outstanding customer service and will do everything we can to see you through this time with as little discomfort as possible. When you work with our team, you will discover why our clients come to trust us for life.

About Washington Divorce Laws

Divorce is handled in state courts, rather than federal courts. Therefore, it is important to understand the laws surrounding divorce specifically in the state of Washington. In this state, divorce, as opposed to a legal separation, is considered to be dissolution of marriage. Marriage is defined as a civil contract between a man and a woman. In some cases, a domestic partnership can fall under the same laws that concern marriage.

A common law marriage, or a legally contracted informal marriage, is not recognized in this state and therefore cannot be dissolved by the courts. Only legally recognized marriages may be dissolved. Some instances where a marriage will not be considered valid are when two closely related individuals marry or when a person who is already married enters into a union with a second individual. Unions such as these are not recognized and may have to be annulled or declared invalid rather than dissolved. For unmarried couples, this process does not apply, though other legal measures may need to be taken if you are considering adoption.

In Washington, it is not necessary to blame one or both spouses for the failure of the marriage. Instead, this state recognizes what is called a "no-fault divorce." As the name indicates, this means that no one is at fault—cruelty, violence or adultery does not have to be an underlying reason to file for divorce. Furthermore, only one spouse must feel as though the marriage is beyond reconciliation. The formal definition used in Washington to describe this situation is that a marriage is "irretrievably broken." Once one member of the marriage files for this dissolution, all the details following the divorce must then be dealt with. This is where everything becomes complicated.

Struggling with the difficulties of divorce?

When you file for divorce, you may face a great many problems. Property rights must be determined and divided. Custody and child support must be established. Even spousal maintenance must be figured out. Such issues may be facilitated if you and your former spouse had entered into a prenuptial agreement or a marital agreement. However, these contracts are often ignored, causing even more problems and perhaps even leading to a violation of court orders. For this reason, it is highly advised that you enlist the help of a Tacoma family law attorney early on in the process, as they will be by your side every step of the way to handle the legal complexities involved in ending your marriage.

It is very rare for there to be an entirely uncontested divorce where everyone agrees on every aspect of the divorce contract. When a divorce is contested though, mediation may be required. This is where a lawyer comes in to act as a go-between for the two individuals. If mediation is required, it is best for you to have a Tacoma divorce attorney that you can trust and who will look out for your best interests. This well help to assure you receive proper father's rights or guardianship. Furthermore, this can help to determine visitation rights and avoid parental alienation. Attempting to navigate this process alone may leave you with a less than favorable outcome later on, so you should make sure that your rights are protected from the very beginning by retaining the services of a family lawyer from our firm.

Work with a Tacoma Divorce Lawyer from Dickinson

The Law Offices of Clayton R. Dickinson may be the team you have been looking for. With over 33 years of combined legal experience among our associates, we know how to get the job done quickly and effectively. Your trust is valuable to us. We want to make sure you have complete understanding of the situation you are facing and are fully aware of the options you can take. The divorce process is not easy for anyone but with our help you can have confidence in favorable results. Work with the experts you can rely on. An associate from our firm is ready to tackle your case and provide the aggressive litigation you are looking for.

All you have to do is take the initiative to enlist the professional help that you will need to successfully resolve the matter of your divorce. Whether you have questions about what to expect out of this legal process or you are in the middle of a contentious custody battle, the Tacoma divorce attorney at our firm is well-equipped to assist you. To get started, we encourage you to give us a call today. Our office is located at 6314 19th Street West, Suite 20, Tacoma, WA 98466 and we can be reached at either (253) 564-6253 or (253) 987-6903.

For qualified assistance in a family law matter, contact a Tacoma divorce lawyer from our law firm as soon as possible.