Tacoma Divorce and Family Law Attorney

No one "wins" a divorce case. Both husband and wife lose. The income and financial resources that supported one household during the marriage now must support two. Frequently, this means that the family home must be sold, because neither spouse can afford the mortgage payments alone. And if there are children, you can bet that they will be the "biggest losers" in a divorce case. Regardless of their ages, the kids will endure the emotional difficulties that surround the fracturing of a family, as well as being impacted by the financial stresses that inevitably accompany divorce.

At Scholl Law Firm, P.S. in Tacoma, Washington, we have been helping people through the divorce process for almost 15 years. We will take the time to get to know your individual circumstances, fears, hopes, and objectives. Then we will deal with the legal aspects of your divorce, so that you can focus on getting on with the rest of your life. Contact our office to arrange for your confidential consultation.

Washington Divorce and Family Law Lawyer

We advise and represent clients with divorce and family law issues including:

• Property division: Washington is a community property state. This does not mean that property is automatically split 50/50. Property is divided based on a "just and equitable" standard. If not agreed upon mutually, a Superior Court Judge will decide issues of property division for the couple.
  
  
• Child Custody: Under Washington law, both parents are presumed to have an equal interest in the children. The Court must adopt a formal, written Parenting Plan reflecting the basic "blueprint" of each child's residential placement, including designation of the "primary parent" and visitation with the other parent. In instances where there has been a history of domestic violence, or where one parent is shown to pose a risk to the child's well-being, the Court must order supervised-only visitation. It is not uncommon for one parent to exaggerate accusations of such conduct in the heat of an emotional "custody battle," and frequently the Court will appoint a Parenting Investigator (or "Guardian ad litem") to represent the child's interests. We help our clients be proactive in protecting their parental rights.
  
  
• Child Support: Support is based on state-mandated guidelines determined by factors such as the incomes of both parents and the parenting plan in place. Child support can be modified by the Court every two years, or at any time there has been a substantial change in the financial circumstances of one or both parents.
  
  
• Spousal Maintenance (formerly known as "Alimony"): Washington law generally does not favor the award of spousal maintenance for any period or in any amount that is not absolutely necessary. While the Court will take various factors, such as the length of the marriage, into account in awarding spousal maintenance, the major factors that are considered are one spouse's financial need versus the other spouse's ability to pay.

The client comes first

Scholl Law Firm, P.S. has almost 15 years of experience providing family law and divorce representation to people throughout Western Washington. Contact our office by phone at (253) 274-1732 if you need professional legal advice or representation regarding your divorce, separation, parenting plan, child custody, child support or other family law concern. For your convenience, we accept all major credit cards, and can be available in the evenings and on weekends.

Scholl Law Firm, P.S. provides family law representation for clients throughout the South Puget Sound area, including Pierce, Thurston, Kitsap, and South King counties; including Tacoma Puyallup, Lakewood, University Place, Fort Lewis, Milton, Fife, Gig Harbor, Buckley, Orting, Federal Way, Auburn, Olympia, Tumwater, Port Orchard and Bremerton.