Filing for Divorce in Spokane

Experienced Legal Guidance For Divorce Cases in Washington State

Divorce is often difficult legally, financially, and emotionally. Each person who goes through the divorce process will have his or her own special needs that must be addressed as the case moves forward. Many decisions and arrangements will have to be made involving everything from the disposition of the family home, disentanglement of finances, custody and parenting of children, and division of the parties’ assets and liabilities.

Understanding Divorce in Washington State

Washington is a “no fault” divorce state. Therefore, it is not necessary for either party to prove the other engaged in conduct that caused the marriage to fail. All that is required is that one party state that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” The Court will not hear about one party’s infidelity; as it is not relevant and cannot be considered in the distribution of parties’ assets and debts. Navigating such a process without the legal guidance of a trusted attorney can be a daunting experience and most certainly will result in a significantly disadvantageous outcome.

While no-fault divorce is the norm in Washington state,fault grounds are still recognized. Fault-based divorce grounds include:

• Cruelty: the physical or emotional cruelty of one spouse toward the other, making the continuation of the marriage intolerable
• Adultery: if one spouse engages in extramarital affairs, a divorce may be sought
• Abandonment: when one spouse willfully abandons the other for a continuous period of at least one year
• Confinement in a Mental Hospital: if one spouse has been confined to a mental hospital for a significant period of time due to incurable mental illness, it can be a basis for divorce.

Trusted Divorce Representation in Spokane

At Ellen M. Hendrick PLLC, I understand the enormity of what you must deal with in any divorce. As your Spokane divorce attorney, I will give your case the attention and commitment it needs and will ensure you are fully informed of the process as it unfolds. While I am an experienced and successful trial lawyer and can advocate for your legal objectives through litigation, if it is appropriate in your case, I will advise you to resolve your disputed issues via the less costly mediation process.

As your attorney, I will be present with you at mediation, and will negotiate an outcome that best represents your interests. If negotiation of full settlement is not achieved via mediation, then I would vigorously defend your interests at trial. Whether your case is uncontested or highly complex due to conflict and large assets, I work diligently to ensure that you are prepared at every phase, and that you fully understand your legal rights and options.

Call Ellen M. Hendrick PLLC to arrange for a consultation with our Spokane divorce attorney at (509) 402-2248.