Practice Areas

Seattle Family Lawyers

For more information about a practice area, click on the heading.

Amicable Divorce

Settling a divorce out of court is almost always better for everyone. Keep in mind though, that even a low-conflict or amicable divorce is not always simple or easy. Disagreements often arise in areas such as the parenting plan or property division. At the DuBois Law Firm in Seattle, Washington, the goal of our lawyers and professional staff is to help you reach agreement with your former spouse with as little conflict as possible.

Contested Divorce

In our experience, a contested divorce is one of the most stressful experiences a person can face. If you anticipate heading into a high-conflict case, you will need a legal team that understands you are in a crisis situation. You’ll need an attorney who is not only readily available, but one who will be extremely supportive. At the DuBois Law Firm in Seattle, Washington, we understand this and have the staff and experience to support you.

Child Custody

Every divorce involving children must have a child custody and visitation agreement. In Washington, this agreement is called the parenting plan. Many parents come up with a parenting plan and never give it another thought. Others follow this child custody and visitation agreement to the letter until the child goes to college. However, each divorced family must have a specific plan upon which they can rely if disagreements arise.

Property Division

In Washington state, all marital property generated by the two parties during the years they were a couple (including the years they were living together as well as married), is up for division, including retirement benefits. The law in Washington starts with an assumption that community property will be split 50-50. However, from there the court will consider a variety of factors that could lead to different percentages. For example, when one party is the higher wage earner, the courts will attempt to put the parties in a closer economic position after the divorce through property division and alimony.

Professional Divorce

If you think divorce is in your future, you should get legal advice as soon as possible — especially if you are professional or have significant assets you want to protect. There are important issues regarding child custody and property division that you should know early in the process.

Parenting Plan Modification

In Washington state, child custody can be modified with court approval if there is "a substantial change in circumstances in the household where the child is residing that was not foreseeable at the time the parenting plan was entered into." A parenting plan modification is usually expensive and difficult to obtain. However, if you see a strong need to change your present parenting plan, we can help.

Relocation

The state of Washington has strict laws about a parent relocating a child. Discussing your situation with an experienced lawyer before you move your child can head off many potential problems. Amanda DuBois and Monica Kaup Cary often represent parents with primary residential custody who want to move, as well as parents who do not want their child to relocate.

Paternity Action

The case of Anna Nicole Smith drew the nation's attention to the legal process of establishing paternity. However, most paternity actions don't involve wealthy heirs or tabloid speculation. At the DuBois Law Firm in Seattle, Washington, most of the clients we represent in paternity cases are fathers who want to establish a relationship with their child.

Domestic Partnership Dissolution

In Washington, you are subject to our state's community property laws as soon as you and your partner hold yourselves out to be a couple. Whether you are the same sex as your partner or a different sex, the law will treat you if you were married for purposes of property division and parenting plans if one of the parties moves out.

If you have questions, please contact attorney Amanda DuBois or a member of our legal team. Our waterfront office is located on the north end of Lake Union in Seattle, Washington.