Family Law Explained
Family law in Spokane encompasses a wide range of legal issues that affect the home and relationship dynamics within families. Among these issues, divorce frequently emerges as the most prominent. Currently, around 3,500 people divorced or separated in Spokane County last year, leading to significant outcomes for all those involved.
Beyond divorce, child custody is often the next most contentious family law issue. In any legal proceeding, judges will determine what is in the best interests of the children involved. Once custody has been established, courts also oversee the arrangement of child support, determining how much noncustodial parents must contribute to the livelihood and education of their children.
Domestic violence, an unfortunate realty in many families, involves crimes such as domestic battery, stalking, or violation of orders of protection or no-contact orders. Family law regulations increasingly emphasize protections for the most vulnerable members of society, and courts are committed to enforcing these protections . Restraining orders guard individuals from abusive partners, while visitation procedures help to keep children safe during the most contentious of family situations.
Family law not only governs the establishment of paternity, but also touches upon property distribution. In the event that one spouse dies, however, the situation becomes more complicated. Under Washington Law RCW 26.16.115, the division of property is likely to fall in favor of the surviving spouse, who will be entitled to approximately one half of the deceased’s estate. Regardless of the situation, experienced attorneys are essential for successful resolution of a broad range of family law concerns.
In addition to Washington family laws, it’s important to understand the local court system throughout Spokane. Family law cases are frequently moved between departments, putting their fates in the hands of various judges. Each judge has their own viewpoints, philosophies, and databases of case history. Your lawyer should have in-depth local experience along with a powerful understanding of the nuances and complexities unique to the county judicial system.
What Are The Benefits Of Hiring A Leading Family Law Attorney
When dealing with the complexities of family and domestic legal matters, the importance of hiring a top-notch legal practitioner can be the difference between a favorable outcome and potential setbacks for you and your loved ones. A top-tier family law attorney has experience in not only high net worth divorce but also child custody battles, property division, and spousal maintenance disputes. They know how to negotiate, litigate, and strategize your case’s progress to maximize a positive result for you and your family. In a state like Washington—which follows a community property law system—having someone who is well-versed in the process and its nuances gives you and your family the best chance to emerge from the storm of divorce and domestic issues financially, emotionally, and physically whole. The right Spokane family lawyer brings both expertise and empathy to the table, as there’s no denying that each divorce and family law case is unique. That’s why experienced family attorneys will listen to your concerns, understand your situation, and devise a game plan to ensure the best result for you while also minimizing the expenses of the process.
The Top Things To Look For In A Respected Family Law Attorney
When searching for a top-rated family law attorney, you need to review both their hard and soft skills. While any family lawyer should be well-versed in the law, your attorney also needs strong communication skills and a high level of empathy and compassion. As a potential future client, you should also look for a thorough and diligent professional, as well as an attorney who has a proven track record of success throughout their career.
Consider the following aspects as you search for the Spokane family law attorney who is right for you:
Communication Style
You need to be able to see an attorney when and where it works for you. If your attorney requires that you come into the office during regular business hours, that may or may not be a huge issue depending on your circumstances. However, if your attorney seems to be busy all of the time and does play a vital role in your proceedings, consider whether they are fully committed to your case. A great family law attorney will make time for their clients in advance, even if that means meeting with the client outside of regular business hours.
Soft Skills
Any great family law attorney in Spokane, WA should have excellent people skills. This means they should be an active listener and an effective communicator, always making time to pay full attention to their clients’ concerns and truly be present in the moment. In addition, a great family law attorney should be able to empathize with their clients.
Hard Skills
Your family law attorney should have extensive experience handling family law cases, particularly those similar to your own. Attorneys who offer free consultations can be ideal, as you can get a sense of their demeanor and ability before you commit to any one attorney.
Spokane, WA Family Law Attorneys
For those searching for the Top Family Law Attorneys in Spokane, WA, we have selected the following:
Becker & O’Connor
20 North Cedar Street
Spokane, WA 99201
509-413-1776 Http://Beckeroconnor.Com
Priscilla Becker, working solo or with the firm’s paralegals, represents clients in family law cases. She also provides mediation services for family law matters. Priscilla is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and Spokane County Bar Association, having served as chapter chair and treasurer for the Family Law Spokane Chapter. She also serves on the bar’s Domestic Relations and Rules Committee, as well as the Washington State Board of Bar Examiners.
Seattle Pacific University is where Priscilla earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in 2000. She graduated from Gonzaga School of Law with her J.D. in 2004. Becker & O’Connor law office is a full-service family law firm. The Becker & O’Connor family law attorneys serve clients throughout the state. Becker & O’Connor accepts DIv(Divorce), Custody and Child Support (via Dependency), DUI, Assault, Drug, Theft and Animal Cruelty cases.
Becker & O’Connor Spouse or Partner Support Divorce Children Custody Child Support Protective Orders Limitation on Parenting time Seattle Divorce Lawyer Tacoma Divorce Lawyer Bellevue Family Law Attorney El Centro Visitation
Barker & Cook
P.O. Box 5226
Spokane, WA 99205
509-326-9000 Http://Barker-cook.Com
Nancy J. Cook is an attorney with Barker Cook P.S. , which provides entrepreneur-based solutions and legal advocacy for people and businesses. She earned her law degree from the Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, WA. Ms. Cook is licensed to practice law in Washington and California. She has been a practicing trial attorney in Washington since 1992.
Nancy Cook has been a trial attorney on the nonparental child custody relocation statute in homesick family law cases that have landed in the appellate courts in Washington. She won the landmark case ruling that the Washington statute RCW 26.09.430 allowing only non-parents to seek court approval for relocating with child custody and visitation orders is null and void.
Nancy represents both military and civilian clients and has extensive experience in all family law concerns, including divorce, legal separation, paternity, child support and custody modification, child custody and visitation issues, international child abduction under the Hague Convention and wrongful child removal, domestic violence allegations, annulments and post-decree modification actions, spousal maintenance or spouse support, and more.
The Law Offices of Daniel R. Back & Associates
720 West Riverside Avenue, Suite 508
Spokane, WA 99201
509-230-1120 Http://Www.Spokanefamilylawyers.Com
The family law firm of the Law Offices of Daniel R. Back & Associates limits their practices to family law, such as divorce, parentage, and child custody.
How To Select A Family Law Attorney
The process of hiring a qualified family law attorney in Spokane is crucial to the success of your case, no matter the circumstances. Here’s how to make sure you hire the best attorney for your specific needs:
• Find out what your options are – Ask around for recommendations, or do some research online. You want to cast as wide a net as possible, so talk to everyone you know and/or do as much research as possible before deciding you’ve found the right one.
• Schedule consultations – There are some attorneys who will charge you for consultations, but many will not. Call around and find out if you can schedule a consultation, even if it’s just over the phone. Generally, it’s a good idea to meet with at least two or three different attorneys before making a decision.
• Find out about their experience – Does the attorney have experience specifically with your type of situation? You don’t want to hire a divorce attorney who has only ever worked on custody cases. A good attorney will be honest and straightforward with you about the experience they have with your particular case.
• Be aware of their fees – Attorneys are notoriously pricey (understandably, from a business perspective), so find out upfront how much this is going to cost you. Make sure you’re clear about any additional fees or costs outside of legal fees, like court costs, mediation fees and the like.
• Investigate their reputation – Online reviews, friends’ recommendations, etc. All of these things can help you find out about their reputation in the community. A great way to find out about lawyers you are thinking about hiring is to contact the local bar association and find out about the attorney’s reputation. A reputable lawyer should have no problem sharing information, including client references, past successes and numbers that prove the quality of his or her services.
Remember, if something doesn’t feel right or you have questions or concerns you just can’t seem to get answered, don’t be afraid to continue your search until you find the right attorney.
Family Law Attorney FAQs
When I hire them, how often will I hear from the attorney?
We have found that one of the most frequent complaints amongst our clients about their prior attorneys has been "my attorney never called me" or "it took him/her a long time to return my phone calls." We make it a priority to return calls the same day during our normal working hours. We frequently provide updates when we haven’t heard anything from the other side or when there is no movement on a case. You are also welcome to call us anytime during normal working hours and we will be happy to discuss the progress of your case and answer any questions you might have.
How do I know my case has a chance for success?
There are no guarantees in family law cases, and every case seems to have its own unique set of circumstances. However, you can be assured that when hiring an attorney at Spokey & Richards we are prepared and ready to zealously advocate for your rights.
What is a "case management" style of law practice?
A "case management" style of law practice is found to alleviate the looming bills attached with most family law matters. When a legal team takes on a case , the attorneys and staff should work to resolve virtually all of the client’s issues within an agreed upon budget.
Will you take my case for free?
Although we would like to say that we would love to represent all of our potential clients for free, the reality is that we need to be able to provide for our families as we assume you will be. That said, we do not take on pro bono cases at this time and require retainer fees and payment plans for services rendered.
What is your initial assessment process before taking on a case?
When taking on a new case, we generally do a conflict check to ensure that there is no conflict of interest with any of our current clients. We then proceed with a one-hour client meeting to discuss the issues, get a retainer on file, and review the case with the entire legal team to develop an initial case plan. After the retainer is paid, we can get started on your case!