Issaquah Family Law FAQs

How Is Spousal Support Determined In Issaquah?

The court has significant discretion in determining spousal support, also known as “spousal maintenance” or “alimony.” Many factors are considered, such as your financial resources, your standard of living, the length of your marriage, and your age and health. Continue reading about spousal support in our Guide to Getting a Divorce in Washington State.

Will Our Assets Be Split Equally?

Washington is a community property state, meaning property acquired during marriage is usually treated as communal. However, this does not mean property is divided straight down the middle. The court has the power to divide assets equitably based on factors such as your economic situation, the length of your relationship, and how much property is involved. Talk to an Issaquah family law attorney about the likely allocation of your assets.

If your divorce is not finalized prior to December 31, then you and your spouse must file as married. If spouses are legally divorced on or before December 31, they should file single, no matter how much of that tax year they were married. Divorcing spouses must then decide whether to file joint or separate taxes. Read more about post-divorce financial obligations and tax implications in our Guide to Getting a Divorce in Washington State.

Who Pays Each Parties’ Attorney And Legal Fees?

In a divorce case, you should be prepared to pay your own legal fees. It is most common in Washington State for each party to pay his or her own legal fees, unless there is bad faith by one party or a considerable difference in the parties’ financial situations. When a party requests that the other side pay his or her legal fees, the court applies a basic two-pronged test, 1) does the person making the request have a financial need, and 2) does the person being asked to pay have the ability to pay.