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A divorce attorney in Everett at Modern Family Law helps you end your marriage under Washington law, from filing your petition to signing the final decree. Everett divorces are filed in Snohomish County Superior Court in downtown Everett, and your first consultation is free.
Washington calls divorce a dissolution of marriage, and it's no-fault. You don't have to prove wrongdoing. You only need to state that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Your divorce decides how property and debts are divided, whether spousal maintenance is paid and, if you have children, a parenting plan and child support.
Our Everett divorce attorneys explain each step clearly so you can focus on what matters most: your family and your future.
Schedule a Free ConsultationHow your divorce moves forward depends on how much you and your spouse agree on.
If you and your spouse agree on every issue, an uncontested divorce attorney in Everett can prepare your final papers, check that they're complete and fair, and file them with the court. It's usually the fastest and least expensive way to divorce.
If you agree on some issues but not all, negotiation or mediation can help you reach a full agreement without a trial. You keep control of the decisions, and the case usually costs less.
When you can't agree, a Snohomish County judge decides the open issues. Contested cases involve financial disclosure, discovery and sometimes a trial. Most still settle before trial.
Estimate what your case may cost with our Washington attorney fees calculator.
Everett divorces are filed in Snohomish County Superior Court, located on the Snohomish County campus at 3000 Rockefeller Ave in Everett. You must live in Washington, or be a service member stationed here, when you file. There's no minimum residency period.
The court can't finalize a divorce until at least 90 days after the petition is filed and served. If you have children, Snohomish County requires an approved parenting seminar before it enters a parenting plan, unless the court waives it.
Most Washington divorces follow the same basic steps.
One spouse files the petition and has it served. The other spouse has 20 days to respond, or 60 days if served outside Washington.
If needed, the court sets temporary rules for the children, support and the home while the case is open.
Both spouses disclose income, assets and debts.
Most Everett divorces settle without a trial.
The court signs the decree and any parenting plan and child support order.
Many Everett-area families work for Boeing or serve at Naval Station Everett. Boeing pensions, 401(k) plans and stock may need to be divided. Military divorces add issues like military retirement, deployment-friendly parenting plans and Servicemembers Civil Relief Act protections. We help you understand how these benefits fit into your divorce.
Our Everett divorce attorneys will listen to your goals and give you a clear plan. Your first consultation is free.
At Modern Family Law, we go to great lengths to help clients understand the divorce process. Better understanding leads to better decisions.
Frequently asked questions
The biggest factor is how much you and your spouse disagree. Uncontested divorces cost much less than divorces that go to trial.
Washington requires at least 90 days after filing and service. Uncontested divorces can finish soon after that. Contested cases often take several months to a year or more.
It isn't required, but a lawyer helps make sure your agreement covers everything and that the court will approve it.
Yes, but federal law gives active-duty service members certain protections, including the right to ask for a delay in some court proceedings.
The part of a pension earned during the marriage is usually community property. It's often divided with a special court order that tells the plan how to pay each spouse.
You can still get divorced. If your spouse is served and doesn't respond in time, you can ask the court for a default order.
Our Calculators
We’re not fans of surprises and we suspect you aren’t either. We built these divorce calculators just for you, so you know what to expect every step of the way.
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