Legal separation is a family law action which allows married couples to live separately without being divorced. Simply put, legal separation is the first step before the court awards a divorce decree. A legal separation can be a prelude to a divorce, an unpleasant necessity that buys you time to put your marriage back together, or a way to trade a divorce trial for a divorce settlement agreed to out of court. Regardless of what the future holds, we'll help make this part of the processes a little less painful.

Family law is governed by state law, and divorce laws vary from state to sate. In Washington, if a couple does not want to terminate their marriage right away, they can seek a legal separation as an alternative. A divorce action, especially if it goes to trial, can be a very expensive process. However, not all people need to pay high legal fees to get a divorce. There is another way.

Legal separation simplifies the divorce process and gives the parties time to live apart, clear their minds, and try to work through things themselves. Hopefully the terms of a legal separation can be worked out without litigation. Agreements about temporary living conditions--parenting plan, child support, spousal support, debt allocation--can be made pursuant to a legal separation. Then, the parties can live separately and decide later whether they wish to reconcile or continue with a divorce. If the parties choose divorce, they have already made and tried certain arrangements, precluding the need to litigate in court.

Before entering into a legal separation, you need to get the advice and assistance of a good and experienced Seattle attorney. Each Seattle attorney at McKinley Irvin is available to solve your family law needs. Each McKinley Irvin Seattle attorney is very experienced in all aspects of family law, including divorce and legal separation. This Seattle attorney firm has over 100 years of combined experience in family law. Each McKinley Irvin Seattle attorney has represented many clients in cases like legal separation, child custody, parenting plan issues, child support, and property and debt distribution.

There are many issues that come into play while dealing with legal separation cases. Each Seattle attorney at McKinley Irvin can delicately handle these issues. When you work with a McKinley Irvin Seattle attorney, issues such as taxes, assets, and child custody will be handled professionally and with care for the client. As our client, you are the most important part of our business, and we will treat you accordingly.

Each and every Seattle attorney at MI has successfully represented their clients in valuing and dividing community property, including multi-million dollar marital estates. Moreover, our Seattle attorneys are experienced with dividing substantial employment and retirement benefits, stock options, and both government and private sector pensions. Spousal maintenance, child support, disposition of business interests and financial investments are also skillfully dealt by our Seattle attorneys.