Divorce Lawyers in Washington State

Truce Law Divorce FAQs

What does a lawyer do in a divorce?

Ultimately, divorce lawyers provide the legal services required to facilitate separation. Every divorce is unique, so a lawyer’s role will vary in each case. If a couple has community assets or debt, then a divorce lawyer ensure they are properly divided. If you and your spouse have children, then your divorce lawyer will help you lay out a parenting plan and calculate child support. During divorce, your lawyer will help you to gather all relevant documentation and evidence, through interrogatories, subpoenas and connections with industry experts. They will also ensure that all applicable paperwork is completed correctly and submitted to court at the appropriate time. Your divorce lawyer will promote your best interests during what can be a difficult, overwhelming, and emotional process.

Do I need a divorce attorney if we agree on everything?

The short answer, yes. Here are three key reasons why:

You may not actually agree on ‘everything’.

There are countless items, assets, debts, and ongoing considerations that require division during a divorce. You may have agreed to split everything 50/50, but do you understand the complicated laws surrounding the division of retirement assets? Have you considered how to split the cost of child-related expenses? Did you put the time into your parenting plan, so that it works not just today, but years from now? A divorce lawyer will ensure that everything has been accounted for legally and practically. Many couples also forget about various shared assets, debts, or responsibilities, which a divorce lawyer knows to address.

Mediation and the division of assets is an important role of divorce lawyers, but it is not the only role.

You may think you don’t need a lawyer because you don’t require assistance dividing your assets. But this is not the only task that a divorce lawyer completes. Divorce lawyers’ complete paperwork, agreements, and other court requirements to ensure crucial documentation is completed correctly. Sometimes it’s possible to have a divorce without court appearances.

Divorce without support is stressful, time-consuming, and costly.

You could complete your divorce without a lawyer, but this is not recommended. A divorce without legal guidance is a costly and stressful mistake for many divorcees. Organizing the necessary paperwork and evidence is time-consuming for experienced lawyers, which means it’s even more challenging and demanding for an individual without any legal representation.

Should I tell my divorce lawyer everything?

Yes, you should tell your divorce lawyer everything that is relevant to your case. Some people find it difficult or embarrassing to share sensitive details, but your attorney is a professional and has your best interests in mind. If you fail to disclose information or hide important details, this could harm your case and have damaging consequences. Your conversations with your lawyer are protected by attorney-client privilege, and just because you tell your lawyer something doesn’t guarantee it will be disclosed in court.

If you’re going through a complicated and disputed divorce, then it’s likely there will be a discovery process where truths will be uncovered. Some attorneys use investigators to search for evidence. If you know that the investigator will uncover something like abuse or hidden assets, then you must tell your lawyer. If you don’t, they cannot help you when the evidence is exposed in court.

What do divorce lawyers cost?

The cost of hiring divorce lawyers ranges depending on the set of services provided. When comparing the cost of divorce lawyers, you should consider whether they offer:

Preparation of all documentation
Court representation
Outside experts
Direct line to your attorney
How much consultation time is included in the process

At Truce Law, our typical prices range from $2,200 to $10,000. We have a variety of packages to reflect that every divorce is unique to the couple. View our Divorce Lawyer Pricing.

What are the five stages of grief in divorce?

At Truce Law, we focus on the legal process of divorce so that you have the time to cope with the five emotional stages of divorce. Even when divorce is the best outcome for both parties, there are still a variety of emotions that may be experienced. Here are the typical five stages of divorce:

Denial: Refusal to accept the truth.

The first emotional stage of divorce is denial. You may experience feelings of shock, confusion, or unhappiness and you believe that it will get better. In this stage, beliefs don’t always align with reality.

Anger: Failure to understand why.

It is normal to feel angry at your ex-spouse or yourself during a divorce. Particularly if the divorce was triggered by an event of rejection or betrayal. You cannot comprehend why the divorce is happening, and your emotions can begin to feel overwhelming.

Bargaining: Defined by ‘What if?’.

In this stage, you start to question everything. What if we gave it another go? Should I have done more? How could things have been different? Could this have had a different ending? What you will learn, however, is no matter how much you ruminate on these scenarios, the outcome is unlikely to change.

Depression: Feeling empty, lonely, or lost.

During a divorce, you can lose a sense of belonging or purpose. Many feel as though they lose their ‘place’ in society. You may feel detached or depressed, experiencing symptoms like loneliness, grief, sadness, or isolation. There are many mental health professionals that are experienced in working with divorcees that can help.

Acceptance: You feel whole again.

Finally, you begin to regain your self-confidence and inner peace. You know you’re going to be okay, and you feel optimistic about the future. You know you’re supported and accept that you are beginning a new chapter in life.

We ensure that all legal matters are handled so that you can spend time focusing on your personal needs.

Where are your offices located?

We service clients all across Washington including places such as: Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Shoreline, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Renton, Lakewood, Federal Way, Tumwater, Lacey and South Bay.

Our three offices are located in Seattle, Olympia & Tacoma.

Why should I hire Truce Law?

Our mission is to provide our clients with a personalized approach and dedicated legal representation as they navigate this complex process. If you’re looking for an advocate that will keep focus on what’s best for your family and a firm that will act as more than just divorce lawyers, then look no further.