Assets & Debt
Real estate, bank and investment accounts, retirement assets, vehicles, businesses and debt may all need to be identified and allocated.
WASHINGTON DIVORCE · KING & SNOHOMISH COUNTIES
Seattle Divorce Attorneys
Divorce is rarely one legal issue. It can involve children, homes, businesses, support, debt, retirement accounts, temporary orders, safety concerns, and decisions that affect what life looks like after the case is over.
Knauf Santos Law represents clients in Washington divorce and legal-separation matters, including contested and uncontested cases involving parenting, financial and property disputes.
THE CENTRAL KSL DIVORCE RESOURCE
One Divorce Case Can Contain Several Family-Law Problems
A Washington divorce legally ends a marriage, but that is often only one part of the work. The court may also need to address parenting plans, child support, property and debt, spousal maintenance, temporary arrangements, and final implementation.
This page is KSL’s central divorce resource. Use it to understand the major issues that can arise in a divorce and to reach the more specific service pages and articles that explain those issues in greater detail.
View All KSL Family Law Practice Areas →01
WHAT A DIVORCE CAN INVOLVE
The Legal Issues That Often Sit Inside a Divorce Case
These are related service topics, not separate from the divorce itself. Which issues matter depends on the facts of the marriage, the children, the finances and the orders already in place.
CHILDREN
Parenting Plans & Child Custody
Residential schedules, decision-making, restrictions, parenting disputes and related child-custody issues.
Explore Parenting Plans → SUPPORTChild Support
Establishing child support and allocating child-related expenses under Washington law.
Explore Child Support → FINANCESProperty & Debt Division
Homes, retirement, businesses, investments, debts, separate-property claims and valuation issues.
Explore Property Division → SPOUSAL SUPPORTSpousal Maintenance
Financial support questions involving need, ability to pay and the circumstances of the marriage.
Explore Maintenance → COMPLEX FINANCIAL CASESHigh Net Worth Divorce
Divorce involving substantial assets, business interests, complex compensation or sophisticated property issues.
Explore High Net Worth Divorce → CHILDREN & MOVINGRelocation
Proposed moves and objections that affect an existing or developing parenting plan.
Explore Relocation →02
THE DIVORCE PROCESS
A Washington Divorce Usually Moves Through Several Stages
Every case is different, but these stages describe the general path from filing through final orders.
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01
Filing & Service
One spouse begins the case and the other is formally served or joins the petition.
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02
Temporary Arrangements
Temporary parenting, support, housing, financial or restraining orders may be needed while the case is pending.
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03
Information & Discovery
Financial records, parenting information and other evidence are gathered and evaluated.
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04
Negotiation & Mediation
The parties work toward agreement where possible and address disputed issues.
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05
Settlement or Trial
Agreed issues are documented. Unresolved issues may require a judge to decide them.
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06
Final Orders
Final orders end the marriage and establish the enforceable terms governing property, support and parenting.
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DIVORCE WITH CHILDREN
Divorce With Children Adds Parenting and Support Issues
When spouses share children, the divorce must address more than the end of the marriage. Parenting plans establish residential schedules and decision-making, while child-support orders address financial support and related child expenses.
Temporary parenting and support orders may also be important while the case is pending.
Read: Divorce in Washington State With a Child → Explore Parenting Plans & Child Custody →04
PROPERTY, HOMES & MONEY
Financial Decisions Often Shape What Comes After Divorce
Washington courts consider both community and separate property and must make a just and equitable division. That does not automatically mean dividing everything exactly in half.
Housing, Equity & Mortgages
Questions can include who remains in the home temporarily, whether the property should be sold, how equity is treated and who remains liable to the lender.
Businesses & Valuation
Closely held businesses and other complex assets can create valuation, tracing and compensation issues.
05
WHILE THE CASE IS PENDING
Temporary Orders Can Stabilize the Middle of a Divorce
Parenting
Temporary residential schedules and
decision-making.
Child Support
Temporary financial support for children.
Maintenance
Temporary spousal support where appropriate.
Housing
Temporary use of the home and other property.
Bills & Accounts
Orders concerning expenses, accounts and
financial responsibilities.
If you need to change or enforce an existing final order, visit Post-Decree Modifications.
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SETTLEMENT & LITIGATION
Some Cases Resolve by Agreement. Others Need a Judge.
Many divorce cases resolve through negotiation or mediation. When agreement is reached, the terms need to be translated into clear final orders.
When important issues remain disputed, court intervention or trial may be necessary. Either way, property, debt, support, parenting and implementation details need to be addressed carefully before final orders are entered.
Read: What Not to Forget in a Divorce Settlement →07
SUPPORTING DIVORCE GUIDANCE
Divorce Questions Our Attorneys Write About
These articles answer narrower divorce questions in greater detail. This page remains the central KSL divorce service and topic resource.
Starting the Process
Children & Parenting
Money & Property
Temporary Issues
Settlement & Strategy
KNAUF SANTOS LAW
Divorce Representation Built Around the Whole Case
KSL’s practice is focused on Washington family law. Our divorce work includes the parenting, financial, support and procedural issues that often arise in the same case.
We primarily represent clients in King and Snohomish Counties and work to give clients a clear understanding of the issues, options and next steps.
What to Expect Working With KSL →
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