Table of Contents
What You Need to Know
Divorce with Far-Sighted Perspective
We know, on a deep level, what divorce does to you. This is the second biggest life stressor for a reason. What will become of your financial future? How will you get your kids through this unscathed? And what just happened to all your carefully laid plans, hopes, and dreams? You are going through a huge worldview shift. A mind-bending, life-altering event you’ve likely never experienced before—or even wanted to imagine.
Your advocate and guide to this complicated, confusing process, DuBois Levias Law Group is here to get you through this. We focus on the end result from the very beginning. This doesn’t just mean your final settlement. We help you shape a clear and hopeful new vision for your future that takes you, your kids, and the long-term wellbeing of your entire redesigned family into account.
The Before Phase
Whether you’ve made the decision, or your partner wants to file for divorce, this is a disorienting time for everyone involved. When you’re entering this new arena, you need to see yourself in a powerful way—above the fray. This is not solely about what you want in the end, it’s about who you want to be in this process.
Build your support team now. This might include your friends, your family, a therapist, a spiritual advisor. Avoid those with overt hostility towards your ex. Choose people who can help you see the bigger picture. This includes a divorce lawyer who echoes your philosophy on the process.
The First Steps
Where is your divorce venue? If you live in Seattle or Bellevue, you’ll likely file in King County. All the papers filed in court are called “pleadings.” Washington state has required forms that must be used as pleadings in all divorce cases.
This includes the Petition for the Dissolution of Marriage, usually filed with other mandatory documents. This must be properly served to the opposing party with confirmation to the court. The opposing party then officially files a Response to the Petition within a set amount of time.
When these documents have been filed and both parties have been served, the court has jurisdiction over your case. It now has the power to enter orders that must be followed by all parties.
The Early Stages
The “in between”—after the filing and before the final divorce settlement—is often dubbed “the temporary time period.” For some separating couples, this could take a few months. For others, a year plus.
It’s important to craft what your life is going to look like during this period. How will bills get paid? Who will live in the house? What will happen with the kids? Temporary agreements or court orders can help resolve short-term issues while you’re waiting to finalize your divorce.
Pinpoint what kind of divorce you might be facing. Even if you want an amicable divorce, the attitude of your ex might turn it into a high conflict one.
The Divorce Firm You Choose Now Shapes a Lifetime.
Our firm represents both men and women in equal measure. Women-owned and led by an elite team of female attorneys, we have an empathetic and practical understanding of the many subtle nuances of family law dynamics. We’re especially adept at translating the everyday realities of family life into legal frameworks that judges stand behind. Fierce and compassionate, we rise to any occasion, even complicated and high-conflict cases, while educating you on the way.
Amicable Divorce
An amicable divorce takes a measured approach to reach mutual agreements without heading to court at every turn. It’s more cost-effective and private than airing your dirty laundry in court. Avoiding conflict does not mean compromising fairness. But keep in mind it takes two to tango, if your soon-to-be-ex is volatile, or just a high-conflict personality, you will more than likely end up in a high-conflict divorce.
Collaborative Divorce
This is a very specific legal process and type of divorce resolution. You and your soon-to-be-ex mutually agree to sign a contract that says you will not go to court. Instead, you resolve to deal with this in a collaborative way by engaging a team of professionals and experts. But if this effort fails, you can always fall back on a more traditional legal approach.
High-Conflict Divorce
You keep trying to work things out, but everything seems to be getting worse. If contentious times in court now look like an inevitability, you probably have a high-conflict case on your hands. High-conflict divorces boil down to high-conflict personalities.
Mediation Representation
Mediation gives you an alternative path to court involvement that shares costs and elevates your control over the outcome of your divorce. Our representation allows for more creative problem-solving and mutually beneficial outcomes that go beyond the rigid confines of the court. All cases in King County must go to mediation before the parties are even allowed to step inside a courtroom. And the vast majority of cases settle in mediation. But if parties are unsuccessful in mediation, the courthouse awaits.
Our Experience
Legalese Defined: Temporary Agreements or Court Orders
The best way to maintain stability during the temporary time period is to enter into an agreement or court order. You could sign off on an agreed temporary order in writing with a cooperative soon-to-be-ex partner. Or you go to court and let the court commissioner make the decision for you.
Related Resources
Getting Started with Your Divorce
Learn MoreThe Divorce Planner
Learn MoreThe Divorce Process
Learn MoreFAQ
Relying on family and friends for financial and legal advice.
Hey, didn’t you say to build a support team? Yes, it’s important to have the people who love you—and who give you the wisest, most considered advice—on your side for emotional and personal support. But even if some friends and family have been through it before, no divorce is cookie cutter. Legal and financial concerns are personal and complicated. An experienced attorney can help you both understand the fine print and see the big picture.
Making emotional decisions without taking time to understand the implications.
You might be angry at your partner (for good reason). Regardless, this is not the time to be rash and revengeful. It’s also not the time to bend to whatever your ex-partner wants just to keep a tenuous peace. This is a critical moment to consider the full future ramifications of the choices you make now. Don’t worry, we’ll help you sort through the pros and cons.
Failing to employ an effective divorce strategy.
Your soon-to-be-ex might be saying, “Hey, just use my attorney. We’ll get this settled fast.” This is unethical. A lawyer cannot represent both parties in a divorce. This doesn’t mean you can’t have lawyers who work together, but each party needs an advocate to explain the law and future consequences of these big decisions. Don’t be left in a precarious position where your concerns and future are not being prioritized. You need a realistic strategy and dedicated advocate for your divorce that will take you where you want to go. Even if all else fails, and you need to take your case to court. We help you build a clear vision for how you want your divorce to unfold.
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