Washington State · Divorce
Washington Divorce Lawyers Based in Seattle
If you are facing divorce in Washington, View Ridge Law can handle your case from first filing to final decree. We are a Seattle firm serving King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties, and our founder wrote the bestselling book on Washington divorce.
From first filing to final decree
Divorce is never easy. The court process is demanding, the paperwork is unforgiving, and the emotional weight of ending a marriage makes both harder. Parenting plans add another layer that is legally technical and emotionally charged. Our job as your Washington divorce lawyer is to carry the legal side so you can focus on rebuilding, and to make sure every decision you sign reflects what you actually agreed to.
Call 206-966-4020 or schedule a case evaluation, and we will walk you through exactly what your divorce involves, what it requires from you, and how to prepare for it.
How We Handle Divorce Cases in Washington
The petition and the 90-day floor
Washington is a no-fault state, so a divorce begins when one spouse files a petition stating the marriage is irretrievably broken. If you live in King County, that filing goes through Superior Court in downtown Seattle or the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. From the date of filing and service, Washington imposes a 90-day waiting period before a court can finalize the divorce. That statutory floor is the only timeline anyone can honestly quote you; everything past it depends on how much you and your spouse contest.
Property, support, and the parenting plan
Washington is also a community property state. Property and debt acquired during the marriage generally belong to both spouses and must be divided fairly, which is why the document gathering we describe below matters so much. If children are involved, support is set using the state child support schedule and residential time is set through a parenting plan. We handle each of those pieces deliberately: petition and response, temporary orders where needed, full financial disclosure, negotiation or mediation where agreement is possible, and trial preparation where it is not.
What divorce changes after the decree
One thing sets our approach apart from most of the divorce law Seattle offers. Because View Ridge Law practices family law alongside estate planning, we plan for what divorce changes after the decree: your will, your beneficiary designations, your trusts. A divorce that ignores those documents is unfinished. We also handle prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, so we know how those contracts hold up when a marriage ends.
Family law services
The full range of family law, from initial planning through complex trials.
Prenuptial & postnuptial agreements
We know how these contracts hold up when a marriage ends.
A team of 13 attorneys
Serving King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties since 2014.
The Firm That Wrote the Book on Washington Divorce
Our founder, Mackenzie Sorich, is the bestselling author of The Divorce Navigator: Charting Your Path to Freedom in Washington State. When we say we will chart your path through a Washington divorce, that is not a slogan; it is literally the book she wrote for people in your position.
A verifiable record
Clients have left the firm 179 Google reviews averaging 4.5 stars. If you are comparing every divorce attorney Washington State has to offer, ask each one for this kind of verifiable record.
A full team since 2014
View Ridge Law was founded in 2014 and has grown to a team of 13 attorneys serving King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties.
Your local courts
Our attorneys handle matters at King County Superior Court in downtown Seattle and the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, along with Snohomish and Pierce County courts.
Recognized for our work
Third parties have taken notice too
The firm was named in the Seattle Times Best in the PNW selections for 2024 and 2025, appears on the Expertise.com Best Divorce Lawyers in Seattle list, and is rated on Avvo.
Meet Nathan Julius
Nathan Julius
Managing Attorney, View Ridge Law
Nathan Julius helps clients navigate high-stakes family law matters with a calm, steady approach. An experienced trial attorney, he handles divorce, child custody, support, and relocation matters while helping clients understand their options and make informed decisions.
Nathan’s background in bankruptcy law adds experience with financial structures, complex debt division, and high-net-worth family law cases. He earned his J.D. from Oklahoma City University School of Law and his B.A. from Washington State University.
Credentials: Oklahoma City University School of Law, J.D. · Washington State University, B.A. · Recognized in Best Lawyers in America for 2026 · Avvo Clients’ Choice Award · Read Nathan’s full bio →
Divorce With A Plan: Be Ready Before You Meet Your Attorney
We call our approach Divorce With A Plan, and it starts before your first attorney meeting. Request our free instant download guide, then get a jump start on your Washington divorce by having the following information ready for your attorney:
- Your and your spouse’s most recent paystubs, plus tax returns with W-2s for the last two years.
- If you own real estate, copies of your deed, mortgage statements, and real estate contracts.
- Descriptions of job benefits from both spouses’ employers.
- Pension, profit sharing, and retirement information, including yearly statements and the plan summary.
- Life, disability, and health insurance policies, with health care premium costs broken down per family member.
- Current bank statements, stock certificates, bonds, and savings certificates.
- A list of current debts, what each bill is for, and when the last payment was made.
- If you own a business, its income and B & O tax records.
- Any written community property agreement with your spouse, since Washington divides community property at divorce.
- Social security numbers for parents and children, and a copy of your driver’s license or ID.
Arriving prepared saves you attorney time and gives your Seattle legal team an accurate picture of the marital estate from day one.
Washington Divorce Questions, Answered
How long does a divorce take in Washington State?
A Washington divorce takes a minimum of 90 days from filing and service, because state law imposes a mandatory 90-day waiting period before a court can enter the final decree. Beyond that statutory minimum, the length depends on whether you and your spouse contest property division, support, or the parenting plan.
Is Washington a community property state?
Yes, Washington is a community property state, meaning property and debts acquired during the marriage generally belong to both spouses and are divided by the court in a just and equitable way. Separate property, such as assets owned before the marriage, is treated differently, which is why documentation matters.
Where do I file for divorce in King County?
King County divorce filings go through King County Superior Court, either at the courthouse in downtown Seattle or at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. Our attorneys handle matters in both locations, along with Snohomish and Pierce County courts.
How is child support calculated in Washington?
Child support in Washington is calculated under the state child support schedule, which uses both parents’ incomes to set the basic support obligation. Courts can adjust from the schedule in defined circumstances, and your attorney’s job is to make sure the income figures feeding that calculation are accurate.
What documents do I need to file for divorce in Washington?
To start a Washington divorce you need a petition for dissolution, and your case will move faster if you have your financial records ready: tax returns, paystubs, bank statements, retirement and insurance information, and a list of debts. The preparation checklist above covers the full set our View Ridge Law attorneys ask for.
Schedule a Case Evaluation
Talk to a Washington divorce lawyer who has helped write the playbook. Call 206-966-4020 to reach our Seattle office, or fill out our form to schedule a Case Evaluation. Our Client Services Directors will review your legal needs, explain how our team works, and coordinate your meeting with an attorney.
View Ridge Law
3418 NE 65th St, Suite A
Seattle, WA 98115
Phone: 206-966-4020
By appointment.
