Ending a marriage is one of the hardest transitions a person can face. Our job is to make sure every choice you make is intentional, informed, and aligned with the life you want on the other side.
Washington is a no-fault state. You don’t prove wrongdoing. You prove the marriage is irretrievably broken. But “no-fault” doesn’t mean “no strategy.” The decisions you make in the first weeks after filing will shape the financial and emotional terrain of the next year of your life — and sometimes longer.
There’s a 90-day mandatory waiting period from the date you file and serve. Washington is also a community property state, which means assets and debts acquired during the marriage start from a presumption of 50/50. That presumption is where the conversation begins, not where it ends. Separate property, commingled funds, appreciation of pre-marital assets, business interests, retirement accounts, and debt allocation all change the math.
What you do in the first 30 days — before any motions, before any temporary orders — shapes the next 12 months. That’s why a conversation with an attorney before you file is worth more than a conversation after.
We don’t run a volume practice. Every divorce case at Strata gets a real strategy built around the client’s actual life — the kids, the finances, the timeline, and the version of the future worth protecting. We measure success by what the client walks away with on the other side, not by how loudly we can argue inside a courtroom.
Honesty comes first. If negotiation will serve you better than litigation, we’ll say so. If the other side’s offer is worse than what the court would give you, we’ll say that too. You’ll always know where you stand, what we’re doing, and why.
“Better to talk to an attorney before you do something, rather than after you've done something.”
— Paul Posadas, PartnerWe don't just file motions. We build a plan around the life you want on the other side and we work that plan through every hearing, every negotiation, every decision.
You’ll always understand where things stand and what comes next. We translate the legal process into clear, practical guidance—so you can make decisions with confidence, not guesswork.
We provide more than legal answers. We help you understand the process, the legal framework behind each decision, and connect you with trusted resources—so you can move forward informed, prepared, and supported.
Divorce isn't one case. It's several interlocking cases that have to resolve together. Here's what that actually looks like:
Community vs. separate property, what's on the table, what isn't, and how to protect what you brought in. Covers pre-marital assets, commingled funds, and appreciation disputes.
Washington doesn't use a rigid formula. Courts look at need, ability to pay, duration of the marriage, standard of living, and the non-financial contributions each spouse made.
Residential schedules, decision-making authority, holidays, and how the plan actually works in practice — not just on paper.
Washington's formula, deviations, and what happens when income is variable, imputed, or contested between self-employed and W-2 earners.
QDROs, pensions, 401(k)s — the paperwork behind the paperwork that determines what your retirement actually looks like after the divorce is final.
Valuation, buy-out, or continued ownership — and the tax consequences a DIY calculator or divorce packet won't catch.
Before we tell you what we think, we hear what you're facing.
→You should understand the legal landscape before you make decisions in it.
→A real plan with real contingencies — not a template.
→Inside the courtroom, at the negotiation table, and everywhere in between.
→You'll never wonder what's happening in your case.
→The case ends. Your life continues. We plan for both.
→Washington requires a 90-day waiting period from the date of filing and service. Most uncontested divorces resolve in 3-5 months. Contested divorces with custody disputes, significant assets, or business valuations can take 12-18 months — sometimes longer if trial becomes necessary.
No. Washington is a no-fault state. You don't have to prove infidelity, abandonment, or cruelty — only that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Fault can surface during custody or property conversations in narrow contexts, but it is not the legal basis for the divorce itself.
You must be a resident of Washington or stationed here as a member of the armed forces at the time you file. There's no minimum duration — unlike many other states that require 60 or 90 days of residency before filing, you can file the day you establish residency.
Yes, and most family law cases resolve through negotiation or mediation. Court is the backstop, not the plan. If both parties are willing to work in good faith, mediation often produces better outcomes than a contested hearing.
It depends on whether the house is community property, separate property, or a mix of the two. Options include selling and splitting proceeds, one party buying out the other, or continuing joint ownership for a defined period — often until the kids finish school.
Washington does not use a rigid formula. Courts look at need, ability to pay, duration of the marriage, standard of living during the marriage, and the contributions each spouse made — including non-financial contributions like homemaking and childcare. Short marriages typically see short-duration support, if any. Long marriages may result in extended or permanent support.
What Clients Say
Strata Family Law represents divorce clients across Thurston County (Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, Rainier, Tenino), Pierce County (Tacoma, Puyallup, University Place, Lakewood, Gig Harbor, DuPont, Bonney Lake), and Lewis County (Chehalis, Centralia, Napavine, Morton). Whether your case is in Olympia, Tacoma, or anywhere across the greater South Sound, you get the same team, the same standard, and the same commitment.
Take the first step
One conversation can change everything.
A consultation isn't a commitment. It's a chance to understand your situation, ask the questions that keep you up at night, and find out what your options are.
Call (360) 295-9577We'll get back to you within one business day.
Our office locations
Two offices. One standard. Whether you're in Olympia or Tacoma, you get the same thoughtful counsel and the same team in your corner.
Olympia Office
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(360) 295-9577Tacoma Office
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(253) 733-1533