Family Law in Everett and Snohomish County: What You Should Know

Navigating family law issues in Everett or anywhere in Snohomish County can be a deeply personal and emotionally complex experience. Whether you’re dealing with a divorce, a parenting dispute, or seeking court protection from domestic violence, the legal choices you make will influence your family’s future. That’s why understanding your rights under Washington law is a crucial first step.

Washington’s family law system focuses on fairness, the safety of vulnerable individuals, and the best interests of children. While these laws are designed to provide a balanced approach for all parties involved, the legal process can be overwhelming—especially when emotions are high. Working with an experienced Everett family law attorney can make a significant difference in ensuring your rights are upheld and your voice is heard.

Below are common types of family law cases filed in Snohomish County, each supported by exact language from relevant Washington statutes:

Divorce (Dissolution of Marriage)
"When a party who (1) is a resident of this state… petitions for a dissolution of marriage… (and) the other party joins in the petition or does not deny that the marriage or domestic partnership is irretrievably broken, the court shall enter a decree of dissolution."
Washington is a no-fault divorce state, so you do not have to prove misconduct. If one spouse believes the marriage cannot be repaired, that alone is sufficient to initiate the divorce process.
Read the statute: RCW 26.09.030 – Dissolution of Marriage

Parenting Plans and Decision-Making Authority
"The best interests of the child are served by a parenting arrangement that best maintains a child’s emotional growth, health and stability, and physical care."
Washington no longer uses the term “custody.” Instead, parenting plans outline where the child lives, who makes major decisions, and how parents will resolve disputes. The goal is to preserve strong relationships with both parents, whenever safe and possible.
Read the statute: RCW 26.09.002 – Best Interests of the Child

Child Support Obligations
"The legislature also intends that the child support obligation should be equitably apportioned between the parents."
Child support is determined by a standardized formula that takes into account both parents’ income and the terms of the parenting plan. The aim is to ensure financial stability for the child in both households.
Read the statute: RCW 26.19.001 – Child Support Intent

Spousal Support (Maintenance)
"The court may grant a maintenance order for either spouse… in such amounts and for such periods of time as the court deems just..."
Spousal support—often referred to as alimony—may be granted based on financial need, the length of the marriage, and the receiving spouse’s ability to become self-sufficient. It may be temporary, rehabilitative, or permanent in rare cases.
Read the statute: RCW 26.09.090 – Spousal Maintenance

Domestic Violence and Protective Orders
"The petitioner may petition for relief on behalf of himself or herself and on behalf of family or household members who are minors or vulnerable adults."
Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPOs) can be issued to prevent an abuser from contacting, threatening, or approaching a victim or their children. These orders are enforceable and can include temporary custody arrangements.
Read the statute: RCW 7.105.100 – Protection Orders

If you are dealing with any of these issues in Everett or elsewhere in Snohomish County, speaking with a qualified family law attorney can help you take informed steps toward resolution and stability.

1. Can I modify my parenting plan or child support after it’s been finalized?
Yes, you can. Washington law allows for changes to parenting plans and child support orders when a substantial change in circumstances has occurred. Examples include a significant shift in a parent's income, a relocation, or changes in a child’s health or educational needs. The court must be convinced that the change benefits the child.
“The court shall not modify a prior custody decree or a parenting plan unless it finds… a substantial change has occurred…”
Read the statute: RCW 26.09.260 – Modification of Parenting Plan

2. Do I need a lawyer to handle my family law case in Snohomish County?
Hiring an attorney isn’t required, but it's often beneficial—especially in cases involving contested parenting arrangements, financial disputes, or protection orders. If you choose to represent yourself, the Snohomish County Family Law Facilitator Program offers procedural help, though it doesn’t provide legal advice.
Explore: Snohomish County Family Law Facilitator Program

3. How is legal separation different from divorce in Washington?
Legal separation allows spouses to live apart and formalize decisions regarding property, finances, and parenting—without officially ending the marriage. This option can preserve health benefits or align with religious beliefs. Legal separation can later be converted into a divorce.
Read the statute: RCW 26.09 – Legal Separation

4. Can unmarried parents in Everett create a parenting plan?
Yes. Washington law grants both unmarried parents the right to request a court-ordered parenting plan. Once legal parentage is established, the court will use the same standards—centered on the child’s best interests—to allocate residential time and decision-making authority.
Read the statute: RCW 26.26A.440 – Parentage and Parenting Plans

5. What happens if there are allegations of abuse or neglect in a family law case?
When there are concerns about a child’s safety, the court can issue emergency protective orders, such as no-contact orders or supervised visitation. In more serious cases, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) may intervene to assess the situation and recommend safeguards.
Learn more: Washington DCYF – Child Safety and Protection

Family law isn’t just about legal documents—it’s about real people and real challenges. Whether you’re separating from a spouse, designing a parenting plan, or seeking protection from abuse, each decision you make carries long-term emotional and legal consequences. That’s why guidance matters.

In Everett and throughout Snohomish County, family law courts aim to deliver fairness and stability. But navigating the system without proper support can be confusing and stressful. Knowing your rights—and having someone to protect them—is crucial, especially when your children, your home, and your future are on the line.

At the Law Offices of Jason S. Newcombe, we provide compassionate, experienced representation for individuals and families facing critical family law matters. Whether you need help filing for divorce, modifying a support order, or protecting your children, we’re here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. Schedule your free consultation today and take your first step toward resolution and peace of mind.

Going through an Everett divorce can leave you feeling emotionally drained, wondering if the decisions you’re making are the best ones for you and your family. Protecting your own interests can be difficult if you are unsure of your legal rights, but our Everett family law attorneys are here to help. During many divorce cases issues come up that involve property division, spousal maintenance, child custody, and many others. Our Washington State family law lawyers will provide you with counsel and information to try and make the decision process easier, and help to alleviate much of the stress a divorce can cause.

The decisions made during your proceedings will affect the lives of everyone involved for many years, if not the rest of their lives. Our Everett family law attorneys take this charge seriously, and will treat your proceedings as if they were our own. Finding the right family law attorney in Everett can be challenging, but we offer a free consultation so that you can get some information before you retain a legal professional whom you can trust.

With decades of combined experience, our Everett family law attorneys have a working understanding of Washington State divorce law that will help guide you in the divorce process. You should explore all of your legal options, understand how the law applies to various aspects of your divorce case, and use that information to work to achieve a set of realistic goals. Our Everett law firm can help.

Washington State family law is designed to focus attention on what it interprets as in the best interests of any children involved in the proceedings. A Washington State judge might have good intentions where children are concerned, but they do not have the day-to-day experience with the child to truly know what is “best” for them.

Our Washington State family law lawyers maintain that nobody knows better than you what’s best for your children. This is important, because after we work together to establish a set of goals for your divorce proceedings, you will have a family law attorney in Everett who is fighting to protect your child’s future.

Obviously, the decisions you make now are not easy ones so the sooner you get started on moving forward, the sooner you can put your divorce behind you. You can talk to a legal professional from our law firm today via a free consultation. If you choose to retain an Everett family law lawyer from our law firm they will aggressively pursue your interests from start to finish. You need a Washington State lawyer that you can trust; someone who has the knowledge and experience to skillfully negotiating on your behalf and help you do all that you can to protect yourself and your children.

If you are considering a divorce or have been served with divorce papers, then you’re probably looking for answers as to what comes next. An Everett, Washington, divorce can be a complicated and emotional process that sometimes drags on over a year from the time of the filing. For this reason, it’s a good idea to talk to one of our divorce lawyers to make sure you are being treated fairly, and so that you can obtain a desirable end result.

You probably have some things that are important to you in life. Things that are at risk if you lose them in your divorce. These might be material possessions such as a car, a Washington State home, property, jewelry, or a family heirloom. Our Everett divorce attorneys will aggressively fight on your behalf to help you keep the things you hold dear.

If children are involved in your divorce then obviously there is a lot at stake. Issues such as custody, child support, and visitation will have to be addressed, especially if negotiations with your spouse are nonproductive. Our lawyers have the experience needed to handle these sensitive divorce issues, helping you ensure the best end result for you and people you love.

Undoubtedly, there is a lot on your mind right now, and Lawyers and attorneys are probably not included. You are worried about the things that matter most in life; your children, your home, vehicles, bank accounts, and high-value assets such as family businesses and life insurance plans.

Our Everett divorce and family law attorneys handle a variety of legal needs, including:

• Adoption
• Child Custody
• Child Support
• Collaborative Divorce
• Contempt Motions
• Everett, Washington State Divorce Attorneys
• Family Law
• Father’s Rights
• Large Asset Cases
• Military Divorce
• Modifying Child Support
• Modifying Spousal Maintenance
• Paternity Cases
• Prenuptial Agreements
• Property Division
• Restraining Orders and Protection Orders
• Same-Sex Marriage
• Spousal Support
• Temporary Support
• Uncontested Divorce
• Washington Divorce Law

We don’t charge a fee to answer your questions. We offer a free case evaluation to all of our potential clients, making it possible for you to get answers to your divorce questions without any risk at all. We can answer your questions and give you the facts about your divorce in a clear and concise manner. Then you can decide if you would like to retain one of our Everett divorce attorneys. If you do, then we will start working on your divorce case right away, and we will be there at your side throughout the entire process.