Columbia Family Divorce Law Blog

Custody and retirement benefits are the hardest parts of most divorces, and military service complicates both. Permanent change of station (PCS) orders and deployments shape what a workable parenting plan looks like, while federal law controls how retired pay, the Thrift Savings Plan, and survivor benefits are divided.

The parenting plan you signed when your child was four may still set every Wednesday overnight, even though that child is now fourteen, practices across town three nights a week, and has firm opinions about the schedule. In Washington, you can update an outdated plan only through a new court order, either by agreement or by filing a petition to modify. An old plan is not, by itself, a legal reason to change it. What the court requires depends on how much you want to change and why.

If your spouse is stationed at a Washington installation but still calls another state home, or you received divorce papers while preparing for a deployment, you may expect the same process any civilian couple would face. Much of it is the same: Washington law decides whether the marriage ends, how property is divided, and how parenting time is set.

If you are heading into divorce and wondering whether everything will be split 50/50, the short answer in Washington is no. Property is divided in a way the court considers “just and equitable,” which means fair under the circumstances, not automatically equal.

If you and your spouse agree on the major terms of ending your marriage, an uncontested divorce is often the best option because it is usually faster, less expensive, and less disruptive than a contested case.

If you are heading into a custody or visitation dispute, the short answer is this: Washington judges focus on your child’s best interests, with special attention to each parent’s relationship with the child, past and potential caregiving, stability, and any safety concerns.

When families face the challenges posed by domestic violence, the impacts on parental rights can be both profound and overwhelming. For parents navigating these incredibly difficult circumstances, questions about the future—your rights, your children's well-being, and your ability to maintain a stable relationship with them—can feel all-consuming.

Between long hours, high-pressure deadlines, and the constant evolution of technology, many tech professionals find themselves struggling to balance their work life with personal responsibilities at home.

Family law orders can address a wide range of issues, including child custody, visitation rights, spousal support, and property division. Unfortunately, not all parties involved in a family law case comply with the terms outlined in a court order.

Divorce is never easy. It’s a life-altering process that brings emotional, financial, and logistical challenges for everyone involved.