Washington Property Division Attorneys

Washington is a community property state. Of course, you can’t split a house or a business in half. You may not be financially able to take on half of the debt. And some assets are not counted as community property.

The complex considerations of property division are further complicated by the emotions of divorce. Resentments, strained communications, and sentimental attachments can be a barrier to practical thinking and the necessary give-and-take.

While we at a Columbia Family Law Center, provide strong representation in contested divorce proceedings to ensure you get your fair share, we also work to protect your interests and reach your goals with the least amount of animosity and expense. Even in high-asset and high-conflict divorces, our experienced Federal Way attorneys can often help you reach a property division settlement agreement through negotiation, mediation and arbitration, or through focused litigation of only those specific matters that defy resolution.

Safeguarding Your Best Interests Throughout Asset Division

Our attorneys have been practicing law in Washington for more than 30 years, including the special issues relating to asset division like separate property, inheritances, gifts from parents, business holdings and issues unique to military divorce. Our attorneys are intimately familiar with the laws and common pitfalls of dividing property, and we are armed with strategies and solutions for nearly every scenario. We can help you resolve issues regarding:

• Separate property versus community property

• Division of the marital interest in homes, real estate, investments and businesses

• Sale or refinancing of the marital home

• Inheritances or gifts during the marriage

• Pensions and other retirement assets

• Cars, valuables and other possessions

• Jointly held debt (loans, credit cards, etc.)

• Spousal maintenance (if applicable)

Without an experienced attorney to guide you, you may be surprised by many possible complicating factors. The courts have jurisdiction over all community and separate property. They can sometimes divide one spouse’s separate property and award some or all of it to the other spouse. A spouse can come back years later and claim half of the retirement accounts that were not properly dealt with at the time of divorce. Proceeds from selling the house may or may not be subject to division. Columbia Family Law Center provides the experience to safeguard your immediate and long-term interests, and the creative know-how to boil these complex issues down to a mutually acceptable agreement.

We welcome the opportunity to provide guidance on these issues to same-sex couples, including those currently in domestic partnerships who have not yet benefited from the legalization of marriage in Washington state.

Cryptocurrency And Digital Asset Division In Divorce

With the tech industry’s growth in Seattle and across Washington, more divorces now involve cryptocurrency and other digital assets. These assets may include Bitcoin, Ethereum, NFTs or holdings on various online platforms. Divorce proceedings involving these modern assets require a clear understanding of how they are identified, valued and divided.

In Washington, courts treat property as either community or separate. If your spouse acquired cryptocurrency before the marriage or received it as a gift or inheritance, it might be classified as separate property. However, any gains or appreciation during the marriage may still be subject to division. Our attorneys can help clarify these distinctions, ensuring your rights are protected regarding every digital holding. 

Valuing Cryptocurrency And Digital Assets

Unlike traditional financial accounts, cryptocurrency values shift constantly. One day’s high can become the next day’s low. When dividing Bitcoin or other digital assets, accuracy in valuation matters. We work with financial professionals and forensic specialists to determine fair values as close as possible to key dates such as separation or trial. 

Without this precision, one spouse might walk away with significantly more than the other. We help ensure that your Seattle divorce reflects a fair and realistic picture of your marital estate, especially when large cryptocurrency holdings are involved.

Is Your Spouse Hiding Digital Assets?

Because of how cryptocurrency works, it is easy for spouses to hide or underreport their digital assets. Private wallets, online exchanges and even hard drives can store significant amounts of value. If you suspect your spouse is hiding Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency, we know the signs to look for. Our firm has experience uncovering hidden digital assets through thorough investigative techniques. We understand the methods used to obscure these holdings and are diligent in our pursuit of full disclosure. We can:

• Utilize forensic analysis of digital devices.

• Review financial statements.

• Analyze tax documents.

• Subpoena exchange records.

Trust our legal team to manage this complex part of your case. Our extensive experience serving Seattle tech sector clients gives us a unique understanding of how these assets are handled and hidden.

Take Advantage Of Our Experience. Contact Our Divorce Lawyers Today.

Our asset division attorneys invite you to a confidential initial consultation. Call us at to schedule your appointment, or contact us online. We serve clients in Bellevue and all communities in the Tacoma region and in Pierce and King counties.