Washington Family Law

Trusted Family Law Attorney Vancouver WA

Relationships are complicated. Navigate Law Group is here to help if you are experiencing issues in your personal relationships.

Our family law attorneys in Vancouver, Washington focus their practice on these sensitive and dynamic issues to ensure you have the best representation and advice. We understand that your life carries on every day while you are dealing with these complicated legal issues, and we are right there with you.

With a combined experience of 50+ years serving Vancouver, Washington, our family law attorneys are known in the local community for being fierce advocates. We help you continually strategize and watch out for your best interests. These can include child custody, spousal support, equitable asset & debt division, and more. Our family law attorneys have extensive knowledge and experience inside and outside of the courtroom, we can and are ready to help you navigate every step of the way.

Relationships are complicated. Navigate Law Group is here to help if you are experiencing issues in your personal relationships.

With a combined experience of 50+ years serving Vancouver, Washington, our family law

attorneys are known in the local community for being fierce advocates. We help you continually strategize and watch out for your best interests. These can include child custody, spousal support, equitable asset & debt division, and more. Our family law attorneys have extensive knowledge and experience inside and outside of the courtroom, we can and are ready to help you navigate every step of the way.

Divorce

A divorce is where you and your spouse have decided to legally dissolve your marriage (meaning you are no longer married to one another). At Navigate Law Group, our family law attorneys in Vancouver, WA, can assist you through this process where you will be dividing your assets and debts, determining a parenting schedule and child support if you have minor children, and addressing spousal support, among other things.

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Legal Separation

A legal separation is similar to a divorce, except that your marital status is not changed and you remain married. Through this process, you would still divide all of your assets and debts, and determine a parenting plan, child support, spousal support, etc. Our attorneys at Navigate Law Group are highly experienced in legal separation cases in Washington and stand ready to provide assistance whenever you are ready.

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Post-Final Orders

If you already have final orders but need to modify or enforce them, we are able to assist you. Some common types of final orders that need to be modified or enforced are a Final Parenting Plan, Final Child Support Order, or Final Divorce Order. There are different factors to be considered when modifying a final order, as opposed to modifying a temporary order. At Navigate Law Group, we can take you through the entire process.

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Family Planning

If you are planning for the future, either getting married or adopting a child, the family law attorneys at Navigate Law Group can help with this process. This could include a prenuptial agreement, or different types of adoption (i.e. stepparent, second parent, foster care, agency). Having the right legal documents in place help bring peace of mind. Our family law attorneys in Vancouver strive to help every type of family be successful.

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A couple who is in a committed relationship holding hands near our vancouver wa family law office.

Non-Marital Relationships

When two parties are not married, but are living together in a serious, marriage-like relationship, that is called a Committed Intimate Relationship (CIR). Some call it common law marriage, which is not recognized in WA. We can help determine your unique situation and how to go about dividing any assets and debts if it’s a CIR. The Court can also help determine a parenting schedule and child support, if applicable.

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A woman holding her hand out to signify her abusive husband to stop. If you are experienced domestic violence, please reach out to a family law attorney vancouver wa as soon as you can.

Emergency Issues

If you or your children are experiencing domestic violence, if your spouse is threatening to withdraw all funds from a retirement account or checking account, etc. those are example issues that likely require immediate (or ex parte) court intervention. At Navigate Law Group, our family law attorneys can assist you in reviewing your situation and determining if there is an immediate need for court intervention.

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Not only was she with me every step of the way, she took me from my low point and empowered me. I not only got to keep my house, my car, & maintenance for the rest of my life. If you want to best lawyer…. Then Amber from Navigate Law group is who should call. Not only do you get her help & support, you get amazing Chelsie Elliott too. They are with you every step of the way. I can’t thank you 2 enough. So looking, for a lawyer who cares & knows the law…. Amber is for you. Thank you, for everything. The best thing I ever did was hiring you!

-Michelle K.

We used the Navigate group to assist and direct us with our adoption process of our granddaughter. I am pleased to saw that with Chelsie’s assistance, the process from beginning to end went flawlessly as she efficiently guided us the whole way. She issued confidence in her knowledge of the process and it showed in all aspects right up to the final court proceedings. Simply put, a fantastic job! I highly recommend her to anyone needing this type of service. You will feel very comfortable working with Chelsie, she was great!

-Marie M.

Our Family Lawyers in Vancouver, WA

Amber M. Rushbanks (Rush)

Attorney/Co-Owner

Washington Family Law | Oregon Family Law

Chelsie M. Elliott

Attorney/Co-Owner

Washington Family Law

Tanya M. Green

Senior Attorney

Washington Family Law

Anna Vujovic

Senior Attorney

Washington Family Law | Oregon Family Law

Jessica A. Hardy (Jess)

Associate Attorney

Washington Family Law

Alyssa M. Lax

Senior Attorney

Washington Family Law

Get In Touch with Us today!

I had an urgent parenting plan contempt order that I needed to file since it was affecting my daughter’s ability to attend school. When I called in I was directed to Anna and I’m thankful I was. Anna was not only quick but professional and was authentic, sympathetic to my situation. Anna and her team were there for us when we needed questions answered. The communication was excellent which I truly appreciate! Anna is a true professional and anyone that retains her services will be in great hands.

-Tony M.

Amber and her team were professional, kind, knowledgeable and came with some incredibly helpful perspectives and suggestions on my situation. Her work helped me recognize some weak spots in my paperwork and helped right the ship. I am so grateful for her and her team and highly recommend!

-Paris S.

By the best experience when dealing with family law. Chelsea and Chelsie went above and beyond to help finalize my adoption to my son quickly and without any issues.

-David L.

Washington Family Law Questions

Is there a difference between a family law attorney vs. family lawyer?

Practically, most people don’t know the difference – including a lot of attorneys and lawyers. The two words are usually used in the context of describing an attorney. However, there is a difference between an attorney and a lawyer.

In order to practice family law in Vancouver, Washington, a person must go to law school and pass Washington state’s bar exam (a big multi-day board examination to get a license to practice law after law school). A “lawyer” is a person who has gone to law school but has not passed and/or taken the bar exam. An “attorney” is someone who has gone to law school and has passed the bar exam in Washington state.

An attorney can provide legal advice, officially represents their clients, and can practice law in a courtroom. An attorney is always a lawyer, but a lawyer is not always an attorney.

What are my options for getting legal help with a family law matter?

Typically, when you are going through a divorce or other family law matter, you have four primary options for getting help from a family law attorney in Vancouver, Washington: a free community/legal aid clinic, a single consultation, limited scope advisement, or full-scope representation.

You should also keep in mind that you can also do your own divorce or family law matter, without any professional legal assistance. However, these sorts of legal issues can be complicated and high-risk, so we recommend talking with a professional and strategizing.

What does a family law attorney do in Vancouver, Washington?

A family law attorney specializes in legal matters concerning family relationships. They handle cases such as divorce, child custody, adoption, paternity, domestic violence, and more. Their role is to provide legal advice, represent clients in court proceedings, negotiate settlements, and ensure their clients’ rights are protected.

Why do I need a family law attorney Vancouver WA?

Family law matters can be emotionally challenging and legally complex. A family law attorney has the expertise and experience to navigate these issues effectively. They can provide guidance, advocate for your interests, and help you achieve the best possible outcome for your case.

What types of cases do your family law attorneys handle?

Our Vancouver, WA family law attorneys handle a wide range of cases, including divorce, child custody and support, spousal support, property division, adoption, paternity, domestic violence restraining orders, and more.

What should I expect during the initial consultation?

During the initial consultation you should be prepared to talk to your attorney about your legal issues and concerns. If you have things you want to know, be sure to prepare your questions to ask the attorney during your call so you don’t forget, and they can best help you with answers or provide resources for what you need. If you have a case in court, be prepared with the case number so the attorney can review your case file, if needed. If you have prepared documents you want reviewed, you should send those to the attorney in advance, so you can go over them during your consultation. The attorney is there to help you, so choose how to make the best use of your time. If you are looking to hire the attorney after your consultation, you can discuss what that will look like and the costs with the attorney during your meeting.

How long does the family law process typically take in Washington State?

There is no single answer to this question, as the timeline of completing a family law case in Washington State depends on several factors. These factors include the type of case (i.e. divorce, child custody, adoption, etc.), the complexity of your case, whether or not the opposing party is represented by an attorney, the level of conflict between the parties, and whether you will need to go to court numerous times to resolve issues or can you and the opposing party work together to come to agreements.

How can I prepare for my family law case?

To prepare for your family law case, gather relevant documents such as financial records, communication with the other party, and any court orders or agreements related to your case. It’s also essential to maintain open communication with your family law attorney, follow their advice, and stay informed about the progress of your case.

How do I choose the right family law attorney for my case?

When searching for a family law attorney for your case, you should ask the following questions:

Does the attorney practice law in the state where my case is?
Does the attorney work in the county where the case will be heard?
Does the attorney practice family law?
Does the attorney handle cases like mine (i.e. divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, etc.)?
What percentage of the attorney’s practice is family law cases?
How many years of experience does the attorney have?
How many years of experience does the attorney have handling family law cases?
What do online reviews have to say about this attorney?
How much does the attorney charge per hour for cases like mine?
Does the attorney require an initial retainer, and if so, how much is it?
Does the attorney have availability to take on my case?

Most of this information can be found online. If not available online, you can find this information by contacting the attorney or law firm directly. You can also ask friends or family if they have recommendations of attorneys they have used in the past or know personally.

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices, the next step is to schedule a consultation with the attorneys you are interested in hiring. During the consultation, you may want to review the above questions with that attorney. You can also get a feel for their personality, communication style, and other traits that cannot be searched online. In the end, you want to pick an attorney that you feel comfortable communicating with and feel that they will be a zealous advocate for you in court.

How much does hiring a family law attorney cost with Navigate Law Group?

Navigate Law Group offers a range of legal professionals, who offer various services at different hourly rates. In some types of cases, you may also be offered to pay a flat fee or contingency fee for legal services. We offer a variety of representation options, and are here to assist you in your legal matter in the way that best suits your needs and budget.

Depending on the complexity of your case and your needs, Navigate Law Group can offer you representation or advice under the following options:

1. Full representation: This is when your attorney represents you at every step of your case, including drafting pleadings, filing documents with court, and going to court for you.

2. Unbundled Services or Limited Scope Assistance: This is when you work with an attorney for a limited purpose or scope of work on your case. Your attorney can assist you with advice and direction on representing yourself in your case, assist with drafting or reviewing paperwork with you, but you will be representing yourself in your court case, with the advice of your counsel to assist you through the process. In some situations, you may hire your attorney to provide limited representation in court for you for a particular hearing. The extent of the services provided are determined by your needs and amount of assistance needed.

When you hire an attorney, most cases require an initial deposit to be placed into a trust account. The deposit will be kept in your trust account to pay for your costs of representation and legal fees in your matter. You will be billed on a monthly basis by your attorney and those expenses will be drawn from your trust account. You have a duty to continue replenishing your trust account as it is diminished for as long as you wish to continue legal representation in your case. You can choose to stop work at any time and the remainder of the unused funds in your trust account will be returned to you after the attorney withdraws from your case.

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