Experienced, Compassionate Renton Divorce Attorney
According to statistics, at least 47% of Renton residents are married. The same report shows that at least 2.2% of the residents are married but separated. If you’re part of the local population considering divorce or already going through it, it may be necessary to contact an experienced Renton divorce attorney from Zafiro Law.
Why Zafiro Law?
There’s no doubt that there are many family law firms in Renton, WA. But the truth is, some of these law firms or even attorneys may not serve your best interests. So if that’s something you’re concerned about, you can rest easy knowing that Zafiro Law has a different approach to divorce cases.
Our law firm was founded in 2006 by attorney Katrina Zafiro. Her career as an attorney aside, attorney Katrina once experienced the sad realities of going through a divorce with no one to turn to – at least for legal counsel.
She couldn’t afford an attorney to help her get out of an abusive marriage. However, her painful yet inspiring ordeal formed the foundation for Zafiro Law, the successful family law firm that it is today. Katrina, and the rest of her team, understand what it means to travel down this road after an unhappy marriage. As a result, she swore to help individuals in similar situations find the legal advice and representation they need to navigate this complex process.
This explains why at Zafiro Law, we treat our clients like our own family and friends. As a result, we’ve established a deep connection with our clients.
We know that divorce isn’t usually the easiest thing to go through, especially if you’re still emotionally invested in the marriage. For this reason, you can count on us when you need an attorney who’s not only your friend and personal confidant but also your legal representative.
Zafiro Law strongly believes in compassion, respect, excellence, and integrity when serving the local community in Renton. Unfortunately, these are not the kind of values you’ll come across in many family law firms in the region.
Above all, attorney Katrina and her team put their client’s interests first, more than anything else. This explains why we’re not those big law firms that drain their client’s finances due to high operational costs, some of which may not even provide a solution to their legal problems. Worse still, they don’t establish a personal relationship with their clients.
Despite being in the industry for almost two decades now, we’ve kept our operating costs low. This ensures that we provide the best possible rates for our clients. As a result, our business model ensures that our clients can afford the costs of divorce and hiring an attorney at the same time.
What’s the First Thing to Do When Getting a Divorce?
There are so many things you need to do when getting a divorce. Begin by organizing important paperwork the attorney might need to fight for your rights and interests.
As a general rule, don’t threaten your partner with divorce unless you’re ready to proceed with the divorce. This is because doing so will not only hurt them but could also give them a head start in the divorce process. For example, if you have children, some parents might brainwash their children to despise their parents in order to obtain a favorable ruling during a child custody hearing.
Some of the most important documents you need to organize before getting a divorce include tax returns, bank statements, investment statements, check registers, life insurance policies, financial statements, car titles, mortgage documents, etc.
It’s also important to note that an experienced divorce lawyer might have a different opinion on the first thing to do when getting a divorce. Their opinion usually depends on the specifics of your case. For this reason, it’s always advisable to follow your attorney’s advice.
A Renton divorce attorney can help you make informed decisions. As they say, you don’t know what you don’t know. With the help of an attorney, you’ll discover things you didn’t know about or rights you never knew you had.
What Happens After Divorce Papers Are Filed?
After filing divorce papers in Washington, you’ll receive a case number. You’ll use this number to track everything about the case and for reference when needed.
The next steps after filing for divorce usually depend on the filing location and the court handling this petition. For example, in King County, the other party, often referred to as the respondent, has up to 20 days to respond to the divorce petition. If the respondent doesn’t respond within 20 days, the court could enter a default judgment, granting the petitioner (the person filing the divorce) their requests without considering the other party.
In addition, it’s important to note that the exact steps also depend on the type of divorce being filed. For instance, in an uncontested divorce in Washington, the respondent must wait for at least 90 days from the filing date for the court to finalize a divorce. This waiting period allows the other spouse to participate in the divorce and dispute the terms in the petition. After 90 days, upon the petitioner’s request, the court can finalize the divorce and dissolve the marriage.
A Renton divorce attorney can help you understand the specific steps to take or what to expect after filing for divorce in Renton, WA. This gives you peace of mind knowing that you’re working with a knowledgeable legal representative who has your best interests at heart.
Are You Looking For a Divorce Attorney in Renton, WA?
Attorney Katrina and her legal team can help you navigate the complex divorce process in King County, saving you time, money, and energy. Besides Renton, Zafiro Law also serves Kirkland, Bellevue, Shoreline, Kent, Issaquah, Mercer Island, Redmond, Sammamish, Mountlake Terrace, Lake Forest Park, Bothell, Mukilteo, Mill Creek, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Everett, and the surrounding areas. Call us at (206) 309-9645 or message us online to schedule a consultation with an experienced Renton, WA divorce attorney who’ll protect your interest while fighting for your rights.