- SEATTLE: 206-621-1110
- TACOMA: 253-572-1000
Seattle and Tacoma Alimony and Spousal Maintenance Attorneys
Dedicated to helping clients bring their maintenance disputes to a successful resolution
When a married couple decides to dissolve their marriage through divorce or to obtain a legal separation, a court may order one spouse to make payments to the other if certain financial circumstances exist. Traditionally referred to as “alimony,” the modern terms for such payments are “spousal support” or “spousal maintenance.” These arrangements can have a significant impact on the financial well-being of both parties, particularly when there are substantial assets involved. Courts have a significant amount of discretion in deciding whether to award maintenance, so it is important for anyone who is either seeking maintenance or attempting to persuade the court to not award maintenance to discuss their case with a Washington State family law attorney at the Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess. CALL NOW FOR A FREE 15-MINUTE PHONE CONSULTATION WITH ONE OF OUR LAWYERS TODAY BY DIALING 206-621-1110 or 253-572-1000.
Factors considered in a maintenance award
Spousal maintenance is not awarded or denied because of any sort of marital misconduct, but rather is based purely on financial and economic factors. The Washington statute authorizes a court to award maintenance in any amount and in any duration that it deems just and lists some of the factors the court may consider when making a spousal support determination. These include:
- The financial resources of the spouse who is requesting maintenance, including any division of community property or child support received that is apportioned for his or her use.
- The amount of time it would take the party seeking maintenance to obtain enough training or education in order to find employment appropriate to his or her particular circumstances.
- The standard of living established while the couple was together.
- The length of the relationship.
- The age, physical and emotional condition, and financial obligations of the party seeking maintenance.
- The ability of the party not seeking maintenance to pay.
The court may consider other factors as well, so it is important for anyone involved in a maintenance dispute to present the strongest evidence they can in support of their position. An attorney will be able to evaluate your circumstances and help make your case to the court in a way that maximizes your chances of obtaining a favorable result.
Contact our Seattle and Tacoma spousal maintenance and alimony lawyers to schedule a consultation
Whether you are seeking maintenance or arguing against it, you should have an experienced attorney in your corner.
CALL NOW FOR A FREE 15-MINUTE PHONE CONSULTATION WITH ONE OF OUR EXPERIENCED FAMILY LAW ATTORNEYS.
Attorney Robert Dickson
The core of Rob’s legal practice is civil litigation, with an emphasis on construction, real estate, and business law. He represents a wide range of clients, from large construction companies to individual homeowners. His is a practical approach to law, which strives to balance the need for a successful legal outcome with a client’s financial goals (or constraints). Outside of his private practice, Rob serves as an adjunct professor at the Seattle University School of Law where he teaches real estate litigation. [ Attorney Bio ]
Thomas L. Dickson
Tom is an experienced litigator and the founding partner of the firm. For over 30 years, he’s helped clients prevail in their real estate, construction, and business law matters.
Heather Burgess
Heather represents property owners and developers in all phases of real estate development, from pre-acquisition due diligence through local permitting and appeals.
Robert P. Dickson
The core of Rob’s legal practice is civil litigation, with an emphasis on construction, real estate, and business law. He represents a wide range of clients, from large construction companies to individual homeowners.
Daniel J. Frohlich
Dan’s legal practice focuses on civil litigation, real estate law, business law and probate law. He has more than 10 years of experience as an attorney serving clients throughout Western Washington.
Mark S. Johnson
Mark’s legal practice focuses on civil litigation, real estate law, business law and family law. He works tirelessly to help his clients achieve the outcome they are looking for.
Trevor A. Zandell
Since graduating with honors from law school in 2005, Trevor has been serving the legal needs of businesses, individuals, and families across Southwest Washington.
Daniel E. Pizarro
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, Daniel is active in the firm’s civil litigation department. His practice is mainly centered around real estate law, landlord-tenant law, construction law, and probate law.
Alexander J. Wisbey
Alexander Wisbey comes to the firm with 5 years of experience as a litigator and trial attorney. He has first chaired several jury trials and has extensive experience handling arbitrations, mediations, depositions, and settlements.
Andrew Hata
Andrew is the head of our Transactional Department and focuses his practice on corporate governance, real estate transactions, commercial contracts, and corporate finance.
Kelley Duggan
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, Kelley practices in a wide range of areas, including estate planning, probate, civil litigation, and intellectual property law.
Cambria A. Queen
Cambria is an Associate with Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess in the civil litigation department, where she practices primarily real estate and probate law.
George Knight
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, George is active in the firm’s civil litigation and transactional departments. His practice is mainly centered around business law, real estate law, construction law, employment law, and probate law.
Chris Pierce-Wright
Chris comes to Phillips Burgess Tacoma from Seattle, where he served as an associate attorney focused on insurance litigation with Wilson Smith Cochran Dickerson.
Jennifer Yoo
Jennifer is an associate attorney at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess where her current practice focuses on real estate law, contract and commercial disputes, and business law.
Katherine E. Baals
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, Katherine practices in a range of areas, including real estate, construction, business, and civil litigation.
Kenneth Chan
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, PLLC, Kenny is active in the firm’s civil litigation and transactional departments. Prior to working at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, Kenny was an in-house attorney for a Fortune 100 company.
Brian Buske
Following his graduation from Lewis & Clark Law School, Brian garnered valuable client experience working on international compliance and intellectual property issues.
Kyla S. Bennett
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, Kyla practices in a range of areas, including real estate, land use, and civil litigation.
