Top Best Family Lawyers | 13996 Available

A divorce is  one of the most difficult experiences a person may go through in their lifetime, much like a death.  Most people want to go through this transition privately and without creating more conflict. I want to help families navigate their divorce in a respectful and healthy way.  It is possible to minimize, if not eliminate, the impact a divorce has on one's children and Collaborative Law encourages this.  Preserving the co-parent relationships moving forward for the benefit of one's children is essential.  Even if one does not have children, Collaborative Law helps the healing process begin in a mutually respectful manner.. Further, most people would like to make their own decisions in their divorce as they know what is going to work best for their own family; Collaborative divorce supports this.. Even if Collaborative Law is not the perfect fit for your divorce or family law case, there are many other options rather than traditional litigation. I encourage people to explore all the alternatives to litigation with an experienced attorney and pick something that fits their individual family.. I do not do any litigation cases any longer, but usually the cases do not need to end up in litigation if there are skilled conflict resolution attorneys working on the case.

As a trauma survivor, single parent, and former social worker, I decided to become an attorney because I personally understand the obstacles people face when dealing with the legal system. I have experience on both sides of the system and this experience provides me with insight and understanding that many attorneys may never experience. My goal has always been to break down barriers, help people involved in the legal system transition past their legal issues, and assist them to move on toward a brighter future.

As a family law attorney, I help couples and families work to reach a mutually agreeable resolution based on their interests and the best interests of their children. The interests of individuals, couples and families vary widely, but often include values such as financial well-being, acting in the best interest of children, maintaining privacy and dignity, and simply moving on in their lives. I work with clients to brainstorm how we can address their interests while meeting the demands of the legal process.. In our initial consultation, clients and I will often discuss the range of lawyer involvement available and what fits their needs.  We also pinpoint additional information that’s needed to help move the case forward. Typically, clients who are able to break the process into pieces find that can make an important difference between feeling consumed by their case and feeling that they can tackle the tasks they need to in order to complete the process.

I aim to provide cost-effective, results-oriented representation in divorce and post-dissolution proceedings.

I grew up in Seattle, graduated from the University of Washington and received my law degree from Willamette University School of Law in 1976.   I was a King County Superior Court bailiff before entering private practice in Kirkland.   I have represented clients in many areas, including construction, business, estate, employment discrimination, criminal and, principally, family law.   I am the founder and publisher of the Washington Family Law Reporter, a quarterly publication provided to attorneys and judges since 1982, and the WFLR Update, an electronic publication since 2003.    I was honored by the WSBA Family Law Section as the 1993 Family Law Attorney of the Year and have been recognized by my peers with a Martindale Hubble rating of "AV Preeminate".   I have served a past Board Member and President of KITH, Kirkland Interfaith Transitions in Housing, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the needs of the homeless in the Greater Kirkland area.   I am also a participating probono attorney for ELAP, the Eastside Legal Assistance Program.

For me, being an attorney means helping people find justice and resolution.  This motivating purpose is what has driven me to pursue a career of representing individuals and small business owners rather than large corporate interest.  To me, every case is personal and having a private practice allows me to provide every client with my personal attention.  Having practiced in Seattle since 1979, I am intimately familiar with Washington case law.  While it is always my hope that a case can be settled before trial, I know that this is not always possible.  I am an experienced litigator and comfortable in the court room.  If you are looking for experienced, competent, and personal representation, contact me for a free consultation to discuss your case.

Jane focuses her practice on marital dissolution cases, and post-decree matters involving high-conflict child custody and child support matters, relocation, and cases involving domestic violence. Her experience includes high-net-worth estates with complex issues such as closely held businesses, complicated compensation packages, and other valuation issues.. While Jane has extensive courtroom experience, she also understands the emotionally charged environment that surrounds family law disputes and works closely with each client to reach favorable resolutions to issues cooperatively whenever possible.

My clients and their lives are not a "game" to play in court - I will never treat them as such.  I provide competent, compassionate representation. My personal experiences with domestic violence and family law proceedings give me deep insights into how a practice can help people. I am dedicated to providing competent representation, tailored to an individual’s specific needs.  My experience as a pro tem court commissioner has allowed my skills as an attorney to flourish, all to the benefit of my clients.

I am passionate about being a strong advocate for clients during challenging times in their lives.  I understand how important family is, and will work with you to protect your rights and interests without adding unnecessarily to the stress, animosity, and chaos that can affect a family going through a divorce, custody disagreement, or other legal action.  My practice welcomes all clients, but has a particular emphasis on addressing the unique needs of survivors of domestic violence, military families, and LGBTQ families facing discrimination or extra hurdles.. Happy times can be challenging too, and I enjoy helping families that are expanding through adoption or assisted reproduction, as well as working out agreements between new partners who want to avoid future conflict.. I am an active volunteer with the King County Bar Association’s Neighborhood Legal Clinics and the Center for Children & Youth Justice's Lawyers Fostering Independence initiative, and I am dedicated to helping lower-income clients access legal help as a member of the Washington State Bar Association’s Moderate Means Program.  (Sliding-scale fee structure based on income and family size for households between 200% to 400% of the federal poverty guidelines.)

Amir John Showrai joined Wechsler Becker in 2017, but is by no means new to family law. Working since 2003, he is a seasoned attorney who brings a wealth of experience to cases in family law and real property law, which he also practices at Wechsler Becker. With a 12 year background in immigration law, focused on family based immigration and asylum, Amir John is also well versed in unique problems many immigrants face in both divorce and child custody related issues. Amir John is one of the few attorneys in Washington who handles cases involving international child abduction, which are litigated under The Hague Convention of 25 October 1980 on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, also known as the Hague Convention on Child Abduction.. Since coming to Wechsler Becker, Amir John limits his practice to family law and real property law, including landlord tenant law, which dovetails with family law, given how many of his clients have real property issues that survive the family law case itself.. When representing parents in family law litigation, particularly those involving a child custody dispute, Amir John takes the disciplined and long view, focused on results that ensure his clients have life long relationships with their children. Too many attorneys focus only on the initial temporary orders or “winning” at trial, without consideration of the lifelong impacts on their clients and their children. Sophisticated clients appreciate the difference.. Amir John’s negotiating skills set him apart. He approaches every case differently, but with few exceptions, the same goals apply to most family law matters. Work things out by agreement that can be worked out first, to minimize litigation costs and relieve client stress over the unknown. If hearings or a trial are still needed for unresolved issues, Amir John plans a litigation strategy that takes into account a client’s financial position, goals of the litigation, and proceeds from there. That translates into lower fees and happier clients.. Sometimes, negotiating skills, no matter how good, are meaningless if the opposing party or their lawyer refuses to work on a solution. That’s when Amir John’s years of experience taking cases to trial come into play. If Amir John can’t negotiate a settlement of a case, then he will take it to trial. “Sometimes, despite wanting to settle, we really have no choice but to go to trial. The trick is to know when to modify our posture from one of negotiation to a trial posture, and when to simultaneously maintain both postures. With so much on the line for my clients, knowing how to approach each case is where I am of most help to them.”. Amir John further uses this skill set and experience when acting as a neutral mediator or arbitrator. He was appointed to be a King County family court commissioner pro tem in July 2018. Trained on all facets of mediation and arbitration at JAMS during a judicial externship while in law school, Amir John is known among colleagues who hire him time and again to help their clients resolve their cases, as someone with outside the box thinking, knowledge of how to structure complex financial and real property settlements, complex parenting plans (a/k/a/ custody orders), including those that deal with international custody disputes, and his ability to bring cases to a negotiated settlement.. Although most of his cases involve complex, high asset, or high income cases, including those involving real property disputes, business valuations, and the distribution of multi-million dollar estates, he also takes on cases with little financial complexity, but with difficult domestic violence or child custody issues. He represents a wide range of clients, including small business owners, executives, financial professionals, and business people.. Stylistically, Amir John counsels clients with compassionate but non-sugar coated advice. “With so much at stake, I do all I can to apprise clients of the need to have realistic expectations, given the unique facts we work with in each case. If we settle, before doing so, clients know I have exhausted every option in pursuit of their goals. That is the foundation of my style and method of practice.”. Among the traits clients and colleagues admire in Amir John, most appreciate his cordial demeanor especially in the most hotly contested cases. Clients appreciate his attention to detail, knowledge of court rules and procedure, and good faith dealing, all of which reduce costs and avoid unnecessary litigation.. Background. In what seems like another lifetime and before becoming a lawyer, Amir John was a commercial truck driver. “At the time, I needed an adventure, and I ended up getting some solid life lessons in what hard work really comes down to. I am forever grateful for the experience.” Outside of work, Amir John’s a lifelong avid auto enthusiast, with a “small” collection of eclectic classic cars, and hobby races with five friends, most of whom he’s known since high school.. Above all, Amir John is a proud husband and father of a wife and two children whom he adores and enjoys spending as much time with as possible.

I own and operate Anjilvel Law, a dynamic boutique firm that specializes in family law and estate planning matters. Having practiced for over 28 years as an attorney in Washington State, California and Canada, I bring the benefit of my unique years of experience to serve my clients. I am a fierce advocate and my goal is to find solutions that are uniquely tailored to suit my clients' needs and interests.

I am dedicated to providing exceptional legal services to clients which includes ongoing communication and affordable fees.   I love to be able to help clients when they need legal advice in the areas of bankruptcy, probate, personal injury, and estate planning.

As a family law attorney, my job is to listen to you so I can turn your story into a strategy and solution.  My professional area of interest is representing people who are involved in high conflict parenting and financial disputes.  I know what to do and how to get a client through the process.  I am effective in settling cases and in court because I know the law and how to present the facts of my client's case.  A good client for me is one who wants a lawyer with my type of straighforward style.  My areas of practice include:. I am expanding my practice to to serve as a mediator in low cost mediations for people without attorneys. It is better to settle your case than have a judge make decisions for you. I believe that my style allows people to be heard and work through the tough issues to get to those final orders.

Attorney Sherry Collier is an aggressive and knowledgeable attorney with over 16 years experience. Her Seattle practice is devoted to family law matters, serving clients throughout King and Pierce Counties.

“Compassion for Clients”. Dave Kitchell has been representing clients in Family Law matters for over eighteen years in Western Washington. As a graduate of Seattle Law School, he chose to be a client focused family law advocate and litigator, establishing a proven record of success in all phases of family law representation. He has represented clients in Superior Court throughout the Puget Sound Region including Snohomish, King, Pierce and Thurston Counties. His practice includes a wide variety of family law matters, involving hundreds of contested motions including temporary orders, domestic violence issues, discovery and contempt matters, through trial and presentation of final orders. With a degree in Economics with honors from the University of Washington, he has negotiated complex property settlements including valuations of closely held businesses, real property, pensions, and stock option grants.. Areas of expertise include:. Divorce Property Settlement Visitation Matters Child Support Paternity Matters Domestic Violence Issues Guardianships Third Party Custody. David’s Philosophy:. “I believe the issues raised by our family law clients are some of the most challenging issues lawyers face. I am a zealous advocate for my clients and professionally help them navigate the legal, emotional and financial complexities of their cases. My clients’ issues affect the most personal parts of their lives and have long term implications for their critical relationships and financial well being. It is an honor and privilege to help resolve those issues by tirelessly working to help my clients understand their options and get the best results possible.”. Dave Kitchell was a member with Kitchell and Hively, PLLC, before working with a downtown Seattle family law firm and later joining Tsai Law Company, PLLC in 2012.

Bita has been practicing family law in King and Snohomish Counties since 2004.  Her practice areas include divorce, parenting plans, child support, relocations, post-dissolution enforcement matters, and domestic violence.. Bita strives to help her clients reach an amicable resolution, and avoid unnecessary conflict and trips to the courthouse.  Being involved in divorce and litigation can be difficult and stressful. Her goal is to reduce the impact litigation and divorce can have on everyone involved, especially the children.. Decisions made during this process can have long-lasting results.  Bita believes that maintaining an amicable and collaborative approach, helps her clients gain control of their case and their own financial future and decisions affecting their children.. However, going forward in an amicable and collaborative manner is not appropriate in some cases, especially those that involve domestic violence and abuse.  Therefore, when litigation becomes necessary, Bita will advocate and fight tirelessly for her clients and help them obtain optimal results.