Top Child Custody Lawyers in Seattle | 31 available
31 Child Custody lawyers are available in Seattle, Washington, including Marguerite Smith, Matthew Webbeking, Megan O'Brien Stanley, and Natalie Roberts. These lawyers are rated between 4.6/5 to 5.0/5 and 45% provide free consultation.
Most Seattle child custody cases resolve between 4 to 15 months, depending on complexity, court schedules, and whether litigation is required.
Seattle Court Backlog
Seattle courts typically have a backlog of 120 to 250 active child custody cases, with seasonal fluctuations and resource constraints affecting processing times.
Child Custody Seattle Filing Volume
Estimated monthly filings for child custody in Seattle range from 90 to 160 cases, reflecting the city's population and family law demand.
Child Custody Case Outcomes
Approximately 35% of cases settle pre-litigation, 55% after filing but before trial, and up to 65% reach resolution at trial, though outcomes vary by case specifics.
My practice is primarily family law with an emphasis on separation, divorce, child custody and complex property including closely held business issues. My emphasis is negotiation where possible and litigation, as a last resort, where necessary.. I also provide dispute resolution services (limited to negotiation, mediation and arbitration) for closely held business disputes.. I handle WA, interstate and international cases.. I am a member of several Bar Associations and Sections amongst which are the following: KCBA Family Law section, Chair of the International Law section for KCBA, Vice Chair ABA International Family Law section, KCBA Collaborative Law Section.. My goal is to reduce stress and expense to the parties as much as possible and to explore all avenues to defuse conflict and reduce litigation.. I provide mediation,arbitration,collaborative law,cooperative law and litigation services to clients.. I am a member of the WA State, District of Columbia, Minnesota Bars, and a member of the Bar of England and Wales.. I can be reached at, e-mail:
Avvo Review
“e as my attorney then I might have lost greatly. I am thankful that I made the right choice in choo”
“Maggie and I are members of the KCBA Business law section. She has a strong business acumen which she uses seamlessly in all areas of her practice. I've admired the way she has dev…”
I am passionate about helping families reduce conflict and focus on their priorities. I strive to help clients achieve sound parenting arrangements that meet their childen's needs and financial outcomes that provide longterm stability.
Avvo Review
“actions with the court’s staff. Ms. Stanley has an innate ability to absorb and retain a substanti”
Natalie Roberts has spent the entirety of her legal career mastering her skills in family law. She is well distinguished in the legal community and known for her persistent, intelligent and strategic litigation – both in the court room and in negotiations.. When hand-crafting her legal arguments for the court room, Natalie keeps her client’s quality of life and financial stability at the forefront. She understands that every decision/request throughout a case can have major life impacts on her clients such as transporting your children to and from exchanges, ensuring you have enough spousal maintenance to pay your monthly bills, or protecting your assets to ensure the other party does not dispose of them. These details are all important. For these reasons, Natalie takes time to meet with her clients and go over every aspect of the case and her proposed strategies. Natalie firmly believes that success in or out of the courtroom requires a strong, collaborative working relationship with her clients.. Experience and a good reputation also helps when negotiating with the opposing counsel/party. She understands that not every case is meant for the courtroom and will often suggest mediation or initiating negotiations. Mediation can be, and most often is, a place where two very disagreeable parties can reach an agreement. Reaching an agreement usually means both parties can move on with their lives quicker and in a more positive atmosphere versus going to trial, which is extremely stressful for clients and their family/friends.. While reaching an agreement is generally the preferred outcome, that does not always happen. In that situation, Natalie is prepared. She is not shy in the courtroom and has represented clients in all facets of family law trials. Natalie has the attention to detail, work ethic, and knowledge to handle difficult, complex cases at trial.. Prior to working at Envision Family Law, Natalie worked for several years at a high-volume law firm in Seattle. Having worked for several years primarily in the Seattle area, Natalie established an excellent relationship with other attorneys in King County and is a familiar face to the judges and commissioners on the bench. Natalie’s practice is not limited to King County and she has significant experience in Snohomish County and Pierce County as well.. Natalie graduated Cum Laude from Seattle University School of Law in 2009. Prior to law school, Natalie attended the University of Tulsa and received a Bachelor of Arts degree, Cum Laude, in English Literature. Natalie was a member of the Division One University of Tulsa track and cross-country teams. Natalie still enjoys running in her spare time. Natalie also enjoys sailing, skiing, and other outdoor activities with her family.
Avvo Review
“staying focused when opposing council creates chaos, and most critically, she guides and advises wel”
“I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Roberts was opposing counsel on what could have been an expensive, high-conflict custody matter. Her expertise and negotiating skills allowed us to settl…”
1420 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3000 , Seattle , Washington 98101
Practice Areas: Child Custody
Ms. Heard is an attorney who practices exclusively family law in Seattle, Washington, where she has served clients for over 20 years. Her family law practice includes cases involving high-conflict parenting/custody, international custody disputes, the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, relocation, complex financial issues, restraining orders, and child support. Stacy is trained in cross-border mediation, arbitration, mediation, collaborative law, and as a Guardian ad Litem. She is a member of the American Bar Association Family Law Section and serves on council and as Chair of the International Law Committee. She is also a member of the Association of Family and Conciliatory Courts (“AFCC”) U.S. and Australian chapters. She is a past president of the Washington State AFCC chapter. Stacy is the is the author of Washington Family Law (LexisNexis Practice Guide 2019). She is currently co-authoring a book for the ABA Family Law Section on Attorneys working with Parenting Evaluators. Stacy is a frequent speaker on parenting plans in the state of Washington, nationally, and internationally.
Avvo Review
“Very knowledgeable and easy to work with. Responsive. Supportive. Was flexible with my at times d”
“I endorse this lawyer. I previously worked with Stacy. She is knowledgeable and works hard for her clients.”
Google Review
“I found it unprofessional and frankly bizarre to receive unsolicited advertising emails from an attorney who once represented the opposing side in my custody case. When I asked to …”
Troy was born and raised in Seattle. He has a large extended family living throughout the Puget Sound region and Washington state.. Mr. Courage graduated from Seattle University cum laude, majoring in liberal studies, and earing two minors, psychology, and French. Mr. Courage studied in Grenoble, France, in an immersive French program during his senior year at Seattle University.. After working for several years in the field of sales, Mr. Courage attended law school. After graduating from law school Mr. Courage volunteered with the King County Bar Association’s Family Law Mentorship program. The family law mentorship program is where Mr. Courage discovered the difference he could make in improving people’s lives by practicing family law.. Since becoming a lawyer, Mr. Courage has helped many clients in all areas of family law. Mr. Courage has experience with complex divisions of property involving multiple properties throughout Washington state. Mr. Courage has extensive experience working with Real Estate Professionals, Real Estate Appraisers, Certified Professional Accountants, Certified Divorce Financial Analysts, Psychologists, and Social Workers to achieve fair and equitable outcomes for his clients.
Avvo Review
“e" ("client-side"?) manner, including when my case required unforeseen extra hours in the courtroom.”
“I happily endorse Troy C. Courage, who is not only my colleague, but also my friend. Troy is patient, honest, and hard-working. Troy understands that clients come first, guiding th…”
2120 1st Ave N, Suite 306 , Seattle , Washington 98109
Practice Areas: Child Custody
Mr. Merrill graduated from Seattle University School of Law, earning his J.D. in 2015, and graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. in Philosophy. He believes in giving back to the community and has volunteered with the Moderate Means Program, the First Responders Will Clinic, the Ronald A. Peterson Law Clinic, and most recently the Family Law Section of the Volunteer Legal Services.. His practice is focused primarily on family law. He applies his legal knowledge to help people transition through a difficult time, and to get people to the next chapter in their life. He has handled both uncontested and contested divorces, involving parenting plans, child custody and spousal maintenance. He makes a point to maintain clear and open communication with his clients in order to achieve the best solution. Acting in the client’s best interest, he will seek a viable solution both outside and inside the courtroom.
Avvo Review
“Tyler was very helpful during my divorce, had a lot of knowledge, was on point and very assertive.”
Disclaimer: This content is based on aggregated public information and estimated market trends. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
