Same Sex Marriage in Bellevue

The Washington Family Court recognizes the legal rights of persons involved in same-sex relationships, whether partners are seeking the disillusionment of a domestic partnership or filing for divorce.

Divorce laws in Washington State are complicated, and those in same sex relationships often have even greater challenges to overcome. Our Bellevue same-sex divorce attorneys are experienced with the older laws that govern same-sex marriage, as well as the newer laws instituted since same sex marriage was recognized by the state.

Property division is an important part of any divorce, and often means making difficult choices for both partners. Couples in same-sex relationships where a legal marriage never occurred have similar rights to that of legally married couples, but you need to understand the law no matter what your situation. If you would like help understanding this process, our Bellevue gay divorce attorneys can help. When facing the realities of a divorce, making informed decisions about your future will make the process far smoother and less stressful.

If you are in an unmarried same-sex relationship and want to end the relationship, the Washington court will ask details about your personal life. Our Bellevue same-sex divorce lawyers can prepare you for these questions, so that you are fully prepared for what to expect. Questions relative to most situations include subjects focuses on property ownership, the date when your relationship began, whether your friends referred to you as “partners,” and the nature of your domestic partnership. This information is then used to determine whether the Washington Family Court will hear your case.

If the court denies hearing your case, you still have legal rights when it comes to certain assets. Our King County gay divorce attorneys offer reliable counsel that you can use to make informed decisions based on the law, while protecting your legal rights.

Legally recognized same sex marriage is still relatively new in Washington, which means that there are unique challenges that same sex couples seeking a divorce will face. Ascertaining the length of a relationship can be tricky, because a couple that's been together for 30 years may only have been married for two or three. This makes issues involving property division and alimony especially challenging.

First, your lawyer in Bellevue will want to talk to you about your marriage and relationship prior to your marriage. Once they have a grasp on your personal situation, they can help you address common divorce issues from a realistic perspective. If you have issues with taxes and have no access to your partner's financial information, our attorneys may be able to help, but it may be hard to divide retirement plans.

Residency is another issue we often face when handling same sex couple divorces. Before you can petition for divorce in Washington State, at least one partner is required to be a resident. However, the state of Washington will divorce couples married in other states as long as they meet this requirement.

At the Washington Family Law Group, we work diligently on behalf of our clients, and developed a professional reputation based on 50 years of collective experience. Throughout this time, we have defended clients in same sex marriages seeking divorce and disillusionment in Washington. We are ready to help you.

LGBT persons who failed to register a domestic partnership often think they have little legal recourse, but they too have rights to protect Bellevue property and assets acquired while they were in the relationship. Property and assets acquired throughout the unregistered partnership are still subject to division, and this includes savings accounts, retirement accounts, and even real estate.

Dealing with the many variables when a same sex relationship fails is never easy, so it's vital that you seek reliable counsel from experienced Bellevue gay divorce lawyers who can help you take the next step in a new life.

Our King County gay divorce lawyers offer a free consultation so now is the time to find out how a same-sex dissolution or divorce will affect your finances, and your life. This is an excellent opportunity to speak with an experienced Bellevue same-sex divorce lawyer who will fight to protect your interests and cares about the end result.