Family Law

Children

• Child Custody
• Child Support
• Paternity

Couples

• Domestic Partnerships
• Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements

Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Divorce

Child Support

Collaborative Law

Custody/Visitation Rights

Divorce Mediation

1

Washington

We focus on family law issues from simple to complex and from collaborative to litigated. I have assisted people with "simple" marriage dissolutions, where all they wanted was to have me review their documents. I have worked on highly complex divisions of family businesses, debts and assets, in ways that can keep the business running.

I assist people in developing residential schedules that are in the best interests of their children - whether 'standard' or highly individualized. Whether parents live around the block from one another, or in different States, a residential schedule that meets everyone's needs can be created. I have helped with grandparent custody matters, third party custody cases, guardianships, and to create joint or 50/50 residential schedules and parenting plans. There is no one 'right' choice for everyone, and determining what your child needs is an important part of the process.

When child support needs to be set, modified or adjusted, I am able to review the information, and help people assess what the range of support might be based on different scenarios. Some parts of calculating support are 'formula' - other parts may be very individualized. If college is on the horizon, I help assure that support can be used to help your child focus on getting through school, not just paying for it.

Spousal support or 'alimony' can be used to provide for a spouse in some cases under Washington law. Whether you are asking to receive spousal support, or are defending against such support being unfairly assessed against you, having assistance from an attorney can make a significant impact on your finances. Knowing how to set a support amount that makes sense in your given circumstances requires experience.

Many issues are encompassed under the title "family law" and whether you are doing it yourself or not - good advice can make a huge difference during your day in court. We strive to provide a valuable, caring service to our clients, whether we have a one time meeting, or provide full representation.

After completing law school in San Francisco, I came back home to Washington in 1993. I worked for a non-profit group, assisting them in setting up a legal department, and then joined a small three attorney firm after that. I have worked as a family law attorney since 1993. My practice expanded to include Mediation and Collaborative family law work, and presently approximately 30% of my cases are Mediation or Collaborative cases.

I am a member of King County's bar association, and am involved in their Solo / Small firm practice group, their family law practice group, and their collaborative law practice group.

I have been working with the West Seattle Collaborative Professionals group, which is an interdisciplinary group of lawyers, therapists, financial specialists, mortgage specialists, and child specialists. We strive to learn the best means of assisting clients with their needs from a number of different angles, and to increase our presence in the community and increase awareness of Collaboration as a viable alternative for family law matters.

I have helped a client with a small business, in which both spouses were involved, keep the business running and thriving, while their divorce was ongoing. This was a challenging case, as the parties were not in agreement on parenting issues, financial issues, or business issues. In spite of this case offering a situation that was quite volatile, they settled their issues (after a few sessions in mediation) and were able to move forward co-parenting their children, and keeping their business afloat.

I helped an unmarried father who came to me shortly after the birth of his twins, move from spending only a few hours per week with the children to being a full participant in their lives. Though the mother had very little trust in his parenting abilities, he continued to work to show his commitment to the children, to improve his parenting abilities, and to steadily increase his time with them. Between his willingness to work on whatever issues arose, and my ability to show the court where his heart was, he was finally able to create a situation that put the children's needs first - rather than the worries of their mother controlling their lives. The children are nearing adulthood, and I receive school pictures of them most years from their still involved and still grateful father.

Judy is my assistant.

(206) 766-8321

We are normally open 9:30am to 5:30pm, with a 'late night' on either Wednesday or Thursday if needed for clients who cannot meet during normal office hours.

Yes

Anne speaks French.

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West Seattle Office Space Available for Meetings


Downtown Seattle King County Court House meetings can be arranged


Everett Courthouse meetings can be arranged
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See our web site AnneGould.com - we are developing some flat fee options.

Nolo customers who are representing themselves, and are seeking 'consultation / review' services only are billed at our lowest rate of $200/hour.

Mediation is normally billed at $200/hour for the first hour, and $250.00 /split between the parties, thereafter.

I normally provide the first 1/2 hour of consultation time free, and this often takes place by phone. Additional consultation during our first meeting is billed at $200/hour - billed in 10ths of hours.

Retainers ("Fee Advances" in my firm) vary depending on the type of representation. They are based on the type of representation, the complexity of the case, and the likelyhood of litigation. The funds you advance are placed in a client trust account, and billed against as the case is worked on. If your case is resolved more easily than anticipated, the un-used portion of your retainer is refunded.

Mediation cases normally are 'pay as you go' with a minimal retainer for drafting up agreements, and other post-mediation issues.

Full representation for Dissolutions or Parenting Plan matters will normally require at least a $5,000.00 initial retainer, with a replenishment requirement, and a trial retainer requirement if they are not settled 60 days before trial.

Self Help assistance and unbundled services are provided on a 'pay as you go' plan, with a minimal fee advance for phone and email communications.