Divorce

I enjoy representing clients in divorce or family law situations who need a variety of potential solutions. I explore resolutions that include everything from litigation to collaborative law in order to assist clients with their cases.

• Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
• Annulment
• Child Support
• Custody/Visitation Rights
• Delinquent Support Payments
• Division of Property
• Restraining Orders
• Uncontested Divorce
• Collaborative Law

Family Law

I enjoy representing clients in divorce or family law situations who need a variety of potential solutions. I explore resolutions that include everything from litigation to collaborative law in order to assist clients with their cases.

• Restraining Orders

• Child Support
• Custody

WA, Oct 1986
Bar Number: 16398

Washington State Courts; U.S. District Court Western District of Washington.

American Bar Association, Family Law and Law Office Management Sections Member; Washington State Bar Association, Family Law and Law Office Management Sections Member; King County Bar Association, Family Law and Guardian ad Litem Sections Member; East King County Bar Association, Family Law Section Member; Snohomish County Bar Association, Family Law Section Member; Washington Collaborative Law Member; King County Collaborative Law Member; International Academy of Collaborative Professionals Member; Redmond Chamber of Commerce.

I taught a seminar on unbundled legal services at Seattle University School of Law. I attend many continuing legal education classes each year on a variety of topics, but focus generally on family law. I often exceed the number of seminars required to satisfy Washington's state bar requirements.

We routinely represent clients from a variety of backgrounds. Two of my favorite cases were representing fathers in trial with regards to primary residential parent requests for their children. In both cases the guardian ad litem/parenting evaluator recommended that the children reside with the mother. I prevailed at trial on both cases. It was very satisfying because I honestly felt the evaluator had not done his job thoroughly.

Another favorite case of mine involved representing a woman in a long term marriage (30 years plus). I had to negotiate a higher level of spousal maintenance and, later, defend her against the former husband's request to lower the spousal maintenance amount. We won and she was able to keep her maintenance amount.

3

Washington

Our firm focuses all of our attention, experience, and knowledge in the area of family law. We understand the unique issues and emotions involved with these cases and offer our support by providing personal attention and exceptional service, along with experienced legal advocacy, to our clients. Our attorneys and legal assistants interact with and establish close working relationships with our clients to help guide them through the process and achieve a resolution in their best interest.

I practiced family law as a sole practitioner until 2004. In 2004 I incorporated and added two associate attorneys and additional paralegals to my staff in order to better meet my clients' needs.

I was originally a legal secretary who went back to school to become a paralegal. Before going to law school, and while going through a divorce (17 years of marriage) and raising three daughters, I worked in several law offices.

Certificate of Appreciation from King County Superior Court, 1998 to 2005.

Melodie Garrison.

(425) 869-7444

Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

No

No.

No, we do not offer fixed price services.

$235.

We offer a one-hour reduced rate consultation of $150 for new prospective clients.

Advance fee deposits vary upon the complexity of the situation. However, an advance of $4,250 is usually required. Some simple matters may require a smaller retainer of $1,700 to $2,000 paid in advance.