Central Washington Family Law Attorney
Serving Yakima, Benton, Franklin, Grant, Douglas, Kittitas & Adams counties

Washington is a community property state, which means most assets and debts acquired during the marriage are owned equally by both spouses. In a divorce, the court divides community property “justly and equitably” — which in most cases means an equal split, though exceptions apply. Separate property (owned before marriage or received as gifts or inheritance) is generally not divided. Brian Chase helps clients in Yakima, Benton, Franklin, Grant, Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas & Adams counties protect their property rights throughout the divorce process.

Washington courts do not use the term “custody” — instead, they require divorcing or separating parents to establish a Parenting Plan. The court’s primary standard is always the best interests of the child, considering factors such as each parent’s relationship with the child, work schedules, the child’s school and community ties, and any history of domestic violence or substance abuse. Brian Chase appears regularly in Yakima County Superior Court, Benton County Superior Court, Franklin County Superior Court, Grant County Superior Court, Douglas County Superior Court, Kittitas County Superior Court and Adams County Superior Court on parenting plan cases.

A legal separation establishes separate finances and a parenting plan without formally ending the marriage. The couple remains legally married. Divorce — called dissolution of marriage in Washington — permanently ends the marriage. Legal separation may be preferable for couples who have religious objections to divorce, wish to maintain health insurance coverage through a spouse’s employer, or are uncertain about permanently ending the marriage. Either can be converted to a divorce later.

Washington state has a mandatory 90-day waiting period from the date the divorce petition is served before a divorce can be finalized. An uncontested divorce where both parties agree on all issues may be completed shortly after the 90-day period. A contested divorce involving disputes over property, parenting, or support can take significantly longer — often 6 to 18 months depending on the complexity of the case and the court’s schedule.

Washington uses the Income Shares Model to calculate child support. The calculation considers both parents’ gross monthly incomes, the number of children, the residential schedule, and certain expenses such as health insurance and childcare costs. The Washington State DCS Child Support Schedule provides guidelines courts use as a baseline. Brian Chase helps clients understand their support obligations and advocates for accurate, fair calculations.

Yes. A parenting plan can be modified if there has been a substantial change in circumstances since the original plan was entered — such as a parent relocating, a significant change in a parent’s work schedule, changes in the child’s needs, or concerns about the child’s safety. Courts in Washington apply a “substantial change” threshold before considering a modification. Brian Chase handles parenting plan modifications in all eight counties he serves.

Yes. The Law Offices of Brian Chase serves family law clients throughout Yakima County, including Yakima city, Sunnyside, Selah, Grandview, and surrounding communities. Brian Chase appears in Yakima County Superior Court at 128 N 2nd Street, Yakima, WA. Bilingual Spanish consultations are available for Yakima County clients.

Brian Chase offers a one-hour family law consultation for $350. During the consultation, Brian will listen to your situation, explain your rights and options under Washington law, and answer your questions — with no pressure and no obligation to hire the firm. To schedule, call (509) 787-9000 or use the form below.