Christopher S. Mulvaney,

Attorney and Counselor-at-Law

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THIS WEBSITE INCLUDES GENERAL INFORMATION & THE OPINIONS OF CHRISTOPHER S. MULVANEY. IT IS INTENDED TO STIMULATE A BASIS FOR QUESTIONS RELATED TO YOUR PARTICULAR FACTUAL CIRCUMSTANCES — BEFORE YOU ACT.  THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL ADVICE. IF YOU WANT LEGAL ADVICE, PLEASE MAKE A ZOOM APPOINTMENT TO SPEAK WITH ME.

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The use of email or this form for communication with MULVANEY LAW OFFICE, PLLC does not establish an Attorney-Client Relationship. If you don’t think I have responded, please check your spam folder. Time-sensitive information should not be sent through this Form or through email. Sensitive information can be uploaded to an encrypted Dropbox folder in your client file. Google Review Link Yelp Review Link

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Gonzaga University School of Law – Spokane, Washington – Class of 2002 – Cum Laude The Latin phrase “Deo patriae, scientiis, artibus” translates to “For God and country through sciences and arts”.  The initials A.M.D.G. on the seal of Gonzaga Law School stand for Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam, which is Latin for “For the Greater Glory of God” the Motto of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits): a Catholic religious order founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola.

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Divorce by Mail in Lincoln County

Lincoln County has gained a reputation as the “quickie-divorce capital of Washington” due to its streamlined process for uncontested divorces. 

Advantages

• Convenience: All necessary documents can be filed via postal mail, eliminating the need for Court appearances, saving months of time and potentially tens of thousands of dollars in expenses.
• No parenting class requirement: Unlike other counties, Lincoln County does not mandate parenting classes for divorcing couples, simplifying the process for those with children.
• Dramatically Reduced Costs: Eliminating Court appearances and associated legal fees is a much more affordable option. A litigated divorce costs about 50 times what Divorce by Mail costs ($600 v. $30,000).

• Washington Divorce Online will walk you through entering the information and will generate all needed pdf forms for you to print, sign, and mail.
• Fastest Resolution: If you have a fully agreed-upon Joint Petition Uncontested Divorce, the process in Lincoln County will be finalized in the 90-day waiting period mandated by state law plus the time it takes for the mail to arrive in Lincoln County. That is the fastest you can get divorced in Washington hence the moniker: “quickie-divorce capital of Washington.”

Circumstances Where Divorce by Mail is Inappropriate

• Only for uncontested cases: This option is only viable if both spouses agree on all aspects (absolutely every issue) of the divorce, including property division, child custody, and support. If you have even one issue on which you don’t agree in writing, Divorce by Mail is inappropriate for you.

• Agreement Must be Voluntary. If you are under duress, then Divorce by Mail is inappropriate for you. I had a case where the wife said she would agree to anything because she was afraid her husband would shoot her. A gun to your head is the definition of coercion. That client needed to be represented and advised regarding protective orders. Divorce by Mail was totally inappropriate under those circumstances.

• You are Giving Up the Right to Have a Hearing on Any Future Disputes: If you and your spouse have complex assets, a history of conflict, or foresee any potential issues in the future which may require Court intervention, then filing for divorce in Lincoln County is not advisable. You need to be able to file a Motion in the Family Court where you live to enforce the Court’s Orders and resolve disputes. Divorce by Mail in Lincoln County is for people who never want to see the Judge, not before, during, or after the Divorce. They just want the signed Certified Copy of the Decree to come in the mail and will work absolutely everything out themselves with no contact with the Court.

Circumstances Where a Litigated Divorce is Inappropriate

There are times when Litigation in King County (or your county of residence) is appropriate and necessary. If your case is contested, if you don’t agree on every issue in writing, then mediation and Court are your options for resolving your disputes.

King County, with its larger population and established legal infrastructure, offers a more traditional and comprehensive approach to contested divorce.

• Provides a forum for resolving disagreements: If you and your spouse cannot agree on the terms of the divorce, litigation allows you to address these issues in Court and obtain a binding resolution.
• Access to experienced attorneys and legal professionals: King County has a large and diverse legal community, offering a wide range of family law specialists who can guide you through the process and advocate on your behalf.
• Court protection: Litigation can be especially beneficial if there are concerns about domestic violence, abuse, or financial instability within the marriage, as the court can issue protective orders or temporary orders regarding custody and support, says Washington Law Help.
• Expert assistance for complex issues: If your divorce involves unique assets, a business, or other complicated financial matters, attorneys in King County can help with valuation, division, and other legal complexities. 

Disadvantages of Court and Litigated Divorces

• Much Longer and Much More Expensive: Litigation can be a lengthy process, involving multiple court appearances, discovery, hearings, and potentially a trial. This can lead to increased legal costs and prolonged emotional distress. Divorce by Mail takes just over 90 days. A litigated divorce could take a year or more, that is at least four times as long.
• Hourly rates for attorneys in King County can range from $400 to $700 or more. 
• Lawyers typically require a retainer fee upfront, which can range from $5,000 to $10,000 or more. 

• Court is Much More Contentious: Litigation can be an adversarial process, potentially exacerbating conflict and making it difficult for couples to maintain amicable relations. Litigation is especially negative for children.
• Publicity: Court proceedings are generally open to the public, which may be undesirable for some individuals.

“My job is spreading misery. If anyone leaves happy, I have failed.”

Family Court Judge explaining his role.

Recommendations

• If you and your spouse have reached a complete and amicable agreement on all aspects of the divorce, and your case doesn’t involve complex legal issues, you can consider the “Divorce by Mail” option in Lincoln County, particularly if you want to avoid court appearances and dramatically lower your costs. Divorce by Mail costs about $600. A litigated divorce could easily cost $30,000. Divorce by Mail costs about 2% of what a litigated divorce could cost.
• If there are disagreements or complexities in your divorce, or you need legal protection or expert guidance before, during or after your Divorce, then file in your county of residence to engage in the litigation process.

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Washington State residents can meet with me in Zoom/DocuSign from anywhere in the world, and I can notarize their electronic signatures because I am a remote online notary.  Just email me an image of your photo ID.