Following a divorce, determining who will receive alimony and the amount that will be granted can be a complicated process. At O’Brian & Associates, we guide people from all walks of life through the alimony process and provide the trusted legal assistance needed to ensure everything goes as seamlessly as possible. When it comes to establishing the terms of an alimony arrangement, is not uncommon for disputes to arise. Highly skilled in both negotiation and litigation, we are prepared to represent you if your case must be handled in the courtroom. Whether you and your ex-spouse are able to come to an amicable resolution or your situation must be handled in front of a judge, you can be confident that your case will be in highly qualified hands when you turn to our firm for legal guidance. Call today to learn more!
The Proven Legal Guidance Needed for Your
Alimony Process
Whether you will be paying or receiving the alimony, our law firm can help to ensure your rights and interests are protected.
Begin with a Consultation-
Experienced
With experience helping countless clients with alimony arrangements, we know what it takes to ensure you successfully work through your process.
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Well-Rounded
Seasoned and skilled in negotiation and litigation practices, we can represent you whether your alimony case can be resolved in or out of court.
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Passionate
We genuinely care about every single client we work with and are passionate about doing everything we can to ensure your best interests are protected.
Alimony Attorney
Protecting Your Rights During & After Divorce – (425) 629-0060
How Is Alimony Calculated?
Calculating alimony is not a cut and dry process. There are a number of factors that are considered when determining the amount of alimony that will be granted, and which party will be receiving the payments.
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Duration of Marriage
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Number & Age of Children
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Standard of Living
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Occupation & Education
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Health
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Health Costs
What You Need to Know
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Questions
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What is alimony?
Answer
Alimony, also known as spousal support, is the payment that is made from one former spouse to the other following a divorce, used to even out the difference in earning capacities between both parties. Alimony payments are granted so that both former spouses can continue to maintain the standard of living they grew accustomed to throughout the course of marriage.
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How long will alimony be paid?
Answer
Alimony is often only deemed necessary for as long as it takes for the recipient spouse to become self-supporting. However, if the divorce decree did not specify a termination date, the alimony payments must continue until the court orders otherwise. Oftentimes, alimony payments will end if the recipient party remarries.
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Can the amount of alimony change after divorce?
Answer
Yes, the amount of alimony that is granted can be decreased or increased after divorce, but you must be able to prove to the court that there has been a change in the circumstances.
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Is the husband always the party expected to pay alimony?
Answer
While most alimony awards in the past were given by former husbands to former wives, times have changed. Most marriages now consist of not just one, but two wage earners. Women are seen as less dependent, and are beginning to earn the same—if not a higher—level of income. As a result, we are beginning to see more and more orders of alimony being granted from former wife to former husband.
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Susan Millican O'Brian J.D.
CEO of O'Brian & Associates
Susan Millican O'Brian is the founder of the O'Brian & Associates, where she exclusively practices family law. As the managing officer of the corporation, she not only oversees the running of our firm, she also works closely with each of our associate attorneys, meeting bi-weekly to strategize. Together, we bring our combined total of 60+ years of experience of practicing law to every case we handle and help our clients achieve the best possible results.
Attorney O'Brian has represented clients in many dissolution cases involving significant property interests, including but not limited to the valuation and disposition of retirement, pension, employment benefits and stock option/stock awards. She also assists clients with spousal maintenance, parenting and child support matters.
Our office is committed to our clients and Attorney O'Brian listens to their concerns and goals. She has developed an effective style of paying meticulous attention to detail, and delivering unwavering advocacy on behalf of our clients. She has a dedication to professionalism that is recognized by our clients, court, and the opposition.
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Lisa H. Do J.D.
Attorney
Lisa H. Do is dedicated to helping people navigate through what can be a complex legal system, while also fighting for the best outcome for her clients and their families. Lisa first became interested in family law while performing volunteer work at community centers for children. She met numerous parents dealing with not only the emotional distress of a divorce, but also trying to understand the legal system. Her interest and desire to help these parents propelled her to go to law school and to eventually practice family law.
Lisa is acutely aware of the significant impact any legal proceeding can have on a family. Her top priorities are always to obtain the results clients desire, and to ensure they understand how their lives will be affected, both from a legal and personal context. Multi-talented, Attorney Do can serve as an aggressive advocate or a cooperative opposing counsel, depending upon the particular circumstances of the case. She is an experienced litigator who is also well equipped to resolve cases in the most advantageous manner for the client.
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Kathryn F. Peterson
Attorney
During law school, Kathryn Peterson was a judicial extern to Federal District Judge Thomas J. Whelan, served on the "San Diego Law Review," was a contributing editor to the "Journal of Contemporary Legal Issues," and was a member of USD's National Moot Court Tax Team. She is admitted to both the Washington and California State Bars. She is also admitted to the United States District Court for the Southern and Central Districts of California.
Following law school, Kathryn clerked for the Honorable Louisa S. Porter in the United States District Court in San Diego, California. After completing her clerkship, Kathryn practiced complex commercial litigation for several years before serving on the Board of Directors for International Microcomputer Software, Inc. In 2007, Kathryn joining The Walt Disney Company/ABC as Counsel, Legal Affairs.
In 2012, Kathryn founded her own family law firm in San Diego and was active in the Honorable Fiorenzo V. Lopardo Inn of Court. In 2015, together with her husband and three dogs, she moved from San Diego to Seattle where Kathryn continues to focus her practice on family law. She is particularly passionate about her volunteer work as a Court Appointed Special Advocate ("CASA") for dependent children in King County, WA.
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Marcia L. Fisher J.D.
Attorney
Marcia Fisher began practicing law in Virginia and, in 1994, moved back to her home state of Washington and started practicing law here. She is an accomplished litigator who determines and implements effective strategies for clients during all phases of a case. During her past 26 years of practice, she has represented parties in all areas of family law. She has also served as a guardian ad litem for children and incapacitated individuals, and has experience communicating with individuals from diverse social and cultural backgrounds. With mediation training, she is also an accomplished negotiator.
Marcia has participated in multi-week trials; evidentiary hearings regarding the admission of expert testimony, the enforceability of a postnuptial agreement, litigated challenges to a CR2A Agreement, and argued motions in limine. She has also examined over 200 trial exhibits in a case revealing the opposing party falsified documents effectively presented direct evidence and illustrative documents of complex financial transactions, and made numerous appearances before Family Law Commissioners and Judges in both King and Snohomish County.
Learn About the Difference
O'Brian & Associates Can Make in Your Family Law Case
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Our Founder Is in The National Advocates: Top 100 Lawyers List
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Team of Attorneys with at Least 10 Years of Experience Each
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Cutting-Edge Office & Communications Technology
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Our Counsel Is Customized to Fit Every Client's Unique Needs
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Attention to Detail, Accessibility & Responsive Service
Our Client Testimonials
Your Case is in Good Hands
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“The result of their hard work was very favorable for my daughter and I. I am so thankful to this team and the changes they were able to make for my life and my family. Everyone associated with this office has always gone above and beyond what I expected.”
N.M.
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“Susan and her firm have stood by me and my family throughout my custody hearing. Their support has been extremely reassuring in this unbearable situation.”
J.P.
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“This office treated me extremely well throughout my case. I had a very difficult and emotionally charged divorce and their team was with me and my children every step of the way. I always felt that I had a strong advocate on my side. ”
V.V.
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“I very much appreciate all of your hard work and help seeing me through the process. It really made a big difference having you both in my corner.”
K & D.T.
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“Thank you for all of your support hard work and kindness over the past 10 months. You made me feel as if I were your only client.”
W.T.
