Spousal Maintenance Lawyers in Spokane

Navigating Alimony for Clients in Eastern Washington

In Washington, alimony is legally known as spousal maintenance. Regardless of the name, the purpose remains the same: to ensure that, after a divorce, both spouses have the financial stability needed to move forward with their lives as smoothly as possible. 

Because Washington is a community property state, the transition from a dual-income or shared-asset household to two separate households can be financially jarring.

At Allen | Fischer, we understand that maintenance is often one of the most contested aspects of a divorce. Whether you are seeking the support you need to rebuild your life or you are concerned about the fairness and sustainability of an alimony request, we provide the steady, disciplined advocacy required to pursue a fair resolution.

Request an initial office or virtual consultation with a Spokane spousal maintenance attorney at (509) 262-3024 or by messaging us online. 

Seasoned Legal Representation in Alimony Cases

At Allen | Fischer, we draw on over 100 years of collective experience to optimally resolve your case. 

We help you by:

• Meticulous financial analysis. We work with financial experts to trace income, identify hidden assets, and project future living expenses.
• Skilled negotiation. We prioritize mediation and collaborative law to help you reach a mutually agreed-upon alimony arrangement, avoiding the high cost and public exposure of a trial.
• Litigation. If you and your spouse cannot reach an agreement on alimony after negotiations, we can take your case to a family law judge for a ruling. 
• Modification and enforcement. If your life circumstances change, such as a job loss or retirement, we can help you petition the court to modify an existing order. If your former spouse is failing to pay, we provide the tenacious representation needed to enforce the court order.

Why You Need Professional Guidance

Spousal maintenance is rarely a straightforward calculation. Unlike child support, which follows a rigid state formula, alimony is highly subjective and depends heavily on the requesting spouse's need and the other spouse's ability to pay.

If you are seeking support: You may be facing a significant earning gap after years of supporting a spouse’s career or staying home to raise children. You need an advocate who can clearly demonstrate your financial need and the lifestyle established during the marriage.

If you are contesting support: You may be concerned that a maintenance request is excessive, based on inaccurate financial data, or that it will leave you unable to meet your own basic obligations. You need a strategist who can present a realistic picture of your financial health before the court. 

How the Local Courts View Maintenance

Spokane County courts do not use maintenance as a punishment for a spouse’s behavior. Instead, the court’s goal is to ensure a "just and equitable" financial outcome. 

Under Washington law (RCW 26.09.090), judges consider several specific criteria:

• The financial resources of each party, including separate and community property.
• The time necessary for the seeking spouse to acquire education or training to find suitable employment.
• The standard of living established during the marriage.
• The duration of the marriage (longer marriages typically result in longer support periods).
• The age, physical condition, and emotional health of the spouse seeking maintenance.
• The ability of the other spouse to meet their own needs while paying maintenance.