Best Family Lawyer in Seattle
Michael Altman
Family Lawyer
With over 20 years of experience, Michael understands that many people involved in an automobile accident don’t know where or how to begin the personal injury claim process. The day of the accident and the first few days after the accident are confusing and insurance companies do little to nothing to help the accident victims. In fact, often times insurance companies try to get victims to settle quickly and close their claim. This is NOT in your best interest.
Michael’s years of experience and success allow him to provide a personal approach where clients are able to talk directly to him about their case and have all of their questions answered by a top-rated attorney.
Michael and his staff are here to help immediately and assist in everything from the initial claim reporting, property damage repairs, and getting a great settlement for your injury claim. We advise clients of their rights and all applicable insurance policies and coverages that will help you during a difficult time in your life.
Michael prides himself in his client satisfaction and his years of specializing in auto accidents and dedicated service allows to bring your case to a favorable resolution. He has helped over 3,000 people successfully resolved over $50,000,000 in cases.
Michelle T. Dellino
Family Lawyer
Michelle T. Dellino is the CEO and Founding Attorney of Dellino Family Law Group. The firm was founded by her and on her belief that there is, very simply, a solution to every problem. Her personal practice focuses on complex family law matters including high conflict cases, high asset dissolution, long-term marriage dissolution, cases involving business owners, IT, and medical professionals; domestic violence family law, and drafting agreements to help people avoid having to litigate these issues later. Both a trained mediator and former criminal trial attorney, she has the skills and experience to take a case anywhere it needs to go, whether that is a creative settlement or intensive courtroom litigation. As CEO and founding attorney, she is visionary of Dellino Family Law Group, manages the firm’s development and strategic practices, and leads the firm’s leadership team.
I am an attorney but also a human being. I have four dogs — and a longterm Sunday routine of trying to read the New York Times before they do their best to lie flat across the travel section. I have largely given up caffeine and start every day with 40 oz. of this tea. I love the Oxford comma, one space after a period, and loathe the appearance of contractions in writing — so you will not see them in mine unless it reflects a quotation. I love the sound of rain on my sliding glass doors and misty Seattle days, but I never miss a chance to escape to warm climates. If you are reading my biography page it is either because you: a) need a lawyer; b) are a client; c) are a fellow attorney and want to get to know me better/find out who I am (reach out – let’s have coffee); d) are someone looking for any information you can possibly obtain to use against me (and my clients); or e) you are a random visitor. Welcome to all of you.
One of the best moments came early in my career. It was not a trial or a hearing. It was a routine morning in the hallway of a courthouse in Tacoma after a hearing with a client in her early-20s and her mother in tow. My client walked ahead of us on the way out of the courthouse staring at her phone. Her mother was walking along side me. She shook her head, looked completely defeated, said she did not know if her daughter would ever get herself together before something worse happened and wondered what she did wrong. She said something like, “you can’t be much older than her (I was), and I am sure your mother is very proud of you.” I told her that my mom is proud of me and I talk to her at least every few days, but when I was her daughter’s age I had already dropped out of high school, ran away from home, been arrested in my youth, let my parents (who did everything right) down more than a few times, and would fall down a few more times before I decided to get back up and be a better version of myself. I told her I was not worried about her daughter, that we had spoken about her plans – and that I knew her daughter would be more than okay, that she had plenty of time to figure it out. It was the truth. She wiped away a tear and smiled for the first time all day. She then picked up the pace, took her daughter’s hand, and hugged her. This remains one of the best moments for me. That client is now a first-grade teacher. She figured it all out. She was okay. I am okay. You will be okay, too.
Steven A. Hemmat
Family Lawyer
An experienced arbitrator and mediator in civil and family law cases, Mr. Hemmat graduated from Whitman College in 1983 and earned his Juris Doctor Degree in 1986 from Lewis and Clark College. He is licensed to practice in all Washington state courts, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Hemmat worked for the U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of the Solicitor, and the Civil Division and Commercial Litigation Branch of the Assistant Attorney General’s Office, U.S. Department of Justice, in Washington, D.C.
He is a member of the Washington State and American Bar Associations. He served as a staff member of Environmental Law, a law review at Lewis and Clark, and was inducted as a member of the Cornelius Honor Society. Mr. Hemmat is actively involved in numerous community groups and has served on the board of several charitable and educational organizations.
Sara Penn
Family Lawyer
Sara Penn practices out of the firm’s Everett office, where she assists clients in the areas of divorce, child custody, child support, legal separation, and parenting plan modifications.
Sara was drawn to family law because through her strong advocacy skills, she can make a meaningful impact in the lives of people facing personal challenges.
“I love helping people through difficult and unknown situations. It‘ s gratifying to be able to make a positive contribution in the lives of others.”
Originally from Denver, Sara has lived in many regions of the country with her former active-duty military spouse. She serves as a board member with Seattle Stand Down, a nonprofit organization that supports veterans, and runs every Saturday with Wear Blue: Run to Remember, a running community that honors fallen service members. She enjoys exploring different cultures through food, listening to podcasts, and taking her rescue pup to the dog park.
Justin Aanenson
Family Lawyer
Justin grew up listening to courtroom tales told by his grandfather, a Helena, Montana defense attorney. Inspired by those stories, he became a Washington State licensed lawyer in 2012. While practicing he felt there was a better way for many to experience the family law system, which led him to launch Truce Law. Justin focuses on making the divorce process as simple as possible, by giving clients the tools they need to find an agreed solution. He is a collaboratively trained attorney as well as a certified mediator. In 2022 and 2023, Super Lawyers recognized Justin as a Rising Star, which is an honor given to less than 2.5 percent of attorneys in each state.
Outside the office you can find Justin at Cafe Mox playing his favorite game, Commander, the best version of Magic: The Gathering. He spent his last birthday spey fishing for steelhead in Oregon and this year his personal goal is to shoot par in a round of golf. This goal is years in the making, which began when he worked high school summers hauling bags as a caddy at Aldarra Golf Club.
Justin graduated from the Seattle University School of Law as a Washington State Scholar, a scholarship awarded to the top 1% of the applicant pool. Prior to law school, he earned an undergraduate degree in finance and marketing from the University of Washington. For fun, he recently completed a year long certificate program at the UW in Popular Fiction Writing.
Justin volunteers time as a mediator with the Snohomish County Dispute Resolution Center and in the Arlington small claims court. He’s also provided legal services at the Union Gospel Mission’s legal clinic and through the Washington State Bar Association’s Moderate Means Program.
Jennifer A. Forquer
Family Lawyer
Jennifer A. Forquer has been with Meridian Family Law since 2011 and has been a partner since 2013. She decided to dedicate her career to family law in 2001 when she joined a boutique, family law firm in Bethesda, Maryland where she eventually became a partner. She returned to Washington 2007 and after a brief hiatus she returned to the practice of family law in 2009.
She has extensive experience in family law and provides a wide range of services. These include representation in complex divorce proceedings, high-asset divorce, child support, same-sex family law issues, co-habitation agreements, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, collaborative divorce, parenting plans, and post-divorce matters such as modification of child support, modification of spousal support (alimony) and the enforcement of court orders and settlement agreements.
She works closely with her clients to ensure they have the information they need to make informed decisions and to plan their path forward. She believes that her clients and their children future is of utmost importance, and that while contested litigation is sometimes necessary or unavoidable, practical advice and out of court solutions can often lead to better, long-term results and can allow people to resolve their family matter with respect. In addition to being an adept litigator, she is collaboratively trained and represents clients in the collaborative divorce process.
Robert Mar
Family Lawyer
“Clients describe Rob as even-tempered and a good listener”, according to Ken Alan, Managing Attorney.
He is adept at articulating to his clients the advantages and disadvantages of any particular strategy, but “doesn’t mind making the tough argument in court at his client’s direction.” Rob is a very likable and approachable attorney.
“I was drawn to the practice of family law because the arguments and legal issues are based on fairness and equity”, admits Rob. Strong negotiation skills and being able to give practical and sound legal advice are among Rob’s strengths as an attorney.
Coming from strong family values, “I understand the importance of continued contact with your children.”
Rob is an avid poker player and loves the strategy surrounding the game. He feels that poker skills translate well to his work at Goldberg Jones and the family law arena. Additional hobbies include independent filmmaking and writing screenplays.
Mackenzie J. Sorich
Family Lawyer
Mackenzie Sorich is the owner of View Ridge Family Law & Estate Planning, which she founded in 2014 to serve families when life‘s problems become legal problems.
Before establishing her own firm, Mackenzie focused on family law and dependency law (foster care) for many years. Through this experience, she recognized the limitations of the legal system in addressing families’ holistic needs during tough times. She sought to establish a law firm that would recognize litigants as whole people who are a part of complex family structures. This seed was planted by her hands-on work with families during law school. Throughout her practice, Mackenzie has found deep satisfaction in guiding people through the complexities of the court system, conquering crisis, and planning a brighter future by partnering with her clients and team
At View Ridge Law, Mackenzie is dedicated to easing the uncertainty and challenges of the legal process by offering practical solutions with a holistic outlook. Central to her practice is empowering clients to face the future with truth and optimism.
Mackenzie’s firm covers a broad spectrum of family law and estate planning services, including adoption, custody, divorce, child support, probate, wills, trusts, and more. From initial planning to complex trials, the firm excels at providing guidance and advocacy tailored to each client’s needs.
Mackenzie grew up in Omaha, Nebraska in a hard-working blended family. She attended undergraduate college at the University of Southern California, where she discovered that she loved talking about the law and wondering what makes people tick. She returned to her home state to obtain her law degree at the University of Nebraska.
The beauty and adventure of the Pacific Northwest drew her back West. Mackenzie has made Seattle her home with her own blended family. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors with loved ones, trying new food, and traveling the world.
What is Online Divorce Mediation?
Online divorce mediation is a virtual process where divorcing couples work with a neutral third-party mediator to resolve their disputes, including issues like property division, child custody, and spousal support, without the need to go to court. Instead of meeting in person, the mediation sessions take place through video conferencing platforms, making it a more convenient and flexible option for many couples.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of online divorce mediation:
1. How Online Divorce Mediation Works
Video Conferencing: The mediation sessions are conducted via video calls using platforms like Zoom, Skype, or other secure video conferencing tools. Both parties and the mediator participate remotely, allowing for discussions and negotiations without being physically present in the same room.
Neutral Mediator: A mediator is a trained professional who remains neutral throughout the process. Their role is to facilitate open communication, help both parties identify and understand their issues, and guide them towards mutually agreeable solutions.
Voluntary Process: Mediation is a voluntary process, meaning that both parties must agree to participate. The goal is to reach an amicable agreement without resorting to a contested divorce in court.
Flexible Scheduling: Online mediation allows for more flexible scheduling, making it easier for couples to fit sessions into their busy lives without needing to travel or take time off work.
2. Benefits of Online Divorce Mediation
Convenience: One of the main advantages of online mediation is the convenience it offers. Both parties can participate from the comfort of their own homes, avoiding the stress and time associated with traveling to a mediator’s office.
Cost-Effective: Online mediation is typically more affordable than traditional litigation. By avoiding lengthy court battles and working together to resolve issues, couples can save on legal fees and other associated costs.
Privacy: Mediation sessions are confidential, meaning that the details of the discussions are not made public. This privacy can be especially valuable for couples who want to keep their divorce matters out of the courtroom.
Faster Resolution: Online divorce mediation can expedite the divorce process. Since sessions can be scheduled more flexibly and resolutions are reached through mutual agreement, the overall process can be completed faster than waiting for a court hearing.
Less Adversarial: Mediation fosters a more cooperative and less adversarial environment compared to courtroom litigation. This can help reduce conflict and tension between the divorcing parties, which is especially important when children are involved.
3. Common Issues Resolved in Online Divorce Mediation
Child Custody and Visitation: One of the most important issues in a divorce is determining child custody and visitation schedules. Through mediation, parents can work together to create a parenting plan that is in the best interest of the children.
Division of Assets and Debts: Mediators help couples negotiate how to divide their marital assets and debts, including property, bank accounts, retirement funds, and personal belongings.
Spousal and Child Support: Couples can discuss and agree on issues of spousal support (alimony) and child support payments in mediation, ensuring both parties’ financial needs are met.
Parenting Plans: Beyond custody and visitation, mediation helps parents establish a comprehensive parenting plan that covers everything from decision-making responsibilities to holiday schedules and communication about the children.
4. Is Online Divorce Mediation Right for You?
Online divorce mediation can be an excellent option for couples who:
Want a Collaborative Approach: If both parties are willing to work together to reach a fair agreement, mediation can be a successful route.
Prefer Privacy: If privacy is a concern, mediation offers a confidential environment to resolve disputes without going to court.
Have Busy Schedules: The flexibility of online mediation makes it ideal for couples who have tight schedules or live in different locations.
Want to Avoid a Costly Court Battle: For those who want to save time and money, mediation offers a more affordable and quicker alternative to traditional litigation.
5. Challenges of Online Divorce Mediation
While online mediation offers many benefits, there can also be some challenges:
Technological Barriers: Both parties need reliable internet access and familiarity with video conferencing tools. Technical difficulties could delay or disrupt sessions.
Emotional Intensity: For some couples, communicating virtually might not reduce the emotional intensity of the divorce process, and it could be difficult to navigate heated discussions without a mediator physically present.
Not Suitable for All Cases: If there is a significant power imbalance between the spouses, or if there is a history of domestic violence or abuse, mediation may not be the best option. In such cases, it may be better to seek legal representation and handle the divorce through the courts.
6. How to Prepare for Online Divorce Mediation
Organize Your Documents: Gather financial documents, including bank statements, property records, tax returns, and any other relevant paperwork. Having these documents ready will help streamline discussions on financial matters.
Know Your Goals: Before the session, identify your priorities and what you hope to achieve in the mediation. Be prepared to discuss your desired outcomes for child custody, property division, and support.
Keep an Open Mind: Mediation requires compromise, so it’s essential to approach the process with an open mind and a willingness to listen to the other party’s concerns.
Conclusion
Online divorce mediation offers a practical, cost-effective, and less adversarial way for divorcing couples to resolve their differences. By allowing both parties to work through their issues from the comfort of their homes, it provides flexibility and convenience while fostering a more cooperative environment. While it may not be suitable for every situation, many couples find that online mediation helps them navigate the complexities of divorce in a more amicable and efficient manner. If both parties are willing to negotiate in good faith, online divorce mediation can be an excellent path toward a peaceful resolution.