Collaborative Divorce & Separation in Seattle, WA
Expertise. Guidance. Support.
Divorce does not have to be adversarial —
The focus can stay on shared values, family, and everyone’s best interests.
No two divorce processes ever look the same. There is no “one size fits all” approach — but there are ways to show up with courage and compassion, aim for outcomes that support everyone involved, and feel genuinely hopeful for the future.
With over 15 years of experience in divorce and family law, I’ve helped countless clients pursue amicable divorce processes that align with their goals and values.
Let’s find you a path forward.
Amicable divorce = collaboration + confidence
What does “amicable” mean?
- It’s not win/lose
- It’s compassionate
- It’s based on shared values
- It means communicating through the hard stuff
- It asks you to hear and consider new perspectives
When two people genuinely hope to end a marriage with compassion and care for the other’s long-term well-being, there is a way to navigate through difficult moments and have everyone land on their feet.
Through our work together, I’ll break a complex process into bite-sized pieces so that you can move forward with clarity and understanding.
“You were the perfect partner for me/us during this process. I really appreciate your candor, pragmatism, and thoughtful responses. Having a “good” experience during a process like this was really important to me and we got very lucky to have been referred to you.”
Let’s find solutions that everyone can agree on.
Key benefits of an amicable divorce process:
- Financial clarity — for now and for the long-term
- A co-parenting plan with built-in tools to meet future needs
- The ability and control to create intentional and unique agreements that fit with your family
- A civil, transparent process that is ultimately about finding a fair and balanced outcome
- A swifter, easier process that reduces legal overwhelm and lets you stay present in your life
- In many cases, this means that there is only one set of attorney fees, a smoother process, and higher satisfaction and confidence in the outcome.
Let’s discover if it’s a fit to work together.
Adrienne Keith Wills is a fantastic resource, not only as a lawyer but as a calm, steady person. Adrienne was so helpful in carefully walking me through each step of the process, always calm, professional yet warm, and perfectly prepared. I truly appreciated her attitude of non-combativeness and of working to find mutual solutions to sticky issues. — H.L
Frequently Asked Questions:
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- Do we need separate lawyers, documents, agreements, etc?
- Not necessarily. The court only requires one parenting plan, one documentation of property settlement, etc., so having two sets of representation may not be necessary in every circumstance.
- Do we need separate lawyers, documents, agreements, etc?
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- Can you represent us both?
- No, but that doesn’t mean things will turn adversarial. In fact, in a truly amicable divorce process, the goal is always to find a mutually agreeable outcome.
- Can you represent us both?
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- Washington State has a 90-day waiting period after filing. How does this affect my amicable divorce case?
- When people are working by agreement, cases often move more smoothly and have the potential to finalize on the client’s desired timeline, whether that’s at the 90-day mark or at some future date.
- Washington State has a 90-day waiting period after filing. How does this affect my amicable divorce case?
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- Washington State is a Community Property state. Doesn’t this mean that everything is split 50/50? So, why do I need a lawyer if everything is amicable?
- Unfortunately, Community Property is not as easy as all that. Legal analysis is always a good idea, and working with an attorney whose expertise is in this area ensures that you receive realistic guidance and long-term clarity around the financial dimensions and ramifications of your divorce process. The result can be a smoother process, as well as higher satisfaction and confidence in the outcome.
- Washington State is a Community Property state. Doesn’t this mean that everything is split 50/50? So, why do I need a lawyer if everything is amicable?
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- What is Collaborative Law? Is this what you mean when you say “collaborative divorce”?
- Collaborative Law is a formal process that includes the voluntary and free exchange of information between parties, a pledge not to litigate (go to court), and a commitment to respect for both parties’ shared goals. In some cases, this formal approach may be a good fit.However, whether we engage in a formal Collaborative Law process or not, my work is always premised on the values of collaboration and shared goals.
- What is Collaborative Law? Is this what you mean when you say “collaborative divorce”?
- Are there other options available to me besides getting divorced?
- If you’re not sure that divorce is the right next step for you and your spouse but you’re concerned about some of the financial stuff, a postnuptial agreement may be a good option. While most people are more familiar with prenuptial agreements, you can also create a “postnup.” This process takes you through intimate financial conversations and decision-making so that you can have a clear, durable financial agreement in hand—whatever the future holds.
Adrienne Keith has been a great help to me during a confusing, long, and crazy process. She has been able to explain the whys, the hows, and whens very well. I am glad to have her as an asset as I try to do this as much as possible by myself. — P.G.
If you’d like an attorney who will be a professional and practical guide to help you resolve your legal matters outside the courtroom, click to get started.