Island County Divorce Attorney

How does a divorce work in Island County?

Island County Superior Court is a small court: two judges and a court commissioner. Its family law rules (Island County LSPR 94) change the day-to-day of a case in a few important ways:

• Filing is by email. Island County doesn't use the statewide eFileWA portal. The clerk runs its own email filing system, with PDF-only filings and a 4:00 p.m. cutoff.
• An automatic temporary order issues the day you file. It limits what both spouses can do with property and the children while the case is pending.
• Motions are heard Mondays. Anything longer than 15 minutes needs a specially set hearing, which takes planning.
• Declarations are capped at 20 pages for a motion, 20 for the response, and 10 for a reply.
• Mediation is required in most contested cases, at least 60 days before trial.
• If neither spouse has a lawyer, the court facilitator must approve the final papers before a judge will sign them.

What family law cases do we handle in Island County?

Divorce and legal separation. Agreed and contested divorces, including cases with a house, retirement accounts, military retirement, or a small business.

Parenting plans and custody. Temporary and final parenting plans, including schedules that have to work around deployments, duty stations, and ferry schedules.

Child support and spousal maintenance. Setting and modifying support, including when military pay and allowances are part of the income picture.

Domestic violence protection orders. Asking for a protection order, or responding to one.

Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. Drafting and reviewing agreements, and what makes one hold up in a Washington divorce.

Military divorce on Whidbey Island

NAS Whidbey is Island County's largest employer, and a lot of Island County divorces involve a service member. Washington allows a divorce to be filed when a spouse is stationed here, even if Washington isn't their legal home (RCW 26.09.030). Washington law also lets a deployed or activated parent ask for an expedited hearing on parenting issues and to testify remotely (RCW 26.09.010(7)). Military retirement, Survivor Benefit Plan elections, and a parenting plan that anticipates a move are the issues we see most.

What does a divorce lawyer cost?

We bill hourly against a retainer. For a divorce, the retainer is generally $10,000 to $15,000. What the whole case costs depends mostly on how many issues are disputed and whether it goes to trial. We give you an estimate at the start and tell you when something changes it. Court filing fees are separate; check the Island County Clerk's current fee schedule.

Why work with us?

Trial experience. MacKenzie Dunham has years of trial experience, including a month-long contested divorce over a multi-million-dollar company. Cases that are ready for trial settle on better terms, so we prepare every contested case as if it will be tried.

We know the Island County rules. Island County's rules on filing, page limits, mediation, and final papers are different from Snohomish County's. We work under both and plan each case around the court it's in.

Straight answers. If the law isn't on your side on an issue, we'll tell you, and we'll tell you what we'd do about it.

What clients say

“Mr. Ehrlich was extremely patient and never made me feel rushed. He took the time to truly listen and understand the details of my situation, and his knowledge and professionalism were very reassuring. It was clear that he genuinely cared about helping me and providing the best guidance possible. I would not hesitate to hire him again.”

Anonymous client, Avvo, April 2026

“If you need an attorney definitely look no further! Daniel and his team are responsive, thorough, has massive attention to detail and highly knowledgeable in their field. He'll walk through the whole process in whatever legal matters you might need. Will treat you like family.”

Adam, Avvo, May 2025

Common questions

Do I have to come to Everett?

Only if you want to. You can meet with us at our Everett office or by Zoom, and much of the work after that happens by phone, video, and email. Court hearings in your case are held in Coupeville.

My spouse lives in Snohomish County. Where do we file?

You may have a choice. Washington lets you file in the county where you live, and the general venue statute also allows the county where the other side lives. The choice decides which local rules apply for the whole case.

Is mediation required?

In most contested Island County cases, yes, and it has to be finished at least 60 days before trial. There are exceptions when there's a recent protection order or abuse.

How long does a divorce take?

At least 90 days after filing and service, which is Washington's minimum. Agreed cases can finish soon after that. Contested cases take months, and the Island County deadlines run backward from the trial date.