
Spokane Alimony Attorney
Understanding Spousal Support in Washington State
Washington State has specific laws and procedures regarding property division and alimony. Alimony, spousal support, and spousal maintenance are all terms used to describe monetary payments awarded to one spouse by the court after the marital property is divided. Get the help of a skilled Spokane alimony lawyer by calling the Law Office of Benjamin D. Platt.
Do you have questions about alimony? Call (509) 571-2277 or contact us online for a consultation.
Community Property
Washington is a community property state, which means each spouse is awarded half of the marital property. Marital assets are those acquired during the marriage. Property that is owned before the marriage, inherited, received as a gift, or purchased during the marriage with other separate property is separate property and is not divided by the court. This can cause the financial circumstances of the spouses to become uneven.
Washington State Alimony Laws
When setting an alimony award, Washington courts consider factors such as:
- The age and health of each spouse
- The standard of living during the marriage
- The ability of the paying spouse to pay alimony
- The time one spouse may need for training or education to become self-sufficient
Length of marriage is an important factor in awarding alimony payments and its duration. Permanent spousal support is often awarded to spouses in long-term marriages (25+ years). For marriages shorter than 25 years, Washington courts often use a one-to-three ratio, which means one year of alimony for every three years of marriage.
How Long Does Spousal Support Last in Washington State?
In Washington State, spousal support, or alimony, usually lasts several years or the rest of the receiving spouse's life. Generally, alimony will terminate according to the date established when the court awarded alimony. In specific circumstances, spousal support may end before that date.
When awarding alimony, Washington law requires courts to consider the requesting spouse's need for maintenance and the other spouse's ability to pay. Maintenance should be at most the recipient's needs and within the payor's ability to pay.
It is best to seek advice from an alimony attorney in Spokane to learn how the law is likely to apply in your circumstances.
Our Washington State alimony attorneys are dedicated to helping clients through the divorce, custody, and child support process.
Please call our family law firm at (509) 571-2277 for a free 30-minute consultation to learn how Washington alimony law applies to your situation.


Why Hire Us?
Our Commitment to Your Family
-
Get clear answers and honest insight before making any decisions about your case.
-
Family law is all we do, and that focus allows us to offer experienced, knowledgeable guidance every step of the way.
-
With deep local roots, we understand the community and the challenges families face here.
-
We tailor our strategies to your goals and fight for outcomes that protect what matters most to you.
-
“Ben Platt & Jason Burns are a dedicated, organized team who supported me through a tough 3-year case. Highly recommend Platt Law!”- Jim Z.
-
“Ben Platt and his team delivered exceptional results with professionalism and expertise. Highly recommend for divorce cases!”- Eva
-
Literally the best of the best! Highly recommend because they never stop giving their all and stay committed to your case. So thankful for Ben and everyone here!- Karli C.
-
Great team... they work hard for their clients. Constantly keeping you up to date on what's going on!- Casey W.
-
Most definitely recommend him. When I needed one I had like 10 interviews with different lawyers. something inside me told me that he is the one that can do the job right!!! My instinct didn't fail me!! Benjamin did a phenomenal job!!! Anything else comes up will definitely consider him for any questions!!- Sergey Y.
-
Our daughter was in a nightmare situation where she had been falsely arrested and had her baby taken from her by her husband. We called Ben and he has had the charges dropped and her baby returned. She is still going through the divorce process but we couldn’t have asked for a better lawyer. He has delivered on everything he said he could do and we cannot thank him enough. If you need help he’s the man to hire. He knows the law better than the competition and he gets real results.- Bennett family
-
“Ben Platt’s expertise and care guided my daughter through a tough custody case with compassion and skill. Highly recommend!”- Jenna C.
-
After receiving a referral for Ben, I can certainly say I will be passing along a reference of my own. Ben took care of me and provided the best service and was very straight forward and provided his service at a very fair price. I am very satisfied with the results and would work with him again.- Jon T.

-
Secure Your Family's FutureDiscover how our dedicated legal team can help you navigate family law challenges with confidence and care.
-
Experience You Can TrustWith over a decade of focused family law practice, we're here to guide you every step of the way.
-
Your Story MattersWe listen, understand, and tailor our approach to fit your unique family situation.