Business Details
Your Trusted Family Law Attorney in Mercer Island, WA
The Law Office of Matthew Jolly has dedicated its practice to serving individuals and families in Washington State with comprehensive family law representation. Founded by attorney Matthew Jolly, a University of Washington Law School graduate with over 20 years of experience, our firm specializes in guiding clients through divorce proceedings, child custody matters, spousal support negotiations, and complex property division cases. Our approach combines legal expertise with sensitivity to address the emotional and practical challenges inherent in family law disputes.As both advocates and mediators, we prioritize responsible representation while exploring alternative dispute resolution methods to minimize conflict and costs. Our commitment extends beyond individual cases through roles as Guardian ad Litem and parenting evaluators, where we advocate for children's best interests while maintaining strict professional ethics and transparency in all client interactions.
Services
Mediation Services
Arbitration Representation
Guardian ad Litem
Parenting Evaluations
Divorce Consultation
Child Support Cases
Custody Modification
Spousal Maintenance
Property Division
Legal Consultation
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of specialized family law experience in Washington State
- Our attorney serves as both mediator and Guardian ad Litem
- We prioritize alternative dispute resolution to minimize client conflict
- We maintain strict ethical standards with transparent fee arrangements
- Our practice combines courtroom advocacy with personalized client service
Services
Mediation Services
Our mediation services help families resolve disputes without litigation through neutral facilitation. Matthew Jolly's expertise enables constructive dialogue for child custody, property division, and support agreements. This voluntary process empowers parties to create customized solutions while maintaining control over outcomes, often reducing emotional stress and legal costs compared to traditional court proceedings.
Guardian ad Litem
As a court-appointed Guardian ad Litem, we investigate family circumstances to advocate for children's best interests. This role involves comprehensive case evaluation, witness interviews, and evidence review to provide impartial recommendations regarding custody arrangements and parental responsibilities in complex family law matters.
Parenting Evaluations
Our parenting evaluations assess family dynamics to develop court recommendations focused on children's well-being. This process includes psychological assessments, home visits, and parental interviews to determine optimal custody arrangements while maintaining strict objectivity and professional ethical standards throughout the evaluation process.
Arbitration Representation
We provide arbitration services as a binding alternative to litigation for resolving family law disputes. This formal process involves evidence presentation and legal argumentation before a neutral arbitrator who issues enforceable decisions regarding child-related matters, spousal support, and property division with greater procedural flexibility than traditional court proceedings.
Child Support Cases
Our practice handles child support determinations based on Washington State's income-based guidelines. We assist clients in calculating appropriate support amounts considering combined incomes, number of children, and special circumstances while addressing complex issues like self-employment income verification and shared custody arrangements.
People
Matthew Jolly
Attorney
Matthew Jolly is a Washington State family law attorney with 20+ years of experience in divorce proceedings, child custody matters, and alternative dispute resolution. He serves as both legal advocate and neutral mediator while maintaining active roles as Guardian ad Litem and parenting evaluator.
Questions
How long does a divorce take in Washington State?
Washington requires a 90-day minimum waiting period. Most divorces resolve through settlement within this timeframe, though complex cases may take 10-12 months if contested in court.
What's the difference between mediation and arbitration?
Mediation requires mutual agreement between parties with a facilitator's help, while arbitration results in a binding decision from a neutral third party without needing both parties' consent.
How is child support calculated?
Child support in Washington considers both parents' combined net income, number of children, and their ages. Special circumstances like self-employment or shared custody require additional evaluation.
Can custody arrangements be modified?
Yes, but requires demonstrating significant changes in circumstances affecting the child's best interests. Courts require evidence showing current arrangements are no longer suitable.
Is attorney representation required during mediation?
While not mandatory, we strongly recommend consulting separate attorneys during mediation to ensure proper legal guidance and document preparation for finalized agreements.
