Arizona vs. Washington Divorce Laws: What You Need to Know Before You File

Modern Arizona

Modern Arizona
Arizona vs. Washington Divorce Laws: What You Need to Know Before You File
Mar 31, 2026 Season 9 Episode 14

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If you or someone you know is facing divorce and has ties to both Arizona and Washington, this episode could be one of the most important conversations you watch. Our host Billie Tarascio and Seattle-based family law attorney Michelle Dellino sit down to break down the critical legal differences between divorcing in Arizona versus Washington, including how property is divided, how spousal maintenance is calculated, how custody is handled, and why the state you choose to file in could dramatically change your financial future.

Michelle Dellino is the founder and owner of Dellino Family Law Group, a 16-attorney firm based in Seattle, Washington. Since starting her practice in 2013 as a solo attorney, Michelle has grown one of the most respected family law firms in the Pacific Northwest, serving clients across all of Washington State. Known for her approachable and strategic style, Michelle handles everything from high-conflict litigation to complex financial divorces involving tech industry compensation, restricted stock units, and long-term marriages.

In this episode, we cover:

➡ Why "community property" means something very different in Arizona vs. Washington

➡ How business ownership is treated in divorce in both states

➡ Spousal maintenance: Washington's flexible approach vs. Arizona's new calculator

➡ How the date of separation can make or break your case in Washington

➡ Child support table changes in Washington and what it means for high earners

➡ Custody trends is 50/50 the default in both states?

➡ How children's voices are (and aren't) heard in custody decisions

➡ Guardian ad litems, parenting evaluators, and custody evaluation differences

➡ How hard it is to modify a parenting plan in each state

➡ The growing "anti-family court corruption" movement and what attorneys really think


Learn more about Michelle Dellino and Dellino Family Law Group:

https://dellinolaw.com/

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