Elise Buie Family Law, PLLC

Elise Buie Family Law, PLLC We help families transition peacefully through divorce, custody, and estate planning services. I understand divorce both personally and professionally.

This page allows prospective clients to get to know me as an attorney and me as a human so that they can determine whether the chemistry exists to form an attorney-client relationship during one of the most stressful times in a person's life. I pride myself on my ability to work through huge problems, including major life transitions. If Hurricane Katrina did not stop me but instead propelled me t

o my passion - families - then there is no problem too big and no transition too messy. I know what it is like to be a "stay at home" mom thrust back into work to survive, and I know what it is like to juggle a demanding career and a large family. I strive to preserve civility and respect during the divorce process and reduce conflict and its impact on parents and their children. I educate my clients on the impact of conflict on the children so that my clients can make the best decisions possible for the future health of their children. I work closely with my clients to ensure that they understand their options and rights to make informed decisions about their future. I bring a breadth of experience dealing with high-conflict families to every family law case I handle. My goal is to serve each client individually, knowing that no two families are alike, so no two solutions are the same. I strive to find real-life workable solutions for the families I serve, realizing that a marriage might be over, but a family still stands. My practice involves all aspects of family law: prepping postnuptial and separation agreements, parenting plans, child support, simple and complex financial cases, relocation, and blended families. I am collaboratively trained and have had 40 hours of mediation training. I have a deep understanding of complex parenting issues, which clients may face when divorcing. I also have the needed attention to detail and experience required to capably handle complex financial cases. Families run full speed 24/7. I get that because I, too, run full speed. Our team at Elise Buie Family Law Group, PLLC, gets that too. That is why we are available to you when you are available. Family law feels like an emergency room at times - people popping in with unforeseen problems at all hours of the day and night and on weekends. Often if a client will call at the beginning of what seems like a crisis, we can divert the storm together with a bit of education and some creative problem-solving with a heart for your family's future. Having an emotionally available attorney who understands your rights and frankly explains your responsibilities is a resource not to be overlooked during your divorce.

09/03/2026

What does "best interest of the child" truly mean when it comes to family law decisions and issues?

08/31/2026

Washington raised the child support cap from $12,000 to $50,000. Your order didn't change with it. Nobody at the courthouse is reviewing your file.

House Bill 1014 took effect January 1, and it moved more than one number:

→ The economic table now runs to $50,000 in combined monthly income, up from $12,000. Above the old cap, families were left waiting on a judge's discretion. Now there's a real number.

→ The low-income threshold rose from $1,000 to $2,200. The minimum stays $50 per child, per month.

→ Required state insurance premiums now come off your gross income.

→ Educational expenses came out of the table.

→ The self-support reserve rose to 180% of the federal poverty guideline, so a parent isn't calculated below what it costs to live.

If you're between $2,200 and $12,000, your numbers didn't move. Everyone else, it's worth knowing what your order would look like today.

So before you file a modification: talk to an attorney.

There was a season when I was homeschooling four kids while building a law practice. It wasn't always easy, and it defin...
08/31/2026

There was a season when I was homeschooling four kids while building a law practice. It wasn't always easy, and it definitely wasn't perfect.

One of the biggest lessons I learned is that your child doesn't need a picture-perfect classroom or a flawless schedule. They need encouragement, consistency, and a parent who keeps showing up.

Whether you're homeschooling full-time, navigating online learning, or simply looking for ways to support your child's education, give yourself a little grace. The moments you spend together often teach lessons that can't be found in a textbook. 🤍

If you're in this season, I hope these reminders encourage you.

08/28/2026

Think Washington divorces are always split 50/50? Think again. 👇

This might be the most misunderstood part of divorce law: Washington isn't a 50/50 state. It's an equitable state. And those two words are NOT the same thing.

Does a court often land on a 50/50 split? Sure, that happens a lot.

But that's not the legal standard. The standard is equitable, which means fair based on your specific circumstances.

Courts weigh a variety of factors to decide how property gets divided, and in plenty of situations, an unequal split is actually the fair (and legally correct) outcome.

This is exactly the kind of conversation you need to have with your attorney, because understanding what factors could lead to an unequal division could make a real difference in your case. 💼

📲 Have questions about property division in your divorce? Link in bio to talk to our team.

08/28/2026

What actually happens that first year after divorce? 👇

There is a checklist. Update your will. Change your beneficiaries (401k, life insurance). New driver's license if your name changed. It's a lot of details, and yes, they need to get done.

But here's the part that's exciting: this is your time to figure out who you are now.

Because who you are in year one might look nothing like who you'll be in year five, or year ten. This is the start of your next cycle. This is not the end of something, but the beginning of your next chapter.

If you're a parent, remember: your kids are watching. How you handle change, how you problem-solve, how you show up for yourself; that's a lesson they're learning too. 💙

It's okay if it feels hard to believe right now, but chances are, the hardest part is already behind you.

📲 Navigating life after divorce? Check out our website or give us a call. We are here to help with the details so you can focus on the rest.

08/26/2026

It's National Make a Will month and it's so important to address these questions, especially if you have young children.🧐

What will happen to my children?
What will happen to my assets?
When will the children have access to my assets?
Will my life insurance proceeds go to my children?
Who will manage those assets for my children?

There are so many questions to ask and scenarios to consider. If you want answers, we are happy to help!

Not every person who comes to me for a divorce does so because they despise their spouse. Some clients tell me they love...
08/26/2026

Not every person who comes to me for a divorce does so because they despise their spouse. Some clients tell me they love their spouse and that’s why they’re ending the marriage.

These are the divorces that are often misunderstood by those who witness them from outside the relationship.

Counterintuitive, for sure, but there are reasons why you can love your spouse but still want a divorce.

Read the on Psychology Today. Find the link in the comments.

Mediation can sound intimidating when you’ve never been through it before. What happens? Do you have to sit across from ...
08/25/2026

Mediation can sound intimidating when you’ve never been through it before. What happens? Do you have to sit across from your spouse? Who actually makes the decisions? 😅

The good news is, once you understand how the process works, it usually feels a lot less scary.

In Washington, mediation can give you more control over the outcome of your divorce, while often saving time, money, and some of the stress that comes with going to trial.

💙 In our latest blog, we’re walking you through the process step-by-step, from choosing a mediator and preparing beforehand to what actually happens on mediation day.

👉 Read the full blog for everything you need to know before heading into mediation.

08/24/2026

When I started this firm 11 years ago, I knew I wanted to do things differently.

I wanted to build a firm that truly cared for families going through one of the hardest seasons of their lives AND create a place where our team could do meaningful work without sacrificing the rest of their lives to do it. 💙

Over the years, our vision has grown and evolved. But recently, one of our leaders gave a name to the thread that runs through everything we value: servant leadership.

Care. Integrity. Excellence. Being holistic partners. Dreaming big together. It all comes back to serving people well.

And the more I think about where we’re headed next, the more I know that will continue to be at the heart of who we are. ✨

For tech professionals, divorce rarely involves just a paycheck. Join Elise for a conversation on what happens when comp...
08/19/2026

For tech professionals, divorce rarely involves just a paycheck. Join Elise for a conversation on what happens when compensation includes RSUs, stock options, bonuses, or deferred pay, and how equity, complex income, and privacy considerations typically factor into a divorce in Washington State.

You will learn how equity compensation is generally approached, what community and separate property can mean when income is complex, and the questions worth asking before you take your next step.

Join us today: https://event.webinarjam.com/5lo49/register/kko34h2m

Address

720 3rd Avenue , #2015
Seattle, WA
98104

Opening Hours

Monday 7:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 7:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 5pm
Thursday 7:30am - 5pm
Friday 7:30am - 5pm

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