Business Details
36 Years
experience
Trusted Family Law Attorneys in Olympia, WA
Ascher & Denton has specialized in family law since 1990, dedicated to resolving legal challenges with dignity and respect. Our practice focuses on minimizing conflict while protecting clients' financial and emotional well-being through innovative approaches like the One Lawyer service, pioneered in 2004. We combine decades of experience with a commitment to transparency, offering strategic guidance for divorce, child custody, and family law matters.Our team maintains professional objectivity while prioritizing compassionate client support, ensuring long-term solutions that preserve relationships and reduce litigation costs. With a proven track record in both negotiated settlements and courtroom representation, we serve clients across Washington State from our Olympia office.
Services
Divorce Representation
Child Custody
Mediation Services
Collaborative Law
Alimony Guidance
Parenting Plans
Domestic Violence Cases
Property Division
Post-Divorce Modifications
Prenuptial Agreements
Details
- Year established: 1990
Highlights and features
- We pioneered the One Lawyer approach, saving clients 50%+ in legal fees through shared representation.
- Specializing exclusively in family law since 1990 ensures deep expertise in complex cases.
- Our mediation-focused philosophy minimizes conflict while protecting long-term relationships.
- Transparent pricing models provide cost certainty for divorce and custody proceedings.
- Attorneys maintain professional objectivity while offering compassionate, client-centered guidance.
Services
One Lawyer Approach
Our innovative One Lawyer service provides joint legal representation for both parties in family law cases. This collaborative model reduces costs by 50%+ while maintaining transparency and protecting both parties' rights through ethical, shared guidance.
Child Custody Cases
We specialize in creating child custody arrangements that prioritize children's well-being. Our attorneys help establish primary/joint custody, visitation schedules, and decision-making frameworks while promoting cooperative co-parenting relationships since 1990.
Divorce Representation
Our divorce services cover property division, alimony, and settlement negotiations with a focus on minimizing conflict. We combine courtroom experience with mediation expertise to achieve cost-effective resolutions tailored to clients' unique circumstances.
Collaborative Law
We facilitate collaborative law processes that avoid court battles through structured negotiations. This approach preserves relationships while addressing complex issues like asset division, spousal support, and parenting arrangements with professional guidance.
Mediation Services
Our mediation services help clients resolve family law disputes amicably. We provide neutral guidance for creating legally sound agreements on custody, property division, and support matters while maintaining control over outcomes.
People
Melissa Denton
Founding Partner & Senior Lawyer
Melissa Denton has practiced family law in Thurston County since 1990. She pioneered the One Lawyer approach in 2004 and continues to mentor clients through collaborative divorce solutions while writing a book about this innovative process.
James Ascher
Former Partner
James Ascher co-founded the firm in 1995 after merging his practice with Melissa Denton's. He remained a close collaborator until his passing in 2019, leaving a lasting impact on the firm's collaborative approach to family law.
Mo Alberda
Legal Assistant
Mo Alberda serves as the firm's primary client contact, combining legal expertise with exceptional organizational skills. She joined in 2022, bringing extensive experience from prior roles including corporate positions at Nike and advanced legal studies credentials.
Deborah Cushman
Bookkeeper
Deborah Cushman manages the firm's financial operations with precision, maintaining strict professionalism in handling client funds. As an independent contractor and former attorney, she ensures complete transparency in all financial matters.
Questions
What is the One Lawyer approach?
Our One Lawyer service provides shared legal representation for both parties in family law cases, reducing costs by 50%+ while maintaining transparency and preserving relationships through collaborative solutions.
Do you handle child custody cases?
Yes, we specialize in child custody and parenting plans, focusing on creating stable environments for children through mediation and legal advocacy since 1990.
Are your services available remotely?
Yes, we conduct Zoom meetings and phone consultations statewide, with secure document exchange options for clients working remotely since 2020.
What areas of family law do you cover?
We handle all family law matters including divorce, alimony, property division, domestic violence cases, and prenuptial agreements with specialized expertise since 1990.
How do you handle payment?
We offer transparent pricing models with fixed fees for many services, avoiding unpredictable hourly billing while maintaining financial flexibility for clients.
