Seeking Legal Advice On Divorce, Custody, And Housing Rights In Seattle

Location: Seattle, Washington

I am currently going through a divorce in Seattle, Washington, and I need advice on my legal rights regarding custody, housing, and financial support.

My husband and I have been married for 8 years and have a child together. He bought our house before our marriage, but I have lived here for the entire 8 years. Our house has been renovated a few times. He is now asking me to move out and wants 50/50 custody. He won’t pay alimony and he wants to handle the divorce without lawyers.

I am concerned about my rights, especially since I know that moving out could negatively impact my position. However, I cannot afford expensive legal fees, as the attorneys I have contacted charge between $325 and $600 per hour just for consultation. Free legal services have not responded after a month.

Background info:

I’m an immigrant, and English is not my first language. I moved to the US because of my husband, leaving behind a well-paying career and my family. While my English is decent, finding a good job here has been difficult. I don’t have a degree from the US, and my major and career in my hometown were more language-related, which doesn’t have much relevance in the US job market. I started a full- time low-paying entry-level job last year but it is not enough to support myself, especially in Seattle. My goal is to transition to a better job in January 2026, but for now, I need more experience.

I had hoped my husband would wait until I could financially support myself in January 2026 before getting divorced, but he refuses to wait.

My husband owns 3 houses in Seattle, along with substantial financial assets. I have been financially supporting the family by giving my husband my entire salary every month, and he has also benefited from my company’s perks, such as health insurance and unlimited free and 90% off international/domestic flight tickets for leisure travel. I have saved all the transaction records.

Additional info:

• My husband cheated right after we got married, and I forgave him. Later, he cheated again while I was pregnant but assured me he would change. I have proof of this if it would be helpful.
• While he can be a good father, when he is angry, he swears and has called our child offensive names. He would also tell our child to "shut up," which I find those wording unacceptable.
• He has accidentally hurt my child a few times, resulting in bruises on the body and around one of the eyes.

I would greatly appreciate any guidance on:

1. My legal rights regarding staying in our home
2. Custody and financial support options
3. Affordable or free legal resources
4. Any other advice on navigating this situation
5. If I end up hiring a lawyer, do I have to attend court hearings? I may not be able to take many days off for this.
6. Is it a good idea to have the lawyer mediator? If so, do I settle outside of court with the lawyer mediator?
7. If I end up hiring a lawyer, how much should I expect to pay in total?
8. If I pay $325 to $600 per hour for a consultation with a lawyer, what questions should I ask to ensure I don’t waste my time?
9. My husband has no idea that I am considering hiring a lawyer, as he doesn’t want one involved. What should I say to him now to avoid making him angry when he asks me to move out?
10. My husband is a good father 85% of the time, and my child loves him a lot, so I think 50/50 custody is fine with me. I just don’t know how this will work in practice.

Any guidance or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!