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Helping Both Sides Work Together

​Ascher & Denton is a different kind of law firm.

 

Building on over thirty years of ethical, caring family law practice, we now focus exclusively on One Lawyer, a process that Melissa Denton created in 2004 and has continually improved since then. Melissa works with both parties in divorces to reach the best possible solutions and build better futures for them and the people they love.

                                                                                      We look forward to helping you.

                                                                                      Call us at 360-357-8669

Not everyone is a fit for our services. And we truly mean it. One Lawyer only works when both of you show up with genuine honesty, creating the conditions for real transparency. We operate on trust, supported by the documentation you voluntarily provide, so we can do the essential work to build the best possible future for each of you.

 

Also, both of you must follow what we call "The Judge Rule." Every communication to or from Ascher & Denton about your case must be shared with the other party at the same time. No secrets. No separate conversations. No exceptions. (If something slips through, we’ll fix it right away.)

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If you meet these requirements, Melissa can guide both of you through your divorce. The cost is significantly lower, the timeline is shorter, and anxiety goes down. The stress that comes from not knowing what the other side's attorney is doing behind closed doors doesn't exist here because all communication with the lawyer is shared in real time. 

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For families with children, that absence of conflict has its own profound value. The damage children absorb from parents fighting over them is devastating — similar to the pain when a parent has died. Yes, One Lawyer protects your finances and your privacy. It also protects children.

Working Together is Better

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"Melissa did great helping us working together on our divorce case." Cindy

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"Melissa intervened with amazing promptness, knowledge, wisdom and compassion to help all parties see what was best for the child, and each other. She has counseling skills so you're getting double service from one person." Diane Donalies

Meet Melissa Denton

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Melissa created the One Lawyer methodology in 2004, not as a business strategy but because fourteen years of adversarial practice had proven that traditional litigation, mediation, and collaborative law should not be the only options. They all cost more and frequently hurt people at a vulnerable time, whereas One Lawyer is significantly less expensive, reduces agony, and protects privacy. Melissa has continuously refined this process ever since and is currently writing a book about it for you and for the experienced attorneys who will enjoy offering these services.

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Melissa will tell you the truth even when it isn't what you hoped to hear. And she will treat your spouse with the same respect she extends to you. That's because the One Lawyer process requires it, and because, in the long run, you wouldn't have it any other way.

 

Melissa Denton has practiced family law in Washington State since 1990. She has handled cases at every level, including a landmark case that reached the Washington Supreme Court. That depth of experience matters in One Lawyer work because she brings the full weight of her legal knowledge to both parties simultaneously, ensuring no one in the room is left uninformed.

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