Experienced Counsel. Practical Guidance. Strong Advocacy.
Serving Washington Clients Since 1999
Since 1999, Scott Burkhalter has helped individuals and families throughout Washington navigate divorce, parenting disputes, child support matters, property division, and other family law challenges. Combining experienced advocacy with practical guidance, he is committed to helping clients move forward with confidence during difficult transitions.
A graduate of Chapman University School of Law and published legal scholar, Scott has appeared in state and federal courts throughout Washington and has litigated and negotiated thousands of cases.
As a father of three daughters, longtime Washington resident, community leader, and former president of Everett Golf & Country Club, Scott understands that every case involves more than legal issues—it involves people, families, and futures. Scott understands every case involves more than legal issues—it involves people, families, and futures. His practice is built on strategic preparation, practical guidance, and strong advocacy when it matters most.
Full representation is the traditional attorney-client relationship in which Burkhalter Law PLLC manages every aspect of your case from beginning to end. Attorney Scott Burkhalter serves as your advocate throughout the process, providing comprehensive legal guidance, strategic advice, and courtroom representation.
Full representation may include preparing and filing court documents, communicating with opposing counsel, conducting discovery, negotiating settlements, participating in mediation, appearing at hearings, and representing you at trial when necessary.
This option is often appropriate for clients facing complex legal issues, high-conflict disputes, significant financial concerns, or situations where they prefer experienced counsel to handle all legal matters on their behalf.
With full representation, you can focus on your family, career, and future while we focus on protecting your interests and pursuing the best possible outcome.
Full Representation: We handle the entire case.
Limited representation, sometimes referred to as "unbundled legal services," allows you to hire Burkhalter Law for specific aspects of your case while handling other portions on your own. This flexible approach enables clients to receive professional legal assistance where it is needed most without retaining an attorney for the entire case.
Limited representation services may include drafting court documents, reviewing agreements, providing legal advice, preparing for hearings, assisting with mediation, developing case strategy, and other targeted legal services.
This option is often appropriate for individuals who are comfortable managing certain aspects of their case but want experienced legal guidance at critical stages. Limited representation can provide a cost-effective solution by tailoring legal services to your specific needs, goals, and budget.
You remain in control of your case while benefiting from professional legal support when and where it matters most.
Limited Representation: We help with specific tasks while you remain in control.
Divorce and legal separation can involve some of the most important decisions affecting your future, your finances, and your family. Burkhalter Law provides experienced legal guidance and advocacy to help clients navigate these transitions with clarity, confidence, and a focus on practical solutions.
Whether your matter involves property division, spousal maintenance, parenting plans, child support, or other family law issues, we work to protect your rights and advance your interests at every stage of the process. From initial consultation through negotiation, mediation, settlement, or trial, we provide strategic advice tailored to your unique circumstances and goals.
Our objective is to help you move forward with stability, informed decision-making, and a clear path toward resolution while minimizing unnecessary conflict whenever possible.
From simple asset division to complex cases involving businesses, investments, real estate, and retirement accounts, Burkhalter Law has the experience and resources to guide clients through the property division process. Our goal is to help ensure that assets and liabilities are identified, valued, and divided fairly while protecting your financial future and long-term interests.
When children are involved, every decision matters. Burkhalter Law helps parents navigate parenting plan and child custody disputes with compassion, experience, and a focus on the future. We strive to create solutions that protect parent-child relationships, reduce conflict, and promote healthy outcomes for children and families alike.
Spousal maintenance can be one of the most important financial issues in a divorce or legal separation. Burkhalter Law helps clients navigate maintenance disputes with experienced guidance, strategic advocacy, and practical solutions. Whether you are seeking support or defending against an unreasonable request, we work to achieve a fair result that protects your financial future and helps you move forward with confidence.
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are not about expecting a marriage to fail—they are about creating clarity and protection for the future. Burkhalter Law helps clients develop customized agreements that safeguard businesses, investments, inheritances, and other important assets while establishing clear financial expectations between spouses.
Our goal is to provide certainty, reduce the potential for future conflict, and help clients move forward with confidence knowing their interests are protected.
At a minimum, fairness, reasonableness and full disclosure is required to protect the legal integrity of the agreement.
Domestic violence allegations and protection order proceedings can have a profound impact on your family, your future, and your peace of mind. Scott provides experienced representation to clients seeking protection and to those responding to allegations, ensuring that every client receives informed guidance, fair treatment, and strong advocacy.
We help clients understand their options, navigate the legal process, and make informed decisions during difficult and often urgent situations.
Domestic Violence Matters
Allegations of domestic violence can have immediate and significant consequences for individuals and families. Burkhalter Law provides experienced legal guidance and representation in matters involving domestic violence protection orders and related family law proceedings
Not every family law dispute requires a trial. Mediation, arbitration, and negotiated settlement often provide effective alternatives that allow parties to resolve conflicts with greater privacy, flexibility, and control over the outcome.
Burkhalter Law has extensive experience helping clients resolve family law matters through alternative dispute resolution. We use skilled negotiation, strategic analysis, and practical problem-solving to help clients reach fair and lasting agreements involving parenting plans, property division, spousal maintenance, and other family law issues.
Our goal is to reduce conflict, control costs, and achieve efficient resolutions whenever possible. When settlement is achievable, we help clients move forward with confidence. When it is not, we are fully prepared to advocate for our clients through litigation.
"The best resolution is not always the one that wins the argument—it is the one that helps you move forward."
Not every case can be resolved through agreement. When litigation becomes necessary, Burkhalter Law provides experienced, strategic, and determined representation at every stage of the process.
Attorney Scott Burkhalter has litigated matters throughout Washington State, including appearances in Superior Courts across the state, the Washington Court of Appeals, and Federal District Court. With decades of courtroom experience, he understands how to build persuasive cases, navigate complex procedural rules, and advocate effectively before judges.
From emergency motions and temporary orders to trial and appeal, we are prepared to aggressively protect our clients' rights while pursuing practical solutions whenever possible.
Estate planning is about more than documents—it is about providing guidance, security, and peace of mind for the people who matter most. Burkhalter Law assists clients with wills, powers of attorney, health care directives, and community property agreements designed to protect their wishes and simplify important decisions for loved ones.
By planning ahead today, you can help ensure that your family is protected and your voice is heard when it matters most.
Not every legal dispute involves family law. Burkhalter Law also provides legal guidance in selected civil litigation and contract matters. Attorney Scott Burkhalter has represented banks in federal court, business owners, property owners, and construction-related entities in a wide range of contested legal matters.
Drawing on decades of litigation experience, we assist clients with contract review, dispute analysis, negotiation, and strategic representation designed to protect their interests and achieve practical results. Whether addressing a business disagreement, property dispute, or contractual issue, we provide clear advice and effective advocacy tailored to each client's goals.
Scott stays current in the law, rules and legal process. He has been representing clients in divorce and family law cases for over 25 years, and he has the experience and knowledge to help you navigate the process.
Scott understands family law cases can be emotional and stressful. He, and his staff, will provide compassionate support and guidance throughout the process.
Scott's top priority is advocating for your best interests. He will work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome for you with integrity and protecting what matters most..
Scott Burkhalter has represented individuals, families, and businesses throughout Washington State for more than 25 years. A graduate of Chapman University School of Law,, Scott served as Executive Editor of both the Chapman Law Review and Nexus: A Journal of Opinion. He is also a published legal author, having written "Oversimplification: Value and Function: Wetland Mitigation Banking".
Throughout his career, Scott has litigated matters in numerous Washington state courts, the Washington Court of Appeals, and the United States District Court. He has also served in leadership roles within the community, including service with the Snohomish County Bar Association and as President of Everett Golf & Country Club.
Prior to law school, Scott attended Pacific Lutheran University, where he studied Legal Studies and Religion and earned a minor in Business. While at PLU, he played football under legendary coach Frosty Westering, an experience that reinforced the values of preparation, discipline, and teamwork that continue to guide his legal practice today.
A longtime Washington resident, Scott raised his three daughters in the Pacific Northwest and remains actively involved in the community he serves. Clients value his practical guidance, strategic preparation, and strong advocacy as they navigate some of life's most challenging transitions.
BURKHALTER LAW PLLC
