Araceli Amaya

Araceli Amaya

also known as Amaya Family Law

4.9
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 23 years

Family Lawyer at Bellevue, WA
Practice Areas: Family

9 Lake Bellevue Dr, Suite 210, Bellevue, WA

About Araceli

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Family 100%

I help clients with all issues related to a divorce, separation, post-divorce/separation issues, child custody, child support, spousal support and domestic violence.

23 years

100%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Washington for 22 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 2003

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in California for 23 years

State: California

Acquired: 2002

Inactive

No misconduct found

Location

Amaya Family Law

9 Lake Bellevue Dr, Suite 210, Bellevue, WA, 98005

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Araceli Amaya's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

49 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (49) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 15 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge

Posted by anonymous | March 05, 2026 | Hired Attorney

Highly Recommend Araceli Amaya and team for All Family Law Needs.

Araceli and her team are top notch. They have the skills and wherewithal to handle everything from the smallest family law needs to largest of high conflict family issues and divorce settlements. They do so with great skill in family law expertise, and also in a manner that is considerate and thought...ful and helps one to get through these difficult situations, with great consideration and skill in handling abuse from the opposing party extended into the family law litigation arena. I highly recommend Araceli and her team!

Posted by Martha | May 06, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Child Support

Highly recommend Araceli and Amaya Family Law

Araceli and her team help expertly navigate a situation to establish paternity, set up a temporary and final parenting plan, and establish child support. Araceli's calm, clear, professional, and warm presence gave us much confidence and peace of mind through all the steps, including navigating diffic...ult and stressful things with the other party. Her team is top-notch in legal and process advice, communication, and document preparation and filing. She advised on ways to help navigate the situation cooperatively with the other party. She also encouraged our thinking, collaboration, and drafting of a plan to meet our needs and those of the other party. Highly recommend Amaya Family Law.

Posted by B | April 01, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Child Support

Child Support Revision - A wonderful partner in the process

Araceli was dynamite to work with. Throughout the monthslong process of revising child support payments she was careful to note each nuanced detail, explain anything I needed, and played the role of the expert partner in navigating the entire process, shifting the burdens of the legwork as the situat...ion evolved to allow me exactly the amount of 'driving' the process as I needed.

Posted by anonymous | January 05, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Best attorney!!

Araceli helped me with my divorce, which took over a year. Araceli remembered every single details about my divorce/marriage (and my kid's name) to get most out of the divorce case. She is very professional (but also personal) and I really enjoyed working with Araceli. I would totally recommend her i...f someone is seeking attorney!

Posted by Kelly | September 27, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Very Talented and Empathetic Attorney

Araceli represented me during a divorce that we ultimately decided to reconcile. Araceli and her team are very talented and were also empathetic during a hard time in my life. Her approach to quickly resolve issues with opposing counsel is an excellent approach.

See All Client Reviews

Araceli Amaya's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Araceli
Matthew Nawrocki headshot
Matthew Nawrocki

Family lawyer | Nov 23

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I have worked with Araceli and she is a very capable and respectful advocate for her clients. Because of her advocacy, we were able to come to a resolution that benefited both parties. I endorse this lawyer."

Ty Ho headshot
Ty Ho

Family lawyer | Feb 12

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Araceli is intelligent, compassionate, attentive, and responsive."

Vicki L Oslund headshot
Vicki Oslund

Family lawyer | Oct 29

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer. Great family law attorney and good Snohomish County experience as well."

Julie Harris Seidenstein headshot
Julie Seidenstein

Family lawyer | Mar 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Araceli is the consummate professional; she deeply cares for her clients and fights for their interests. As a fellow attorney in Seattle, I would have no hesitation referring clients to Araceli for legal services."

Holly Hermon headshot
Holly Hermon

Family lawyer | Jul 01

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I highly endorse this lawyer. She is an amazing communicator and advocate for her clients. Araceli is truly the cream of the crop in high-stakes family law. Her experience and strategic approach leads her to achieve the absolute best results for each her clients."

Frank S Hong headshot
Frank Hong

Family lawyer | Jun 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Araceli exemplifies professionalism as a lawyer and as a person. She is an excellent advocate with great communication and analytical skills. Her reputation in the legal community is that of a lawyer who can handle her own in any situation and, most important, is an excellent listener, negotiator and trial attorney."

Tracy Lee Reid headshot
Tracy Reid

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jun 17

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Araceli is a strong advocate for her clients, while understanding the economic bottom line. have seen her diligently represent a client with very little economic resources and obtain a great result."

Lisa Hoang Do headshot
Lisa Do

Family lawyer | Jun 04

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer. Araceli is an impressive attorney with not only excellent courtroom skills, but compassion and understanding for her clients. Working with her, I have seen first-hand the sound advice she gives client and her extensive knowledge of family law. Further, she truly cares about her client and reaching resolution in their best interests, whether that be by agreement or litigation in court. She is also cost effective and one of her utmost concerns is that attorney's fees incurred are necessary and reasonable."

Rachel Min Luke headshot
Rachel Luke

Divorce and separation lawyer | Feb 06

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Ms. Amaya and her staff were a pleasure to work with. Due to her professionalism and knowledge, we were able to reach an equitable settlement saving both clients both time and money. I endorse this lawyer."

Heather Colleen Ramirez headshot
Heather Ramirez

Family lawyer | Dec 09

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I recently opposed Ms. Amaya in a family law matter. After hours of mediation, we successfully reached a settlement agreement. I was particularly impressed by the way Ms. Amaya pragmatically approached settlement negotiations, yet strongly advocated for her client."

Cristina B Mehling headshot
Cristina Mehling

Divorce and separation lawyer | Apr 18

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I worked with Araceli on opposing sides and she is a great advocate for her clients and very competent and knowledgeable, as well as professional."

Jonathan Blake Hilty headshot
Jonathan Hilty

Family lawyer | Apr 17

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Araceli is a strong advocate for her clients, and she is well respected in the area of family law."

Jillian Kathleen Pressnall headshot
Jillian Pressnall

Family lawyer | Apr 15

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Araceli and I worked together on a highly contentious post-dissolution matter. Her extensive experience and knowledge of the law was evident. She advocated zealously for her client while maintaining a professional demeanor. I endorse her."

Kim Laree Schnuelle headshot
Kim Schnuelle

Divorce and separation lawyer | Apr 15

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Araceli is an excellent litigator and formidable opposing counsel. I highly endorse this lawyer."

Monica Chin headshot
Monica Chin

Divorce and separation lawyer | Feb 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Karin Quirk headshot
Karin Quirk

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jul 13

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer's work and I refer to her when I am unable to take a case. She is highly compentent, a strong advocate for her client's position yet always willing to negotiate in a professional manner."

View All Endorsements
Ty Ho headshot
Ty Ho

Family lawyer

Krista Ellen Stipe headshot
Krista Stipe

Divorce and separation lawyer

Elizabeth Alden Michelson headshot
Elizabeth Michelson

Divorce and separation lawyer

Laura A Sell headshot
Laura Sell

Family lawyer

Shaun Van Eyk headshot
Shaun Van Eyk

Family lawyer

Frank S Hong headshot
Frank Hong

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Tracy Lee Reid headshot
Tracy Reid

Family lawyer

Holly Hermon headshot
Holly Hermon

Family lawyer

Lisa Hoang Do headshot
Lisa Do

Family lawyer

Craig Jonathan Hansen headshot
Craig Hansen

Litigation lawyer

Norma Linda Ureña headshot
Norma Ureña

Family lawyer

Sarah Nikol Lowell headshot
Sarah Lowell

Family lawyer

Rachel Min Luke headshot
Rachel Luke

Family lawyer

Heather Colleen Ramirez headshot
Heather Ramirez

Family lawyer

Jonathan Blake Hilty headshot
Jonathan Hilty

Divorce and separation lawyer

Cristina B Mehling headshot
Cristina Mehling

Divorce and separation lawyer

Kim Laree Schnuelle headshot
Kim Schnuelle

Family lawyer

Karin Quirk headshot
Karin Quirk

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2020

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine

2018

Client's Choice Award, Avvo

2017

Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine

2016

Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine

2015

Client's Choice Award, Avvo

2012

Client's Choice Award, Avvo

Work Experience

2019 - Present

Senior Attorney, Amaya Family Law

2015 - 2019

Senior Attorney, Mckinley Irvin

2011 - 2015

Senior Attorney, O'Brian & Associates

2006 - 2011

Owner, Law Office of Araceli Amaya

2003 - 2006

Associate Attorney, Law Offices of Barbara E. Varon

Associations

2015 - Present

Mother Attorneys Mentoring Association of Seattle

Member

2003 - Present

King County Bar Association, Family Law Section

Member

2003 - Present

Washington State Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division

Member

2003 - Present

Latina/o Bar Association of Washington

Member

2002 - Present

Washington State Bar Association, Family Law Section

Member

2002 - 2015

State Bar of California

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

In re Custody of A.V.X.M and T.M.X 176 Wash.App. 1037

The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial Court's decision to grant third party custody to Jerri Martin. Substantial evidence supports the trial court's conclusion that residential time with Xaykosy was not in the children's best interest.

See More Legal Cases

Education

2002

American University, Washington College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1999

University of Redlands

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2015

Publications

Languages

Spanish

Activity

Avvo Rating

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What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
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  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution