I've practiced family law in Thurston County since 1990 and absolutely love doing it. My favorite part of this work is creatively and compassionately helping clients find a way through divorce or child custody/support issues with the least emotional and financial damage. Much of my practice is aimed at people who really don't want to destroy the other side or themselves. We work together to resolve the legal issues so you can get back to the better parts of your life with a healthy structure from whatever family law issue you have had to encounter.
My law firm is not all about me. I have absolutely fabulous people working with me and they help provide excellent service to everyone who contacts us.
Also see AscherDenton.com or call us at 360-357-8669 to learn about our services.
Practice areas
This is a big part of family law. We strive to be really careful not to hurt people or waste their money at such a difficult time. It is so important to know what the law says because it reduces arguments and confusion.
32 years
I have practiced almost exclusively family law since 1990. All your money, your closest relationships and your future are at stake. Getting very good advice is surely a good investment.
32 years
The majority of our cases start, or at least end, with working out agreements that folks feel they can live with. It takes expertise, but we really enjoy helping people through this challenging time in their lives.
32 years
It is very important to keep the best interests of children at the very front of this kind of law. Fighting over kids hurts them. I try hard to help parents and kids avoid that.
32 years
Child support is an art, not a science. We use highly sophisticated software to calculate support and strive to be honest and fair in settling this issue.
32 years
Nothing is harder to deal with than issues involving the abuse (or accusations of abuse) of children. We have a lot of experience finding solutions that keep kids safe while respecting both parents as much as possible.
32 years
Spousal support/Alimony/Spousal Maintenance is a complex part of some divorces. It has to be weighed with a lot of other issues and what makes sense in this particular family. We strive to work out solutions that make a good future for both sides.
32 years
DV, as it is called, is a very difficult issue for both sides. It has long range consequences for both sides and we are very careful to help our client find and get the best solution and result that keeps safety first and common sense not ignored.
32 years
Most adoptions that we work with involve a person who is now acting as a parent becoming a legal parent when the biological parent is not really involved anymore. Cases may start as contested, but often resolve with agreed orders for the child's sake
32 years
It is a really smart idea to find out and be open and honest about the financial parts of marriage before the wedding. Getting that advice is great, but it is often not a good idea to get a prenup because the laws are fair already.
32 years
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
WA | Active | 1989 | 05/07/2022 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Best Startup | Startup Weekend | 2010 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
CEO | Advantage Denton | 2008 - Present |
Partner | Ascher & Denton, PLLC | 1991 - Present |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
The Olympia Free Clinic | General Legal Counsel | 2011 - Present |
Thurston County Bar Association | Member | 1990 - Present |
Washington State Bar Association | Member | 1989 - Present |
Troy Fisher Legal Defense Team | Volunteer Legal Publicist | 2012 - 2013 |
Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation | Board Member, VP, President | 2004 - 2008 |
Sound Collaboration | member | 2004 - 2009 |
City of Tumwater Planning Commission | Board Member | 1996 - 1999 |
Washington State Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division Board | Board Member | 1993 - 1995 |
Thurston County Young Lawyers Association | President | 1992 - 1994 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
AdvantageDenton.com | Many Cost Effective Ways to Use Lawyers | 2008 |
AscherDenton.com | Our Philosophy | 2003 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Oklahoma College of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1988 |
University of Puget Sound School of Law | 1 year of Juris Doctorate Training | 1988 |
University of Oklahoma | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1984 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Snohomish County Bar Association, Family Law Section | One Lawyer - where one attorney helps both parties with advice to settle | 2010 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
In re Marriage of Rideout, 150 Wn.2d 337, 352-53, 77 P.3d 1174 (2003) | WA Supreme Court ruling on Contempt in Parenting |
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Ingrid Malca, Family Attorney on Feb 27, 2017
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
I endorse this lawyer. Melissa works extremely hard to make a difference in her client's lives. She has practiced as a Family Law attorney for over 20 years. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience. She is compassionate, focus, and determined to get the best results. Although she has the smarts and the experience of a giant, she has always been very professional and courteous towards her clients. I am lucky to have her as a mentor.
Christian Lassen, Unknown Attorney on Apr 24, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community.
Ingrid Malca, Family Attorney on Feb 27, 2017
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
I endorse this lawyer. Melissa works extremely hard to make a difference in her client's lives. She has practiced as a Family Law attorney for over 20 years. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience. She is compassionate, focus, and determined to get the best results. Although she has the smarts and the experience of a giant, she has always been very professional and courteous towards her clients. I am lucky to have her as a mentor.
Christian Lassen, Unknown Attorney on Apr 24, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community.
TJ Martin, Family Attorney on Jan 23, 2013
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
Melissa's knowledge and expertise in the area of family law is second to none. She works hard to achieve the best possible outcomes for her clients and helps them to safely navigate through the often, intimidating maze of family law. She is a compassionate, caring person and passionate advocate on behalf of her clients. I endorse this lawyer.
Lisa Seifert, Family Attorney on Dec 11, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Melissa Denton for many years -- I frequently refer family law related cases to her because I know she does well for her clients in this area. It takes a special person to be good at family law.
Joshua Foreman, Family Attorney on Apr 30, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
It is a pleasure to endorse Melissa Denton, who is one of the smartest family law attorneys in Washington State. Her firm is in Olympia and she practices in Thurston, Mason, and Lewis counties. In addition to over 20 years of experience at the trial court level, she represented the Appellant in the important Marriage of Rideout case at the Court of Appeals. Melissa is a leader in dragging lawyers into the 21st century; she offers unbundled legal services (meaning you do some of the work and so save some money), flat fees (no "sticker shock" when you get your bill), and she's the Denton of Advantage Denton (a company that will help you find the right lawyer for you). There's a reason why people say "you need a smart lawyer," and Melissa Denton is a very smart lawyer!
James Ascher, General practice Attorney on Jul 23, 2008
Relationship: Co-worker
I thoroughly endorse this lawyer's work. I have been a partner to Melissa for over 15 years, and although I am now in a semi-retired status with our firm (Ascher & Denton, PLLC) I continue to take cases on an Of Counsel basis. Melissa and I continue to consult with each other on our respective cases on a virtually daily basis. I have dealt with many Washington lawyers in my career, and I consider her among a select number who combine very high levels of integrity, competence and compassion. Otherwise, of course, I would not have chosen to ally myself with her in our legal partnership!