Melissa Marie Denton

Melissa Marie Denton

4.8
Rating: 8.4

Licensed for 36 years

Family Lawyer at Olympia, WA
Practice Areas: Family, Divorce & Separation, Uncontested Divorce ... +7 more

2401 Bristol Ct. SW # A-101, Olympia, WA

About Melissa

Biography

Practice Areas

10

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 20%

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.

36 years

20%
Family 20%

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.

36 years

20%
Uncontested Divorce 19%

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.

36 years

19%
Child Custody 10%

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.

36 years

10%
Child Support 10%

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.

36 years

10%
Child Abuse 8%

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.

36 years

8%
Alimony 5%

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.

36 years

5%
Domestic Violence 5%

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.

36 years

5%
Adoption 2%

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

36 years

2%
Marriage and Prenuptials 1%

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.

36 years

1%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Washington for 36 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 1989

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Ascher & Denton, PLLC

2401 Bristol Ct. SW # A-101, Olympia, WA, 98502

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Melissa Marie Denton's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

14 Client Reviews

5 star (13)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (1)
1 star (0)

Posted by anonymous | June 9, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Would not hire again

I wish I'd never hired her. In completely over her head. Dropped the ball on court appearances on more than one occasion and remembered to show up at the last minute unprepared. Wrote much of my own court documents for her to then go back and tweak and then tell me how brilliant she was for changing ...a few words. Very stuck on her own brilliance and superb skill which was average at best. Had I know that farce it was going to be I would have never hired her in the first place.

Posted by Monika | May 17, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Honestly the best person to have taken my case

Ms. Denton is an absolute gem of an attorney. From my initial consultation to the finalization of my divorce, she helped me through each and every step. This was the most difficult time in my enitre life and she made me feel supported and understood throughout the entire process. I felt she had my ...best interests at heart from the very beginning and she is knowledgable about what my rights as a parent and spouse. I could not have picked a better person to help me and I will forever be grateful for how my divorce/child custody/etc agreement ended up. She maintained integrity and commitment to my every need. Although this was a professional/business relationship, I feel like I could call her a true friend.

Posted by anonymous | September 5, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

You will NEVER regret calling Melissa Denton at Ascher & Denton Family Law!

I highly recommend Melissa Denton at Ascher & Denton Family Law. While I reflect on the last year, with the changes, challenges, and court battles, I hope that Melissa Denton knows the monumental impact she and her staff made on my family’s lives. Our current reality would look very different right n...ow without her support and guidance. I cannot say enough how grateful I am for her and her team, who were all professional, knowledgeable, responsive, and best of all, personable. They have worked tirelessly with me to fight for the best interests of my family! If you are unsure who to call for matters of family law, call Ascher & Denton; you will not regret it!

Posted by Cassandra | January 12, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

The exact attorney I needed every time!

Melissa has been an incredible attorney to have over the past 5 years. She has helped me win my case every time. Her and her office have always been responsive and courteous to my needs and concerns. I highly recommend Melissa for getting things taken care of correctly the first time!

Posted by Amy | February 28, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Absolutely wonderful DV attorney

There is not enough I can say for all Melissa has done for me and my children. I hired Melissa after having 2 other local attorneys. I won’t mention their names, however I don’t feel with them they always had the best intentions of my children involved. From the start with my consultation, Melissa... always had not only my protection legally /finamcially at the top, but the protection of my children first and foremost. It had taken me three years and two attorneys before Melissa came and finished my case with the amount of money she told me she would. She actually finished my three year long case in just 6 months. If you are from an abusive relationship and are wondering where to go next and who could help you finish a long horrible process, I would definitely consult Melissa to help you. I do believe she is an angel for me and my kids...there just aren’t any more words or better way to put it. Thank you Melissa Amy and the M&Ms

See All Client Reviews

Melissa Marie Denton's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Melissa
Ingrid R Zerpa Malca headshot
Ingrid Malca

Family lawyer | Feb 27

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 K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Unknown lawyer | Apr 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

TJ Martin headshot
TJ Martin

Family lawyer | Jan 23

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 Ellen Seifert headshot
Lisa Seifert

Family lawyer | Dec 11

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 Nihan Foreman headshot
Joshua Foreman

Family lawyer | Apr 30

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 Martin Ascher headshot
James Ascher

General practice lawyer | Jul 23

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!"

View All Endorsements
Ingrid R Zerpa Malca headshot
Ingrid Malca

Family lawyer

TJ Martin headshot
TJ Martin

Family lawyer

Joshua Nihan Foreman headshot
Joshua Foreman

Divorce and separation lawyer

Lisa Ellen Seifert headshot
Lisa Seifert

Immigration lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.4 (Excellent)

Honors

2010

Best Startup, Startup Weekend

Work Experience

1991 - Present

Partner, Ascher & Denton, PLLC

Associations

2011 - Present

The Olympia Free Clinic

General Legal Counsel

1990 - Present

Thurston County Bar Association

Member

1989 - Present

Washington State Bar Association

Member

2012 - 2013

Troy Fisher Legal Defense Team

Volunteer Legal Publicist

2004 - 2008

Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation

Board Member, VP, President

2004 - 2009

Sound Collaboration

member

1996 - 1999

City of Tumwater Planning Commission

Board Member

1993 - 1995

Washington State Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division Board

Board Member

1992 - 1994

Thurston County Young Lawyers Association

President

Sample of Legal Cases

In re Marriage of Rideout, 150 Wn.2d 337, 352-53, 77 P.3d 1174 (2003)

WA Supreme Court ruling on Contempt in Parenting

See More Legal Cases

Education

1988

University of Oklahoma College of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1988

University of Puget Sound School of Law

1 year of Juris Doctorate Training

1984

University of Oklahoma

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2010

Snohomish County Bar Association, Family Law Section

One Lawyer - where one attorney helps both parties with advice to settle

Publications

2008

2003

AscherDenton.com Our Philosophy

Languages

English

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
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • 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.
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