Government Divorce Specialist
Government retirement, state benefits, real estate — Washington's 50/50 split requires expertise. This guide shows you what to protect.
Leanne Ozaine, CDFA® & CFP® | Specializing in gray divorce for 50+
Turn Panic Into Power — $97If you're over 50 and facing divorce in Olympia or Washington's capital region, custody battles aren't your concern—your children are grown, independent, or building careers (perhaps working for the state themselves). Instead, you're navigating the financial complexity of dividing state government pensions, deferred compensation, real estate, and retirement accounts accumulated over decades of public service—all under Washington's community property rules with ZERO state income tax.
This is especially challenging if you've never personally managed household finances. Perhaps your spouse handled the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) pension, deferred compensation plan, or state benefits while you focused on family and home. Now you're facing questions like:
For decades, your spouse managed the state retirement benefits — the PERS statements, the deferred compensation contributions, the DRS survivor benefit elections.
Now you're expected to understand pension division, QDROs, and the difference between PERS Plan 2 and Plan 3 — while negotiating a settlement that determines what you'll live on for the rest of your life.
The spouse who managed the state benefits has every advantage. They know the vesting schedule. They understand survivor benefit options. They know what the deferred comp is really worth.
Washington is a community property state — meaning 50/50 split of everything acquired during marriage. But "50/50" only works if you know what 100% looks like. With DRS pensions, deferred compensation, and retiree healthcare at stake, missing even one benefit can cost you tens of thousands.
You don't need to become a state benefits expert overnight. You need someone in your corner who already is one — someone who can decode DRS statements, translate pension division rules, and make sure you get your community property share of 30 years of public service.
The 5-step system that shows you what you'll actually live on, so you stop guessing and start knowing.
Calculate your real post-divorce income — including your share of state pension, deferred comp, and earning potential — so you negotiate from facts, not fear.
Document gathering checklists tell you exactly what to bring to your attorney — DRS statements, deferred comp balances, survivor benefit elections — so you walk in prepared, not panicked.
Map out your real expenses as a single person in Olympia — before you fight for something you can't actually maintain on a divided pension.
The asset identification system helps you find all DRS plans, deferred comp accounts, and retiree healthcare benefits — including ones you might not even know exist.
22-page guide + video tutorials + checklists + templates
$97
Instant access. 100% money-back guarantee.
Get the Clarity You Need — $97Olympia is the heart of Washington State government. Thousands of 50+ residents have DRS pensions from careers in state service:
Common DRS pension plans:
DRS pension division:
Many Washington state employees contribute to the state's Deferred Compensation Program (457 plan):
Washington State provides retiree healthcare to eligible employees. Divorce affects these benefits:
Olympia real estate is affordable compared to Seattle but has appreciated over decades:
Housing costs:
Community property: Homes purchased during marriage with marital funds are community property, divided 50/50.
Tax advantage: Selling to divide equity? No Washington state capital gains tax (only federal).
In Olympia, we work with clients divorcing after 20, 30, or 40+ years of state service. Here's what makes gray divorce financially complex:
If your spouse worked for Washington State for 25-35 years, the DRS pension is likely your most valuable asset:
State employees who maximized DCP contributions for 20-30 years may have $300K-$800K+ in accounts. Community property means 50/50 split.
Olympia's cost of living is moderate compared to Seattle, making retirement more affordable:
Many of our Olympia clients—particularly spouses who didn't work for the state—have never personally navigated DRS pension systems, deferred compensation plans, or state retiree benefits.
You're not alone: State government benefits are complex but learnable. We help you understand what you're entitled to and how to access it.
While our primary focus is gray divorce (50+ with grown children), some clients have high school or college-age children. Washington child support applies. However, for most 50+ clients, children are independent.
As an Olympia resident, your divorce follows Washington community property law:
Maintenance (alimony): Courts consider statutory factors; duration varies but often substantial for long marriages.
Learn more about Washington divorce laws and community property →
We provide virtual divorce financial planning services throughout Olympia and the capital region, including:
Your lawyer handles the law. Your therapist handles emotions. But who's making sure you can actually live on what you're agreeing to?
Turn Panic Into Power — $97 Schedule a Strategy Session