When Bainbridge Island voters recently named Laura Gano Best Lawyer for 2025, the moment felt less like a personal milestone and more like a shared one.

“I’m truly thankful,” Gano says. “This work means being invited into people’s lives at some of their most stressful, emotionally charged moments. To have that trust – and to be recognized by our community – is incredibly meaningful.”

Gano practices exclusively in family law with Lutz & Associates, P.S., a firm that has focused solely on family law and has represented Washington state residents since 1997.

While no two cases are ever the same, Gano says a familiar set of questions tends to surface more often than not.

“Every case is unique, but most people come in carrying the same core concerns when they’re facing divorce or sorting out parenting plans after separation,” Gano says. “They want to know how assets will be divided, whether parenting arrangements will be fair and, quite often, what will happen with a much-loved family pet.”

Lawyer Laura Gano thanks the community for its ongoing support and looks forward to expanding Lutz & Associates’ Bainbridge Island practice.

Q) Is Washington a 50/50 divorce state?

A) Washington is a community property state, meaning assets acquired during a marriage are generally considered shared. But courts are not required to divide everything evenly.

Instead, judges are guided by what is fair and equitable, considering factors such as the length of the marriage, the nature of the assets and each person’s financial circumstances.

“There’s flexibility built into the law,” Gano says. “Once people understand that, it often eases some of their anxiety.”

Q) Does Washington favor mothers over fathers in parenting plans?

A) This concern comes up frequently, particularly for parents worried about losing meaningful time with their children.

Washington law does not favor one parent over another based on gender. Courts focus on stability and continuity for children, aiming to minimize disruption during separation.

“When outcomes feel uneven, it’s usually because the court is preserving routines that are already working for the kids,” Gano explains.

Q) How are pets handled in a separation?

A) Under Washington law, pets are treated as property. If a pet belonged to one person before marriage, it typically remains with that person. If the pet was acquired during the marriage, a court may award the pet to one party as part of the overall property division.

There is no legal framework for shared pet custody or enforceable visitation.

“It’s often the hardest answer to hear,” Gano says. “People love their pets deeply, even though the law views them differently.”

Looking ahead, Gano is focused on expanding Lutz Law’s Bainbridge Island practice, with plans to grow the local team in 2026.

“This community has supported us in so many ways,” she says. “I’m grateful for that trust and excited to keep building something lasting here.”

Learn more at lutzlaw.com/bainbridge-island-family-law-office and follow

them on Facebook @lutzlaw. Contact Laura directly at 206-627-0676 or by email at laura.gano@lutzlaw.com.