What should I do? What can I expect? What are my rights? These are normal questions when starting down the path of divorce. And, it is normal to look in all kinds of places.
Family, friends, and acquaintances will likely happily give you advice and regale you with stories of their own divorce, the divorces of others or even those of celebrities. They will probably mean well, although their information may not be particularly correct or helpful for your divorce. That is because every divorce truly is unique, and divorce has financial, emotional, legal, and child components.
In Washington, there tend to be few "legal" answers that are hard and fast. Most of what can be answered about the divorce process comes in the form of legal procedures. However, the answers really come out of a process of negotiation. If a divorce goes to trial, the judge will make a decision that will be largely a matter of his or her discretion. In other words, there are no formulas. And, there is no substitute for looking closely at your situation in divorce and then working towards a solution that is consistent with what is important.
It can be helpful to train the people who offer you support to do just that, and not provide advice that can easily lead to confusion or worse. Go to the professionals (your lawyer, accountant, divorce coach, etc.) for advice. Your friends and family can better speak to your emotional needs.