File for Divorce in Washington

Condition for Residency

It is mandatory for either of spouses to be resident of Washington or member of forces stationed here before filing divorce case. Divorce papers can be submitted into either of counties where both spouses live. There is a waiting period of 90 days in Washington.

Reasons for the Divorces

Divorces in Washington are given only if the courts feel that some irretrievable breakdown has occurred in the relationship. For this reason, it only accepts the valid reasons in divorce cases. Both the spouses are required to agree with the reasons and both have to validate them later on throughout the proceedings of the case.

Principle of Child Custody

Washington prefers to give the joint custody of the child for his or her best nurture. However, if the custody of a minor child is involved, then both the parents are required to submit a parenting plan which may include following:

Following factors help in finding the decision making authority of the child:

Following factors help in finalizing the residential provisions for child:

Rules for Property Distribution

Washington is known as community property state where separate property of spouses, their gifts, and inheritances are not brought into the process of division. All marriage property is hence divided in this regard. Following determinants help in this decision:

Rules for Spousal Support

Either of spouses may be ordered by state to pay for the alimony to other support on the basis of following factors:

These maintenance payments are made by the clerk of the court.

Child Support Guidelines

Courts in Washington have the rights to order either of the parents or both to pay for the child support. No reason for the divorce is taken into account in this regard. There has been formulated a worksheet for the estimation of the child support amount. This can be accessed by the courts and parents are required to pay the amount which is decided unless it is unfair. If the amount seems to be unjust for either of parents, then it can be reassessed to get a reasonable one. Moreover, court can also demand for the wage assignments for the surety of child support payment.

Mediation In Case Of Divorce

Either upon the request of any of two spouses or the court on its own may suggest the mediation for the spouses. If there arises any issue of child custody, then court may ask for the counseling of the parents which can be mandatory as well. Report from the counseling service can also be crucial for decisions.

Filing Pro Se Divorce

There is no need of a lawyer when applying for divorce in the state of Washington. A divorce case which is filed without any help of an attorney in any of the states is known as Pro Se Divorce.

Literally, Pro Se is a Latin phrase and it means "on her or his own". Process of getting the divorce without the help of lawyer may vary from one State to another. These types of divorces are perfectly legal and enforceable in Washington, and are actually very convenient. Usually, once settlements have been made regarding property distribution and custody matters among the spouses in case of a mutual divorce, Pro Se Divorces are filed.

Click Here to Begin