Washington Divorce Information
The following information is a resource on divorce in the state of Washington. You can find lawyers, divorce forms, support, and divorce laws. In addition to the resources listed below, you can find more help and information in our divorce article section.
ProfessionalsDivorce LawyersPrivate Investigators Background Checks Divorce SupportSupport GroupsParenting Classes Domestic ViolenceShelters and Hotlines |
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DIVORCE LAWYERS AND FIRMS
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DIVORCE FORM PREPARATION
Washington Premium Divorce Service
Counties served: All counties in Washington State
Phone: 1-800-680-9052
Have All of Your Documents Completed For You! This easy to use, accurate, and up-to-date on-line divorce service is a perfect "do it yourself (without a lawyer)" solution for any uncontested divorce (with or without children) that will be filed in the state of Washington. You can get "Real Person" customer support by phone & e-mail, plus access to 40 downloadable books (valued at over $750). Start your Washington divorce today.
Washington Divorce ONLINE
3430 Pacific Ave SE
Olympia, WA 98501
Counties served: All counties in Washington State
Phone: (360) 451-1719
PARENTING CLASSES
APPLE parenting (a positive parenting learning experience), for parents with infants through age 8, is sponsored by South Seattle Community College. Our FREE 11 week classes meet court requirements and specialize in supporting parents during tough times. Referrals can be made to 206-764-5801.PRIVATE INVESTIGATORS
There are currently no private investigators for this state
BACKGROUND CHECKS
Conduct Background Checks and Investigations - Obtain vital statistics, marriage and divorce records, credit record checks, criminal and court records, sex offender searches, driving and vehicle records, property records, general public records, business registration and property resources. Find out the truth about anyone!
DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUPS
Divorce Care can help you locate a divorce support group in your area. There are thousands of DivorceCare support groups throughout the USA and Canada, and many groups meeting internationally as well.
Partners in Prevention provides consulting and psychological services to
domestic abuse survivors before, during and post divorce. Additionally, we serve
as consulting experts in both civil and criminal domestic violence cases. We
also offer continuing medical and nursing education in domestic abuse assessment
and clinical management to healthcare professionals. You can contact us at:
13918 E. Mississippi Ave
Aurora, CO 80012
Phone: 720-222-1058
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCES
Domestic Violence Crisis and Support ServicesShelters and Hotlines
State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
WASHINGTON DIVORCE LAWS
General Information About Divorce from LawHelpOnline Divorce Codes
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS AND WHERE TO FILE: To file for a dissolution of marriage or a legal separation, the following residency requirements apply: A party who (1) is a resident of this state, or (2) is a member of the armed forces and is stationed in this state, or (3) is married to a party who is a resident of this state or who is a member of the armed forces and is stationed in this state. Such proceeding may be filed in the superior court of the county where the petitioner resides. [Based on Washington State Revised Code - Title 26 - Chapter 26.09.010 and 26.09.030]
LEGAL GROUNDS FOR DIVORCE: The only grounds for a dissolution of marriage in the state of Washington is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. If one party denies that the marriage is irretrievably broken, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including the circumstances that gave rise to the filing of the petition and the prospects for reconciliation and shall: (1) Make a finding that the marriage is irretrievably broken and enter a decree of dissolution of the marriage; or (2) At the request of either party or on its own motion, transfer the cause to the family court, refer them to another counseling service of their choice, and request a report back from the counseling service within sixty days, or continue the matter for not more than sixty days for hearing. [Based on Washington State Revised Code - Title 26 - Chapter 26.09.030]
LEGAL SEPARATION: The parties to a marriage may enter into a written separation contract providing for the maintenance of either of them, the disposition of any property owned by both or either of them, the parenting plan and support for their children and for the release of each other from all obligation except that expressed in the contract. [Based on Washington State Revised Code - Title 26 - Chapter 26.09.070]
MEDIATION OR COUNSELING REQUIREMENTS: In any proceeding under this chapter, the matter may be set for mediation of the contested issues before or concurrent with the setting of the matter for hearing. The purpose of the mediation proceeding shall be to reduce acrimony which may exist between the parties and to develop an agreement assuring the child's close and continuing contact with both parents after the marriage is dissolved. The mediator shall use his or her best efforts to effect a settlement of the dispute. [Based on Washington State Revised Code - Title 26 - Chapter 26.09.015]
PROPERTY DISTRIBUTION: Washington state is a community property state, meaning that property and debts acquired during the marriage shall be split equally, unless the parties reach an agreement independent of a court ruling. Should the matter be decided by the court, the following factors will be taken into consideration:
- The nature and extent of the community property;
- The nature and extent of the separate property;
- The duration of the marriage; and
- The economic circumstances of each spouse at the time the division of property is to become effective, including the desirability of awarding the family home or the right to live therein for reasonable periods to a spouse with whom the children reside the majority of the time.
[Based on Washington State Revised Code - Title 26 - Chapter 26.09.080]
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DIVORCE AND ALIMONY IN WASHINGTON STATE: Alimony may be ordered for
either spouse in such amounts and for such periods of time as the court deems
just, without regard to marital misconduct, after considering all relevant
factors including but not limited to:
- The financial resources of the party seeking maintenance, including separate or community property apportioned in the settlement agreement, and the ability to meet his or her needs independently, including the extent to which a provision for support of a child living with the party includes a sum for that party;
- The time necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to enable the party seeking maintenance to find employment appropriate to his skill, interests, style of life, and other attendant circumstances;
- The standard of living established during the marriage;
- The duration of the marriage;
- The age, physical and emotional condition, and financial obligations of the spouse seeking maintenance; and
- The ability of the spouse from whom maintenance is sought to meet his needs and financial obligations while meeting those of the spouse seeking maintenance.
[Based on Washington State Revised Code - Title 26 - Chapter 26.09.090]
SPOUSE'S NAME: Upon request of a party whose marriage is dissolved or declared invalid, the court shall order a former name restored or the court may, in its discretion, order a change to another name. [Based on Washington State Revised Code - Title 26 - Chapter 26.09.150]
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CHILD CUSTODY: The best interests of the child are served by a
parenting arrangement that best maintains a child's emotional growth, health and
stability, and physical care. Further, the best interest of the child is
ordinarily served when the existing pattern of interaction between a parent and
child is altered only to the extent necessitated by the changed relationship of
the parents or as required to protect the child from physical, mental, or
emotional harm. If the parents cannot reach an agreement concerning the custody
and parenting provisions for children of the marriage, then the court may
establish either sole or mutual decision making authority and residential
provisions considering the following factors:
- The relative strength, nature, and stability of the child's relationship with each parent, including whether a parent has taken greater responsibility for performing parenting functions relating to the daily needs of the child (this factor shall be given the most weight);
- The agreements of the parties, provided they were entered into knowingly and voluntarily;
- Each parent's past and potential for future performance of parenting functions;
- The emotional needs and developmental level of the child;
- The child's relationship with siblings and with other significant adults, as well as the child's involvement with his or her physical surroundings, school, or other significant activities;
- The wishes of the parents and the wishes of a child who is sufficiently mature to express reasoned and independent preferences as to his or her residential schedule; and
- Each parent's employment schedule, and shall make accommodations consistent with those schedules.
The court may order that a child frequently alternate his or her residence between the households of the parents for brief and substantially equal intervals of time only if the court finds the following: (1) There is no evidence of willful abandonment that continues for an extended period of time or substantial refusal to perform parenting functions; physical, sexual, or a pattern of emotional abuse of a child; or a history of acts of domestic violence; (2) The parties have agreed to such provisions and the agreement was knowingly and voluntarily entered into; or have a satisfactory history of cooperation and shared performance of parenting functions; the parties are available to each other, especially in geographic proximity, to the extent necessary to ensure their ability to share performance of the parenting functions; and (3) The provisions are in the best interests of the child. [Based on Washington State Revised Code - Title 26 - Chapters 26.09.002, 26.09.187, and 26.09.191]
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CHILD SUPPORT IN WASHINGTON STATE: Washington uses the "Income
Shares" model to determine the level of child support to be paid.
This means that the combination of both parents income is used to determine the
basic child support obligation. The provisions for determining child
support and reasons for deviation from the standard calculation shall be applied
in the same manner by the court, presiding officers, and reviewing officers. The court shall enter
written findings of fact in all cases whether or not the court: (a) Sets the
support at the presumptive amount, for combined monthly net incomes below five
thousand dollars; (b) sets the support at an advisory amount, for combined
monthly net incomes between five thousand and seven thousand dollars; or (c)
deviates from the presumptive or advisory amounts.
In entering or modifying a support order under this chapter, the court shall require either or both parents to maintain or provide health insurance coverage, for any child named in the order if: (a) Coverage that can be extended to cover the child is or becomes available to that parent through employment or is union-related; and (b) The cost of such coverage does not exceed twenty-five percent of the obligated parent's basic child support obligation. [Based on Washington State Revised Code - Title 26 - Chapters 26.09.105, 26.19.050, and 26.19.035] » Return to top
