Washington Divorce Online is a service created in Washington State that allows you to complete your official Washington State Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, commonly known as divorce, online.

Divorce Laws in Washington State

Divorce is called “dissolution of marriage” in Washington.  In Washington State, common law marriage is not recognized.  You have to be legally married to file a marital dissolution. 

Legal marriages in other states and countries are recognized as valid in Washington.  However, marriages by the following are not considered valid and legal:

• A person who already has another spouse.
• Persons who are close relatives.
• Persons of the same gender.

What are the grounds for divorce in Washington?

Washington is a “no-fault divorce” state, meaning there is no need to assign blame or prove that the other spouse is at fault for the failure of the marriage.  According to Washington state divorce laws, one spouse in the marriage just has to believe that the marriage is irretrievably broken, meaning it can no longer be fixed.

Who can file for a divorce in Washington?

You can file for a divorce in Washington if you or your spouse currently resides in Washington state.

Where do I file?

You may file in the county where either your or your spouse lives.   Alternatively, you may file in Lincoln County even if neither of you lives there.  You would only need mutual consent to file in Lincoln County.

How long is the divorce process?

The waiting period for a divorce in Washington is three months.  This is the minimum period required before the court finalizes the divorce. This means the petition should have been filed with the Washington state divorce court and served on the spouse for 90 days before it is signed by the court.

However, it may take longer especially when your spouse has objections to any aspect of your petition.  Other issues surrounding your case such as property disputes, domestic violence, child abuse, alcoholism or drug addiction that may pose a threat to your children may drag the case much longer.  

During the three month waiting period, temporary orders may be issued to establish parenting plan for dependent children, provide protection or financial support, or control conduct of the spouses.

What is an uncontested divorce?

If you and your spouse agree on four basic issues namely, 1) alimony, 2) division of property and debts and if there are children, 3) child custody, and 4) child support and you put it in writing, then you have an uncontested divorce.   That means that you have settled the issues on your own and you do not need the court to decide for you.  The court will not meddle in your agreement.

Filing an uncontested divorce is much faster, simpler and more inexpensive.

What is divorce mediation?

Mediation in divorce requires a mediator or a trained neutral, usually a lawyer, accountant or psychologist, to help spouses reach an agreement without lawyer participation.  It works best when both parties are generally at peace with the decision of getting a divorce.  It can save a couple a great amount of money, time and energy.

What can I expect from a divorce in Washington?

• The court may determine settlement of assets acquired during marriage in the fairest and most economic way possible.
• The court may determine the support obligations of the spouses.
• The court may establish child custody and visitation schedules.

What can’t I expect from a divorce in Washington?

• The court can not increase your salary to prevent a decline in your standard of living after the divorce.
• The court can not take away the fact that you still have to deal with your spouse after divorce especially if you have children.

Click here to begin your Washington State divorce online