Divorce can be a challenging journey, but understanding the stages involved can help ease the process. What does the divorce process involve for couples in Washington?
1. Filing for divorce with the court
The divorce process starts with filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. This document says they want to end the marriage and may ask for things like child custody, support and dividing property. In addition to presenting this document to the court, they must also notify the other spouse, called the respondent.
2. Response
After getting the petition, the respondent has 20 days to reply if they live in Washington, or 60 days if they live out of state. In their reply, they can agree or disagree with the requests in the petition. If they do not reply, the court might make decisions without them.
3. Temporary orders
While waiting for the divorce to be final, either spouse can ask for temporary orders to deal with things like child custody, spousal support, or who stays in the family home. These orders help keep things stable until the divorce is final.
4. Discovery and negotiation
During discovery, both spouses gather information about each other’s money, assets and debts. This stage might include sharing documentation about the couple’s finances, answering questions and giving statements. After that, they often try to negotiate or use mediation to solve disagreements.
5. Settlement or trial
If both spouses agree on everything, they can send a settlement agreement to the court to approve, which speeds up the process. If they do not agree, the case goes to trial, and a judge decides on the issues they could not solve.
6. Final decree of divorce
After reaching a fair arrangement through negotiation or trial, the court gives a Final Decree of Divorce. This paper officially ends the marriage and lists what the court decided or what the spouses agreed on, like dividing property and custody. In Washington, divorces can be done in as little as 90 days.
7. Post-divorce issues
Things can change, and sometimes the divorce terms need to be updated. Either spouse can ask to change child support, custody, or other parts of the decree if they can show something important has changed.
You can protect your interests at every stage of divorce
Divorce in Washington State involves several stages designed to ensure fair outcomes for both parties. Understanding each stage can help you navigate the process more effectively. Seeking legal advice or counseling can also help you protect your rights throughout this journey.