Proper Way to File for a Divorce in Washington
- 1
Consult a qualified attorney, even if your case is simple, to avoid future complications.young lawyer image by Alexey Stiop from Fotolia.com
Consult a qualified attorney who can advise you about your specific case before you begin divorce proceedings. She will help you make informed decisions and, if necessary, represent you on issues including alimony, division of property and child custody. - 2). Complete the necessary forms to file for divorce, located on the Washington State Courts website. Fill out a Petition for Dissolution, Confidential Information Form and a Summons. Once the divorce is finalized, fill out a Vital Statistics Form at the clerk's office. In some counties of Washington, you may also have to fill out additional paperwork specific to the jurisdiction of that county.
- 3). Make photocopies of all the forms, and then file the originals at your local county courthouse. Pay the filing fee, usually around $200.
- 4). Serve your spouse with the photocopies from the previous step. This procedure does not change if your spouse did not know you were planning to serve him with divorce papers. Because you may not personally deliver the paperwork, hire someone to complete the task for you. Your spouse can receive the papers once he has signed an "Acceptance of Service" form, also available on the Washington State Courts website.
- 5). Arrange temporary orders on such matters as temporary custody of children, and start preparing for the divorce process. Your spouse typically has 20 to 60 days to issue a written response to your Petition for Dissolution.
- 6). Complete the filing process with all necessary paperwork signed and submitted from both parties. A minimum 90-day wait period must elapse after all the forms are filed before the judge can sign a Decree of Dissolution of Marriage to formally conclude the process.
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