What is the legal process for dissolving a civil union?

In Washington, the legal process for dissolving a civil union is the same as for a divorce. A civil union dissolution is a legal action in which two parties dissolve their civil union and end their legal rights and obligations toward each other. This process can be complicated and costly, and both parties should consult with a legal professional for assistance. In order to begin the dissolution process, one of the parties must file a Petition for Civil Union Dissolution in the court of the county where the civil union was initially registered. The Petition must include all the parties’ information, and the court will require a filing fee. After the Petition is filed, the court will issue a summons to the other party, which they must return with their response. The parties can attempt to reach an agreement through mediation or negotiation. If they fail to reach an agreement, the court will make a decision on the dissolution, including property division, debt division, child custody, child visitation rights, child and spousal support, and costs of the dissolution. The court will also have to decide if either party is entitled to alimony. Once all the issues have been resolved, the court will issue a final order of dissolution, which legally ends the civil union. After the order is issued, the parties are no longer married and are free to marry other people. They can also still choose to remain in a civil union.

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