What is the process of getting a divorce?

The process of getting a divorce in Washington is similar to that in other states. The first step is to decide whether or not you and your spouse are eligible for a divorce. Generally, that means that you must have been married for at least 90 days, and the court must have jurisdiction over your case. Once you have determined that you are eligible, you must file a petition for dissolution of your marriage, also known as a “Complaint for Divorce.” You must fill out this form and submit it to your local court along with the filing fee. After the court has received your petition for dissolution, your spouse will be served notice of the filing. They must then file a response in the court, indicating whether they agree or disagree with the terms of the divorce. If both parties agree to the terms, then this is considered an “uncontested divorce” and the process can move forward without a court hearing. If the two parties do not agree on all the terms, then this is considered a “contested divorce” and the process will involve at least one court hearing, during which the judge will make decisions about any unresolved matters. After the court hearing, the judge will issue a divorce decree that outlines the terms of the divorce. Once the divorce decree is issued, both parties must comply with the terms outlined in it. Once that is done, the marriage is officially over and the parties are legally divorced.

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What is the process of getting a divorce?

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