Where do I file for divorce?
In Washington, filing for divorce can be done in the county in which either the petitioner or the respondent lived for the last 90 days. It is also possible to file in the county where the marriage took place. To start the process, either the petitioner or respondent must complete a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and file it with the clerk of the court. This document contains basic information about the spouses, their relationship, and any children. Along with the petition, the petitioner must also pay the filing fee, which varies by county. Once the petition is accepted, the petitioner will need to serve the respondent with papers notifying them of the filing. This can be done in one of two ways, either through mailing the documents or hand-delivering the documents. Once both parties have been served and the Respondent has had time to respond, the court will require both parties to attend a hearing. During this hearing, the court will review the details of the marriage, decide whether to grant the divorce, and formally dissolve the marriage. The divorce process in Washington can be complicated and time-consuming, depending on the circumstances of the couple. Before beginning the process, it is encouraged to speak with a qualified attorney or local courthouse for more information.
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