Are there any legal requirements for couples to stay married?
In Washington, like the majority of other states, there are no legal requirements for couples to stay married. Marriage is a legal contract between two people, and it is up to the couple to decide when to end their marriage. In Washington, couples may end their marriage through a process called divorce, or "dissolution of marriage." This is a legal process that is regulated by state law. In order to file for a divorce, at least one party must reside in Washington and must have lived in the state for at least 90 days prior to filing. In addition, each party must meet specific residency requirements in the county where they are filing. To file for a divorce, one party must also submit a petition and supporting documents. The petition must include information about the marriage and must also include information about any children involved, such as custody and visitation plans. In some cases, couples will need to attend mediation meetings and meet additional requirements before their divorce can be finalized. Once a divorce is granted, the couple is legally no longer married and no longer has any obligation to the other party. Though couples may choose to stay in contact after the divorce is finalized, there are no legal requirements for them to do so.
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