State Of Washington Divorce Laws

Divorce & Family Law Summary

U.S. Divorce Laws are enacted by each state using their respective legislative process. Once legislation is enacted into law, the divorce courts in Washington have the authority to manage the divorce proceedings, including spousal support and child support payments, custodial rights of parents, and the division of property.

Since state laws are repealed and amended frequently, it is always advisable to consult with an experienced divorce lawyer before making important decisions about your marriage.  

All states allow for “no-fault” divorce. Yet many courts still factor in the respective parties’ past behavior when determining the division of community property, debts, custody, support, and related issues. 

Read our expanded article on the divorce process for a deeper and more realistic understanding of the challenges you’re likely to face.

Residency Requirements

To meet the Washington state residency requirement, one of the parties must be a resident of the state when the divorce action was filed. The court will not enter a final divorce judgment until at least 90 days from when the parties filed the divorce.

Grounds For Divorce

Washington state follows the no-fault grounds for divorce, which is the recognition by both parties that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Suppose one party denies that the marriage is irretrievably broken.

In that case, the court shall consider all relevant factors, including the circumstances that gave rise to the filing of the petition and the prospects for reconciliation, and shall:

• Make a finding that the marriage is irretrievably broken and enter a decree of dissolution of the marriage
• At the request of either party or on its motion, transfer the cause to the family court, refer them to another counseling service of their choice, and request a report back from the counseling service within sixty days, or continue the matter for not more than sixty days for a hearing.

Legal Separation

The parties to a marriage may enter into a written separation contract providing for either party’s maintenance, the disposition of any property owned by both or either party, the parenting plan and support for their children, and the release of each other from all obligations except those expressed in the contract.

Mediation

The matter may be sent out for mediation or collaborative divorce relating to the contested issues before or concurrent with the setting of the matter for hearing. The purpose of the mediation is not reconciliation but rather to reduce animosity between the parties and to develop an agreement that promotes the child’s close and continuing contact with both parents after the marriage is dissolved.

Property Division

Washington is a community property state, meaning that property and debts acquired during the marriage shall be split equally unless the parties reach an agreement independent of a court ruling. The court will consider the following factors:

1. The nature and extent of the community property
2. The nature and extent of the separate property
3. The duration of the marriage 
4. The economic circumstances of each spouse when the division of property is to become effective, including the desirability of awarding the family home or the right to live therein for reasonable periods to a spouse with whom the children reside most of the time.

Alimony – Spousal Support

Either spouse can request that the court award spousal support. This term is also known as alimony. Among other factors, the court will consider the following issues in determining fair and just spousal support:

• The financial resources of the party seeking maintenance, including separate or community property apportioned in the settlement agreement, and the ability to meet their needs independently, including the extent to which a provision for the support of a child living with the party includes a sum for that party
• The time necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to enable the party seeking maintenance to find employment appropriate to his skill, interests, style of life, and other attendant circumstances
• The standard of living established during the marriage
• The duration of the marriage
• The age, physical and emotional condition, and financial obligations of the spouse seeking maintenance
• The spouse’s ability from whom maintenance is sought to meet his needs and financial obligations while meeting those of the spouse seeking maintenance

Special Note: The court may order that the alimony payments be made in a lump sum or over a scheduled time term.

Spouses Legal Name

Upon request of a party whose marriage is dissolved or declared invalid, the court shall order a former name restored, or the court may, in its discretion, order to change the name after the proceedings conclude.

Child Custody

Washington State has determined that the child’s best interests are served by a parenting arrangement that best maintains a child’s emotional growth, health, stability, and physical care.

Further, the child’s best interest is ordinarily served when the existing pattern of interaction between a parent and child is altered only to the extent necessitated by the changed relationship of the parents or as required to protect the child from physical, mental, or emotional harm.

Suppose the parents cannot reach an agreement concerning the custody and parenting provisions for the children of the marriage. In that case, the court may establish either sole or mutual decision-making authority and residential provisions based on, but not limited to, the following seven factors:

1. The relative strength, nature, and stability of the child’s relationship with each parent, including whether a parent has taken greater responsibility for performing parenting functions relating to the child’s daily needs. This factor shall be given the most weight
2. The agreements of the parties provided they were entered into knowingly and voluntarily;
3. Each parent’s past and potential for future performance of parenting functions
4. The emotional needs and developmental level of the child
5. The child’s relationship with siblings and with other significant adults, as well as the child’s involvement with their physical surroundings, school, or other significant activities
6. The wishes of the parents and the desires of a child who is sufficiently mature to express reasoned and independent preferences as to their residential schedule
7. Each parent’s employment schedule shall make accommodations consistent with those schedules

Child Support

Washington state uses the “Income Shares” model to determine the level of child support to be paid. This means the combination of both parents’ incomes determines the primary child support obligation.

Deviation from the standard calculation shall be applied similarly by the court, presiding officers, and reviewing officers. The court shall enter written findings of fact in all cases whether or not the court:

1. Sets the support at the presumptive amount for combined monthly net incomes below five thousand dollars.
2. Sets the support at an advisory amount for combined monthly net incomes between five thousand and seven thousand dollars.
3. Deviates from the presumptive or advisory amounts.

Please refer to the State Online Resource for more information on enforcing child support at the end of this article. 

Same-Sex Divorce

On June 26, 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage is a right protected by the U.S. Constitution in all 50 states. It follows, therefore, that the rights and obligations between same-sex divorcing parties are subject to the same dissolution laws of that state. Reference: U.S. Supreme Court Opinion: Obergefell v. Hodges.

Washington State Domestic Relations – Family Law Courts

The superior courts in Washington State have exclusive jurisdiction for domestic relations cases. There are 32 superior court judicial districts in the 39 counties.

Superior Courts in Washington State (with websites)

Sources and References

State of Washington Child Support Calculator

Washington State Family Law Handbook

Guided Legal-Help Forms

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