A divorce case starts when one spouse files or serves the initial divorce petition. Once the petition is filed, the other party must be served with a copy of the petition as well as a summons which informs the person of the amount of time he or she has to file a response. If the…
Even when a marriage is on the rocks, many people still do not want to get divorced. If you are ready to move on from your marriage, but your spouse won’t sign the paperwork, what are your options? The Initial Petition When a person refuses to sign the initial petition asking for a divorce, his…
Every parent wants to spend as much time as possible with his or her children. In Washington State, parenting time is usually split equally between two parents unless a judge finds that one parent’s time should be restricted based on certain limiting factors. Washington State statutes outline circumstances when a judge may decide to limit…
Sometimes a couple realizes that their marriage is not working and decides to file a joint petition for divorce. In other cases, one spouse may be unaware that the other is filing for divorce until he or she is served with the paperwork. But what happens if each spouse files his or her own petition…
In Washington State, couples who are engaged to be married have the option of creating a prenuptial agreement. This agreement is a contract between the couple that determines what will happen if they get divorced. A prenuptial agreement can be used to pre-determine the amount of spousal support provided (known as alimony in other states),…
All divorces take time. In Washington State, a divorce must take at least three months because there is a mandatory 90-day waiting period before the divorce can be finalized. Many divorces last much longer, especially if there are conflicts over children or the division of property. As time goes on, anything can happen. If a…
Couples often wonder how divorce will affect their shared property. Washington is a community property state, which means that all property or debts acquired during a marriage belong equally to both partners and must be split between them. But does this split need to be exactly even? In Washington, state law requires judges to split…
Washington State has one of the largest Native American populations in the country. As a result, the state has a robust system of tribal courts than handle many matters, including divorce and child custody issues involving Native American children and adults. What Is a Tribal Court? There are 29 federally-recognized tribes in Washington State. Each…
When divorced parents want to change residences or move with their children, it can be a huge source of conflict. If your ex-spouse is planning to move and take the children, you must act quickly if you want to protect your legal rights. Moving Without a Parenting Plan If your spouse is planning to move,…