Uncontested Divorce in Washington State — The 90-Day Wait, Community Property and Flat Fee Pricing

Washington State calls divorce a "dissolution of marriage". It is a no-fault, community property state with a straightforward process for agreed couples. This guide to uncontested divorce in Washington explains the waiting period, property rules and flat fee pricing.

Washington has no minimum length of residency to file. However, there is a mandatory 90-day waiting period. Consequently, an agreed Washington divorce usually takes at least three months.

From Seattle and Tacoma to Spokane, Vancouver and Bellevue, the law is the same. However, each county's superior court has its own local rules.

Residency and the 90-day waiting period

Unlike most states, Washington does not require a minimum period of residency. You can file if you live in Washington or are a member of the armed forces stationed there. However, the court needs a connection to the state to divide property and decide custody.

Washington has a 90-day waiting period. The final orders cannot be entered until at least 90 days after the petition is filed and served. Therefore, file early and prepare during the waiting period.

Joint petitions

Spouses can file a joint petition. As a result, there is no need for formal service, and the case starts cooperatively.

Community property in Washington

Washington is a community property state. Property acquired during marriage is generally community property. However, Washington courts divide all property, including separate property, in a manner that is "just and equitable". Consequently, the division is not always exactly equal.

Separate property includes assets owned before marriage, gifts and inheritances. Nevertheless, the court can consider it when making a fair overall division. Our Marital Settlement Agreement service drafts the terms for your final orders.

Committed intimate relationships

Washington also recognizes property rights for unmarried partners in some long-term relationships. Therefore, the start date of the relationship may matter for property built before the wedding.

Children, custody and support in Washington

If you have children, the court must approve the parenting arrangement even when you agree. Washington requires a parenting plan in every case involving minor children, setting residential time and decision-making. Courts in every state focus on the child's best interests. Consequently, specific schedules are approved more readily than vague ones.

Our parenting plan service drafts the weekly schedule, holidays, school breaks and decision-making rules. In addition, it covers exchanges, communication and how future disagreements will be handled.

Child support follows the Washington State Child Support Schedule, based on both parents' incomes. Our child support calculation worksheet estimates the guideline amount before you sign. As a result, there are no surprises at the final step.

The final orders

In an agreed Washington divorce, the spouses submit final orders after the waiting period. These include findings and conclusions, the final divorce order, the parenting plan and the child support order where relevant.

Many counties allow agreed final orders to be presented without a contested hearing, sometimes through an ex parte or agreed calendar. Consequently, the final step can be quick. Retirement accounts may need a QDRO.

Mistakes that delay a Washington divorce

Several errors commonly slow Washington divorces. For instance, the final orders may be presented before 90 days have passed. They will not be signed early.

Another issue is an incomplete parenting plan. Similarly, child support worksheets must be signed and filed. Therefore, use a complete checklist. In addition, many counties require parents to complete a parenting seminar.

Flat fee divorce pricing and courts in Washington

Our Uncontested Divorce Documents start at $149 for Washington. The standard package tailors every form to your facts and county. Meanwhile, the premium package adds attorney review and extra revisions.

Court filing fees are separate and paid to the clerk. If you cannot afford them, Washington courts allow you to apply to waive or reduce the fees based on income. Therefore, cost should not stop you from filing.

Each county has its own superior court. For example, King County cases are heard in Seattle and at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.

For a second opinion before you file, book an uncontested divorce consultation. If your spouse has already filed, our response to divorce petition service protects your position before the deadline. For the national picture, read our flat fee uncontested divorce guide.

A realistic Washington timeline

First, you agree the terms and gather records. Next, the petition is filed, either jointly or with service. Then the 90-day waiting period begins.

During those 90 days, the final orders and parenting plan are drafted and signed. After that, the orders are presented to the court. Finally, the judge or commissioner signs them. Consequently, agreed Washington divorces often finish shortly after 90 days.

After your Washington divorce: the final checklist

The decree is not quite the finish line. Several practical steps turn the agreement into reality. Therefore, make a checklist the day the judgment is signed.

Names, licenses and records

First, if you are restoring a former name, update your Social Security record before anything else. Then update your driver's license with the Washington Department of Licensing, followed by banks, employers and passports. Washington final orders can include a name change, which saves a separate petition later.

Property and accounts

Next, transfer the house if one spouse is keeping it. Usually, that means recording a new deed with the county auditor or recorder. In addition, the spouse keeping the home should refinance any joint mortgage by the deadline in the agreement. Meanwhile, close or separate joint bank accounts and credit cards, because creditors are not bound by your agreement.

Retirement, insurance and estate plans

After that, send any QDRO to the retirement plan administrator promptly. Delays can cost the receiving spouse money. Similarly, review health insurance: a spouse losing employer coverage may have continuation rights for a limited time. Finally, update beneficiary designations, your will and any powers of attorney. Otherwise, an ex-spouse could still inherit or make decisions for you.

Consequently, a short checklist after the decree prevents expensive problems later. If you need new estate documents, our Estate Plan Bundle covers a will, power of attorney and healthcare directive for Washington.

Our Uncontested Divorce services in Washington

Every service below has a fixed price, is prepared by a qualified attorney and is delivered online — wherever you are in Washington. Additionally, you can upload evidence, message your attorney and track progress from your secure client dashboard.

Uncontested Divorce across Washington — cities we serve

We work with clients in every part of Washington, entirely online. Therefore, it does not matter whether you live downtown or hours from the nearest courthouse. Your documents follow Washington law and your county's local practice. Choose your city below to see local details and prices.

• Seattle: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Seattle · Uncontested divorce consultation in Seattle · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Seattle
• Spokane: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Spokane · Uncontested divorce consultation in Spokane · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Spokane
• Tacoma: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Tacoma · Uncontested divorce consultation in Tacoma · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Tacoma
• Vancouver: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Vancouver · Uncontested divorce consultation in Vancouver · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Vancouver
• Bellevue: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Bellevue · Uncontested divorce consultation in Bellevue · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Bellevue
• Kent: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Kent · Uncontested divorce consultation in Kent · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Kent
• Everett: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Everett · Uncontested divorce consultation in Everett · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Everett
• Renton: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Renton · Uncontested divorce consultation in Renton · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Renton
• Olympia: Uncontested Divorce Documents in Olympia · Uncontested divorce consultation in Olympia · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Olympia

More Washington services

Uncontested divorce consultation in Washington · Marital Settlement Agreement (MSA) in Washington · Parenting Plan / Custody Agreement in Washington · Child Support Calculation Worksheet in Washington · Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) in Washington · Response to Divorce Petition in Washington. See all legal services in Washington.

Nearby states

Moving between states, or is the other party elsewhere? We also cover Uncontested Divorce Documents in Oregon, Uncontested Divorce Documents in Idaho, Uncontested Divorce Documents in California. See every location we cover.

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This guide is general information, not legal advice for your situation. Every case is different — speak to a qualified attorney before you act.