Washington's Residency Requirements

Either spouse must be a resident of Washington to file for divorce.

Military personnel stationed in Washington qualifies as a resident.

Washington's Grounds for Divorce

Washington residents may file for divorce under fault or no-fault grounds.

Washington's no-fault grounds include:

• irretrievable breakdown of the marriage

Washington's fault grounds include:

• adultery
• conviction of a felony and imprisonment for 1 year or more
• willful desertion

Washington's Child Custody Guidelines

Divorcing parents are allowed to collaborate on a child custody arrangement, and produce a written parenting plan. If the parents cannot reach a decision, a Washington court will make a ruling.

Washington courts consider factors such as:

• any evidence or history of neglect, violence, substance abuse, or abandonment
• the parent's ability to cooperate in shared parenting responsibilities and decisions
• each parent's history and ability to perform daily parental duties

Washington's Child Support Guidelines

If the parents cannot agree on the amount of child support and the paying parent, child support will be decided by state-specific calculations and guidelines.

Washington's Spousal Support Guidelines

Spousal support can be paid in one lump sum, in installments, or periodically. The spouses may determine the spousal support amount and payment schedule, or the courts may award spousal support.

Washington courts consider factors such as:

• duration of the marriage
• each spouse's ability to support themselves
• standard of living experienced during the marriage
• any child custody and support arrangements

Washington's Property Division Guidelines

Washington has adopted community property division guidelines, meaning all property acquired during the marriage will be divided into two equal parts. Spouses may collaborate on the property distribution, but if they are unable to agree the courts will make a ruling.

Washington courts consider factors such as:

• duration of the marriage
• custodial status of each spouse
• each spouse's' financial situation after the divorce

Washington's Venue Guidelines

A petitioner may file the divorce forms in their Washington county of residence, or in the respondent's Washington county of residence.