The dissolution of marriage in the state of Washington can be an overwhelming experience, but an uncontested divorce is faster and less expensive than traditional litigation.
If you and your spouse are considering options, a divorce in which you can agree on major points should be at the top of your list. Furthermore, this kind of divorce lays a solid foundation for future family relationships.
How it works
In the state of Washington, an uncontested divorce requires both spouses to agree on the important matters, such as the division of assets and debts, child custody and support, and spousal maintenance or alimony. If you are willing to work with your soon-to-be ex to come to an agreement on these points, an attorney can help fashion the document to present to the court.
Steps to take
The process is straightforward. First, discuss the idea of an uncontested divorce with your spouse. Talk about the terms of an agreement to get an idea as to how close the two of you are on the major considerations. You must also decide whether you want to file jointly for divorce or whether one of you should file separately.
The 90-day wait
Once you file, you must wait 90 days before the judge signs off and the divorce becomes final. The three-month wait allows time for you to reconsider the divorce action and whether you wish to reconcile.
Going forward
The process of preparing for the property division phase of the dissolution process plus making decisions about child custody and support may seem daunting, but with legal help, getting ready for an uncontested divorce will not be as overwhelming a task as it may at first appear. Working toward an agreement in a respectful manner will set a standard. If you have children, you will especially want to help them adjust well to post-divorce life. Setting an example by communicating with each other in a fair and reasonable fashion will go a long way toward establishing a solid foundation for your family relationships going forward.