If you are heading towards or considering a divorce, working closely with a King County divorce lawyer can help ensure you protect your family’s future. Our team at Twyford Law Office will evaluate your unique situation and provide the legal support you need to achieve your goals. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Why Hire Twyford Law Offices for Your King County Divorce Case?
We have decades of combined experience helping families navigate complex divorce matters.
We have a thorough understanding of Washington’s divorce and family laws to help you obtain your desired outcome.
We make it a point to be responsive to our clients and treat each one with the highest level of respect and care.
How Can a King County Divorce Attorney Help?
Hiring a divorce lawyer in King County will ensure that your divorce process goes as smoothly as possible. Being informed of how the process works and knowing your options can give you peace of mind. A divorce lawyer will help you with all aspects of your case. They have the resources and experience to guide you through the court system and see that all your documents are filed correctly, free of errors, and without ambiguous or unclear language. A King County family law attorney experienced in handling divorce cases can help prevent delays, complications, and costly legal missteps. All of which will significantly reduce your stress and protect you from potential pitfalls of the divorce process.
Washington Residency Requirement
Each state has unique residency requirements when filing for divorce. Under RCW 26.09.010, 26.09.030, Washington State’s are as follows:
One of the parties must be a resident of the state or a member of the armed forces and stationed in Washington.
The state imposes a waiting period of 90 days before the court will grant a divorce.
The petition for Dissolution of Marriage is typically filed in the county in which the filing spouse resides.
Unlike many other states, Washington does not require you to have lived here for a specific length of time before filing. As long as you or your spouse has established residency, you can file for divorce.
The Divorce Process in Washington
Washington is a “no-fault” state which means a spouse must only state that their marriage is “irretrievably broken” to file for divorce. However, it is important to note that when it comes to property division or spousal support, the state can consider fault-based arguments. If you have questions about the divorce process in Washington, speak with a knowledgeable King County divorce attorney. The divorce process (including high asset divorce) typically proceeds as follows.
Petition
To initiate divorce proceedings, one spouse (the Petitioner) must file a petition for divorce with the court.
Serving Divorce Papers
The Petitioner must prove to the court that their spouse (the Respondent) has received a copy of the petition. Most often, that is done by using a professional process server.
Response
The Respondent has a limited amount of time to file a response and contest the terms of the divorce. If the respondent agrees with the terms, they can sign the “joinder” on the petition for dissolution, and then after 90 days, the divorce can be finalized.
Temporary Orders
A request for temporary orders can be submitted to the court to temporarily address issues before a formal divorce settlement is agreed upon, such as child custody, visitation schedules, spousal maintenance, child support, etc.
Parenting Seminar
When children are involved, the parties must attend a parenting seminar that provides information on how divorce impacts children.
Discovery
Each party will exchange information and disclose facts and documents related to the case.
Settlement
If both parties can resolve their disputed issues in mediation, a written settlement document can be presented to the Ex Parte Department commissioner for their approval.
Trial
If the parties cannot agree on the terms of their divorce, a judge will decide on the issues at trial before granting a Decree of Dissolution of Marriage.
Contact a Divorce Lawyer in King County, WA Today
The King County divorce attorneys at Twyford Law Office are ready to help you navigate your divorce to a successful resolution. For a free consultation to discuss your situation and legal options, call (509) 327-0777 or contact us online today.
