Divorces require the help and advice of honest, reliable counsel. For practical advice and an explanation of your rights under Washington’s divorce laws, contact Twyford Law Office. Our seasoned divorce attorneys know how to guide you through the most difficult aspects of your Seattle divorce, no matter how complicated or challenging.
At Twyford Law Office, expect attorneys who are:
Experienced and determined;
Caring and compassionate; and
Knowledgeable and driven.
Whether you need help with complex property division, child support, visitation, alimony, or child custody, the professionals at the Twyford Law Office will structure a personalized legal strategy to meet your divorce goals. Do not allow the stress of your divorce to overwhelm you. Call our Seattle office and schedule a confidential case consultation today.
You Need a Seattle Divorce Attorney on Your Side
While divorce is not a pleasant matter, it should be kept as amicable as possible. The attorneys at Twyford Law Office work tirelessly to shield you and your family from some of the most difficult and taxing aspects of your divorce. We do this while protecting your legal rights and interests and preserving your claim to any marital assets.
As your divorce attorneys, Twyford Law Office carefully attends to the following divorce matters:
Schedule your appointment to speak with one of our Seattle divorce attorneys before taking any action in your divorce. You must know your legal rights and responsibilities before any divorce proceeding.
Who Can File for Divorce in Washington?
To file for a divorce in Washington, you must be:
A resident of Washington;
Married to a resident of Washington;
A member of the military stationed in Washington; or
Married or in a domestic partnership with a member of the military stationed in Washington.
A Washington divorce cannot be granted for ninety days after filing and legal service on the other spouse of the filing.
What Are the Grounds for Divorce in Washington?
Washington is a no-fault divorce state. A divorce can be granted upon showing that a marriage is “irretrievably broken.” If spouses disagree that their marriage is irretrievably broken, the judge considers all relevant factors, including the reason the divorce was filed and any possibility that the couple may reconcile. Then the judge takes one of the following actions:
The judge will decide the marriage is “irretrievably broken” and grant the divorce; or
If requested by either spouse or if the judge decides to do so on their own accord, the judge will:
Transfer the case to family court;
Refer the spouses to a counseling service of their choice; and
Ask for the counseling service to report back within sixty days or hold a hearing within sixty days.
The judge will then rule that either:
The spouses have reunited; or
The marriage is irretrievably broken, and grant the divorce.
A judge may also dismiss a divorce petition if either spouse claims and the judge believes that the person who filed for the divorce was convinced to do so by fraud or coercion.
What Are the Steps to Obtaining a Divorce in Washington?
The most basic steps to procuring a divorce in Washington are as follows:
A spouse must meet the residency requirements;
There must be a legally acceptable reason to end the marriage;
Appropriate divorce papers must be filed and served on the other spouse;
The other spouse will have a set time to disagree or agree with the allegations set out in the divorce documents;
Any property, assets, pensions, and debts must be divided. Child support, child custody, and spousal support must be ordered or negotiated if at issue.
All agreements and orders are set in a final divorce decree and signed by the court.
Contact an Experienced Seattle Divorce Attorney
If you would like to learn more about the Washington divorce process or file a divorce in Seattle, contact Twyford Law Office. Our Seattle divorce attorneys have decades of experience and can help you with any divorce need be it emotional, financial, or legal.
Twyford Law Office will provide you with sound advice and guidance you can depend on. We will listen intently to your divorce issues and pursue your divorce goals through the most effective legal means possible.
