When you got married, you never thought that you’d be spending time looking up what it takes to get a divorce. Unfortunately, sometimes people do not end up together for the long term, and divorce may turn out to be a real option to resolve marital dissatisfaction.
If you have decided to move forward with a divorce, it’s a smart idea to look over the laws that Washington has on divorce and to prepare to divorce with those in mind. Washington is unlike some other states in that it only allows no-fault divorces, and it does enforce a waiting period. Here is a little more on what you should know when you intend to divorce.
1. There is a waiting period
Before you can go through your divorce, you will need to go through a three-month waiting period. This waiting period begins on the date of the divorce petition and date when the divorce paperwork was served to your spouse.
2. You or your spouse have to be residents of Washington
To file for a divorce, you need to show that you or your spouse have lived in Washington. There is no specific length of time that you will have needed to have lived in Washington, but you will need proof of residency. If you’re not a resident but are in the armed forces, this may also qualify you to divorce in Washington.
3. Washington only allows no-fault divorces
If you were hoping to divorce your spouse with a “fault” in place, you won’t be able to do so in Washington. Washington only allows you to have a no-fault divorce.
What should you do if you want to divorce?
If you think that a divorce is right for you, then you should start gathering your financial documents, evidence of assets and other important information that will help during your divorce negotiations. Many people go through divorce every day, so you don’t have to feel alone. With the right legal support and guidance, you’ll be able to get through your divorce and move on with your life. Good support can make a difference in the length of time it takes to divorce as well as your understanding of the laws that apply to your case.