How long does a divorce take in Washington State?

Washington requires a mandatory 90-day waiting period after filing before a divorce can be finalized under Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.030. Contested cases take longer — often 6 to 12 months — but couples with a prenup and settlement, like Maggie Grace's, resolve faster.

Does Washington require a reason to grant a divorce?

No. Washington is a pure no-fault state under Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.030. One spouse simply declares the marriage is "irretrievably broken." No proof of misconduct, adultery, or fault is required, which is why celebrity filings often reveal no allegations.

Are prenuptial agreements enforceable in Washington?

Yes. Washington courts enforce prenuptial agreements that pass the two-prong fairness test from In re Marriage of Bernard (2009): the terms must be substantively fair and procedurally fair, requiring full financial disclosure and no coercion when the agreement was signed.

Can I restore my maiden name during a Washington divorce?

Yes. Under Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.150, you can request name restoration in your final divorce decree at no additional cost — no separate petition needed. Maggie Grace used this exact process to restore her name to Margaret Grace Ives.

Is spousal support required in a Washington divorce?

No. Spousal maintenance is discretionary under Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.090, not mandatory. Courts award it in "just" amounts based on need and ability to pay, but spouses can mutually waive support entirely — as both parties did in the Grace–Bushnell case.

Maggie Grace's Secret WA Divorce: Prenup, 2023 Child & Name Change

News broke July 15, 2026, via TMZ that 'Lost' actress Maggie Grace quietly filed to dissolve her seven-year marriage to Two Bit Circus CEO Brent Bushnell in Washington State in May 2025. The filing reveals a premarital agreement, a March 2025 property settlement, no spousal support requested, a previously undisclosed child born in 2023, and Grace's request to restore her name to Margaret Grace Ives.

For Washington residents, this case is a textbook illustration of how the state's no-fault divorce framework under Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.030 lets couples resolve nearly everything privately — property, support, and name changes — before the public ever learns a marriage ended.

Key Facts

Detail	Information
What happened	Maggie Grace filed to dissolve her marriage to Brent Bushnell
When filed	May 2025 (reported publicly July 15, 2026)
Where	Washington State (Superior Court dissolution)
Separation date	October 2024 (living separately)
Key agreements	Premarital agreement + March 2025 property settlement
Spousal support	Neither spouse requested it
Other requests	Name restoration to Margaret Grace Ives

Why this matters legally

Washington is a no-fault, community-property state, which means a spouse never has to prove wrongdoing to obtain a divorce. Under Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.030, a court grants dissolution when one party simply states the marriage is "irretrievably broken" — no evidence of misconduct, no fault finding, no blame assigned. The Grace–Bushnell filing followed this exact path, which is why the public saw no dramatic allegations.

What makes this case instructive is how much was handled by private agreement rather than judicial decision. The couple entered a premarital agreement before marrying, then executed a separate March 2025 property settlement. Together, these documents let the spouses dictate their own financial terms instead of asking a judge to divide assets. Washington courts routinely enforce these contracts when they are procedurally and substantively fair, dramatically shortening litigation and shielding financial details from public view.

The couple also lived separately since October 2024, roughly seven months before the May 2025 filing. Washington imposes a mandatory 90-day waiting period after filing under Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.030 before any dissolution can be finalized, so the timeline reflects both the statutory minimum and the practical reality that negotiated settlements take time to paper.

How Washington law handles this

Washington divides marital property under the equitable-distribution principles of Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.080, which directs courts to make a "just and equitable" division of both community and separate property. Unlike some community-property states that mandate a strict 50/50 split, Washington gives judges discretion to weigh factors including the length of the marriage, each spouse's economic circumstances, and the nature of the property. Understanding equitable distribution is essential for anyone navigating a Washington divorce.

A valid premarital agreement can override this default framework. Washington courts evaluate prenuptial agreements under a two-prong fairness test established in In re Marriage of Bernard, 165 Wn.2d 895 (2009): the agreement must be both substantively fair (reasonable terms) and procedurally fair (full disclosure, independent counsel, no coercion). When both prongs are met — or when the agreement is fair on its face — courts enforce it. The Grace–Bushnell prenup, paired with a later settlement, appears designed to satisfy exactly this standard.

On spousal support, Washington law under Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.090 allows maintenance in "just" amounts but never requires it. Because both spouses waived support here, no court analysis of the statutory factors — marriage duration, financial resources, and standard of living — was necessary. Spouses with independent incomes and a governing prenup commonly waive maintenance entirely.

Finally, name restoration is a routine part of Washington dissolution. Under Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.150, a party may request that the court restore a former or maiden name as part of the final decree, at no additional filing cost. Grace's request to become Margaret Grace Ives again follows this standard procedure. Our name-change checklist walks Washington residents through the steps.

The filing referenced a child born in 2023, which introduces parenting considerations governed by Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.187. Washington courts require a parenting plan that serves the child's best interests, addressing residential schedules and decision-making authority. Even when parents agree privately, the court must approve the plan. Parents can estimate residential time using our parenting-time calculator.

Practical takeaways

Consider a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement before or during marriage. A valid premarital agreement or postnuptial agreement lets you set your own financial terms and can keep sensitive details out of the public record.
Document your separation date. Washington's 90-day waiting period runs from the filing date, but a clear separation date (October 2024 here) helps establish when marital finances stop commingling.
Negotiate a property settlement before filing. The Grace–Bushnell March 2025 settlement shows how resolving assets privately shortens the court process and reduces conflict.
Waive or claim support deliberately. Spousal support is optional in Washington under Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.090. If both spouses are self-supporting, a mutual waiver simplifies the decree.
Request your name change in the decree. Restoring a former name costs nothing extra when included in the final dissolution under Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.150 — no separate petition required.
Address children in a parenting plan. Any divorce involving a minor child requires a court-approved plan under Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.187. Learn more about child custody options.

If you are considering divorce in Washington and want to understand your options for property division, support, and parenting arrangements, a personalized divorce roadmap can help you map your next steps. When your situation calls for professional guidance, you can find a divorce attorney who handles cases in your county.

This article discusses recent news and provides general legal commentary. It does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. Consult a qualified family law attorney for advice specific to your situation.