Divorce Resources in Washington

To file for divorce in Washington, you must file a Petition for Divorce (FL Divorce 201) and a Summons (FL Divorce 200) with the Superior Court clerk in any county where you reside. Washington is a no-fault state, so the only ground for dissolution is that the marriage is irretrievably broken under RCW 26.09.030. At least one spouse must be a resident of Washington or a member of the armed forces stationed in the state under RCW 26.09.030. The filing fee is approximately $280 to $314 depending on county surcharges, consisting of a $200 base fee under RCW 36.18.020, a $54 domestic violence prevention fee under RCW 36.18.016(2)(b), and a $30 judicial stabilization surcharge. You must also file a Confidential Information Form (FL All Family 001).

After filing, you must serve the Summons and Petition on your spouse through personal service by a process server, sheriff, or any person over 18 who is not a party to the case, as required by CR 4.1. If your spouse cannot be located after diligent effort, you may request service by publication under RCW 4.28.100. Your spouse has 20 days to file a Response (FL Divorce 211) after service within Washington, or 60 days if served outside the state. If your spouse does not respond, you may file a Motion for Default with the court under RCW 26.09.030. The court cannot enter a Final Divorce Order until at least 90 days have passed since both the petition was filed and service was completed on the respondent.

If you have dependent children, you must file a Parenting Plan (FL All Family 140) establishing a residential schedule and decision-making authority under RCW 26.09.181 and RCW 26.09.187. Both parents must complete a mandatory parenting seminar within 60 days of service under RCW 26.12.172, with fees capped at $60. You must also file Child Support Worksheets (FL All Family 130) calculating each parent's obligation under the Washington State Child Support Schedule, RCW 26.19. A Financial Declaration (FL All Family 131) is required whenever the court makes decisions about maintenance, child support, or property division under RCW 26.18.220. Financial source documents should be filed separately under seal using the Sealed Financial Source Documents cover sheet.

Washington is a community property state, and the court divides property and debts in a just and equitable manner under RCW 26.09.080. Both community and separate property are subject to the court's disposition. After the 90-day waiting period has elapsed and all required documents are filed, you may present the Final Divorce Order (FL Divorce 241) to the court for signature. In uncontested cases, many counties allow final orders to be presented without a hearing. If the case is contested, the court will schedule a trial. Upon entry of the final order, the marriage is dissolved, and either party may request restoration of a former name under RCW 26.09.150.

Washington requires both parents to complete a mandatory parenting seminar in all dissolution, legal separation, and parentage actions involving minor children under RCW 26.12.172. Each parent must complete an approved seminar within 60 days after service of the petition or motion initiating the action. The seminar fee is capped at $60, and the court may waive the fee for indigent parties upon request. Parents are never required to attend the same seminar session together. If domestic violence is involved, the court must either allow the victim to participate in an alternative seminar for battered spouses or waive the requirement entirely. Willful refusal to participate constitutes contempt of court and may result in sanctions including monetary penalties, striking of pleadings, or denial of parenting plan relief. Each county maintains a list of approved seminar providers — check with your local Superior Court clerk or county website for approved options and scheduling.

Washington state law does not mandate mediation before divorce, but RCW 26.09.015 authorizes courts to order mediation of contested issues at any time. Several counties impose local ADR requirements: King County (LFLR 16) requires parties to participate in mediation, settlement conference, or other ADR no later than 30 days before trial; Snohomish County and Whatcom County have similar mandatory mediation rules. All county-level mediation requirements include exceptions for cases involving domestic violence under RCW 26.09.015. The Washington Courts Alternative Dispute Resolution program provides information about available services at courts.wa.gov/programs_orgs/pos_adr. Many counties offer low-cost mediation through Dispute Resolution Centers established under RCW 7.75. Mediation communications are generally confidential except in cases involving abuse, neglect, or bad-faith participation in the process.

Washington requires parties to file a Financial Declaration (FL All Family 131) whenever the court makes decisions about child support, spousal maintenance, or property division under RCW 26.18.220(1). The declaration is a sworn statement signed under penalty of perjury listing gross monthly income, deductions, net income, available assets, monthly expenses, and debts. Financial source documents such as pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements must not be attached to the Financial Declaration — they must be filed separately using the Sealed Financial Source Documents cover sheet (FL All Family 011) to protect privacy under GR 22. The sealed documents remain available to all parties, attorneys, court personnel, and certain state agencies. Washington is a community property state under RCW 26.16, and full financial disclosure is essential because the court divides all community and separate property in a just and equitable manner under RCW 26.09.080.