Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce)

Legal Information

In this section of Washington LawHelp you will find general information, self-help packets and interactive interviews about dissolution of marriage in Washington state.

• Ending Your Marriage or Domestic Partnership in Washington with Children: The Basics

  3240EN - If you have children and want to get a divorce, you should read this publication first. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Ending Your Marriage or Domestic Partnership in Washington without Children: The Basics

  3241EN - If you have no children and want to get a marital dissolution or dissolution of domestic partnership, you should read this publication first. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• General Information about Divorce

  3200EN - Information about getting divorced in Washington state. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

  Chinese / 中文

• Filing for Divorce in WA with No Minor Children - Self-Help Forms

  Use the LawHelp Interactive web site to help you complete court forms. This online interview guides you through a series of questions and when completed provides court forms and instructions for filing a divorce without minor children of the marriage in Washington State. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Finishing Your Divorce in WA with No Minor Children by Agreement or Default - Self-Help Forms

  Use LawHelp Interactive to help you complete your court forms. This online interview guides you through a series of questions and when completed provides court forms and instructions for finishing a divorce by agreement or default without minor children of the marriage in Washington State. This interview is NOT for individuals who have a contested (not agreed) divorce. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Guardian ad Litems in Family Law Cases Cases PDF

  3103EN - A guardian ad litem (GAL) may be appointed when a court case involves custody or visitation rights. In dissolution (divorce) cases, a GAL may be involved when the parties are divorcing or when a parent has filed a case to modify an existing final parenting plan. Content Detail

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Working With GALs and Parenting Evaluators: Tips for Parents in Family Law Cases PDF

  3106EN - If you are involved in a divorce, paternity or nonparental custody case where the other parent does not agree with you, the court may appoint a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) or Parenting Evaluator. This publication contains tips to help you work successfully with the GAL. Content Detail

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Family Law: How to get a Continuance of Your Hearing

  3208EN - Basic information on how to request to move your court hearing to another date in a family law case. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Tips on Getting Your Paperwork Ready So You Can Get Help with Your Family Law Case

  3130EN - Be ready for an appointment with someone who's going to help you with your family law case. That someone might be: an attorney; a family law facilitator; an advocate at your local Domestic Violence shelter; or a CLEAR advocate who is going over forms with you by phone. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• How to Serve Papers on the Other Party in a Family Law Case PDF

  3201EN - When you file a family law case, you must make sure that a copy of the petition, summons, and other papers you are filing are delivered to the person you are filing the case against "the other party" in a legally correct way. Content Detail

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• How to Write a Declaration in a Family Law Case PDF

  3917EN - This packet tells you what a declaration is, what should be included and tips on how to write one. There is a family law declaration and other forms attached that you can fill out. Content Detail

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Tips for Helping Children Deal with Dissolution

  3207EN - If you separate and/or end your relationship, more decisions must be made at a time when you may have bad feelings about the other parent. Being prepared with good conflict-resolution skills and knowing how to find help if you can't resolve the conflict on your own will make things easier for your children. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Which Court Has the Right to Enter a Custody Order? Questions and Answers about Jurisdiction PDF

  3102EN - These questions and answers describe when a Washington court may decide custody if a child has lived in more than one state, should enforce (follow) custody/visitation orders from other states, or may modify (change) custody/visitation orders from other states. Content Detail

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Community Debt and Bankruptcy Issues

  Community debts are those debts that both you and your spouse are responsible for. This fact sheet defines which types of debts are defined as community debts. (PDF file) Content Detail

  By:

  Legal Voice

• Dissolution When the Wife is Pregnant

  3236EN - This publication describes the law and procedures which must be followed in a dissolution (divorce) when the wife is pregnant. Read More

  By:

  Legal Voice