Kennewick Family Divorce Services for Tri-Cities Residents

Compassionate Support for Ending Marriages in the Tri-Cities

Going through a divorce in Washington State, can be one of the most significant events of a person’s life. This complex ordeal involves a slew of legal paperwork, long waiting periods, a significant amount of money, decisions that often make one or more parties highly emotional, and other unpleasant and contentious matters. Though no one ever wants to endure a divorce, sadly many married people do—roughly 39% of all U.S. marriages end in divorce. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), that’s about 2.9 divorces for every 1,000 marriages.

Understanding the Duration of Divorce in Washington State

In Washington State, the average divorce takes between 3 and 12 months. The length of time depends on whether the divorce is contested or uncontested.

At Tri-Cities Family Law, we understand both the legal challenges and emotional hardships that come with divorce. Our Kennewick divorce attorney and her legal team always strive to provide clients with both the results they want and the compassionate and personalized attention they need to get through ending a marriage. We can assist you with all aspects of your divorce, including child support, parenting plans, and more.

To discuss your divorce with a dedicated attorney, contact Tri-Cities Family Law at (509) 320-4899 or online to book your confidential case evaluation. 

Comprehensive Representation for All Divorce Matters

Ending a marriage involves far more than just a breakup. You and your former spouse must decide what to do about your shared assets and the impact the separation will have on your children and others who are close to you. We understand the complexities of divorce as well as the fact that no two are alike, which is why we provide a myriad of solutions tailored to you and your specific needs. Issues related to your divorce can be resolved through mediation or litigation.

We are equipped to handle every aspect of your case as well as matters related to divorce, including:

• Alimony
• Child custody
• Child support
• Parenting plans
• Protection orders
• And more

If you and your partner would like to explore other options for ending your relationship, such as legal separation, we are happy to assist you with alternatives. We are also available to help with all kinds of non-traditional types of divorce, including gray divorce, international divorce, LGBT+ divorce, and high conflict divorce.

Steps to File for Divorce in Washington State

Typically, you must have a legal reason or “grounds” to file for divorce. Washington is a “no-fault” divorce state, meaning you do not need a specific reason, such as infidelity, to file for a "dissolution of marriage" as the process is officially known by state law. However, at least one of the married parties must be a current resident of Washington State to qualify for a divorce. Only one member of the couple must believe the marriage is beyond repair for the courts to grant a divorce, meaning that you can still successfully file even if the other party contests the decision.

To file for divorce in Washington, you must complete certain procedures and paperwork including:

• Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
• Summons
• Confidential Information Form
• Vital Statistics Form
• Serving divorce papers
• Financial disclosures
• Divorce court or mediation

After filing and serving the petition for divorce, you must wait at least 90 days before entering “final orders,” the last stage of the process. If you and your spouse both have agreed to end the marriage, you can enter the final orders stage right after the 90-day waiting period ends. However, if you and your spouse cannot agree—or you are having trouble locating your former partner—your divorce can easily take much longer to finalize than 90 days.

Property Division in Washington: Understanding 50/50 Divorce Laws

Yes, Washington is a 50/50 divorce state, which means that nearly all property, debt, and assets acquired during a marriage are subject to division between the spouses during a divorce. However, it doesn't necessarily mean the judge divides everything in half between the spouses.