Erase In Legal Washington Civil Actions Forms For Free

At least six (6) months has passed since the Final Legal Separation Order was signed by a Judge/Commissioner. Either party can ask the Court to convert the Final Legal Separation Order to a Divorce Order. Advance notice to the other party is generally required. WARNINGS!

If the legal separation has already been approved by the court, and both spouses wish to reconcile and revive the marriage without having to formally remarry, then a Motion to Vacate Decree of Legal Separation can be filled. Once the court approves same, it is as if the legal separation never occurred.

Once six months have passed after entry of the legal separation decree, either spouse can file a request (a motion) to change it. The court must grant the motion. The rest of your legal separation orders, such as any parenting plan and child support order, will still be good (stay in effect).

In Washington State, after six months, a legal separation can be easily transitioned to divorce. With this method, you and your spouse resolve all of the issues by creating a separation agreement.

There's a mandatory waiting period of 90 days from the time you file until the judge can act on your case. Couples should use this time to negotiate the terms of the separation, including property division, financial issues, and child custody.

Once the court approves a legal separation it is a final order and the chances of reversing it later are low. In order to remove the legal separation from the record, the couple will most likely need to convert it into a divorce and then remarry.