Washington Petition For Legal Separation (Marriage) is a legal document filed in Washington State that initiates a process to separate legally married couples and divide assets and debts. This document is used when couples want to end their marriage but do not want to go through the process of a divorce. It allows the parties to remain legally married but live separately. The Petition for Legal Separation outlines the terms of the separation, including living arrangements, custody of the children, division of assets and debts, and spousal maintenance. There are two types of Washington Petition for Legal Separation: Temporary and Permanent. A Temporary Legal Separation is granted on a temporary basis and can be modified or terminated at any time. A Permanent Legal Separation is a more permanent solution and can only be modified by a court.
Washington Petition For Legal Separation (Marriage)
Description
How to fill out Washington Petition For Legal Separation (Marriage)?
Dealing with legal documentation requires attention, accuracy, and using properly-drafted templates. US Legal Forms has been helping people countrywide do just that for 25 years, so when you pick your Washington Petition For Legal Separation (Marriage) template from our library, you can be sure it complies with federal and state regulations.
Dealing with our service is easy and quick. To obtain the necessary document, all you’ll need is an account with a valid subscription. Here’s a brief guideline for you to get your Washington Petition For Legal Separation (Marriage) within minutes:
- Remember to attentively look through the form content and its correspondence with general and law requirements by previewing it or reading its description.
- Look for an alternative formal template if the previously opened one doesn’t match your situation or state regulations (the tab for that is on the top page corner).
- ​Log in to your account and download the Washington Petition For Legal Separation (Marriage) in the format you prefer. If it’s your first time with our website, click Buy now to proceed.
- Create an account, select your subscription plan, and pay with your credit card or PayPal account.
- Decide in what format you want to obtain your form and click Download. Print the blank or upload it to a professional PDF editor to submit it electronically.
All documents are drafted for multi-usage, like the Washington Petition For Legal Separation (Marriage) you see on this page. If you need them one more time, you can fill them out without re-payment - simply open the My Forms tab in your profile and complete your document whenever you need it. Try US Legal Forms and prepare your business and personal paperwork quickly and in full legal compliance!
Form popularity
FAQ
File the documents with Superior Court Clerk. You will also have to pay the filing fee. The average fee in WA state is $280.
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.
Washington State does not require the spouses to be separated, or live separate and apart, before filing for divorce.
Washington State law does allow married couples to enter into a binding legal separation instead of an actual Dissolution of Marriage (divorce). Legal separation in Washington State allows you and your spouse to obtain a court approved Decree of Legal Separation.
Once the judge finalizes your legal separation, you must wait six months before asking the court to convert it to a formal divorce. (West's RCWA 26.09.
The laws (i.e., property division, spousal support, child support, and parenting plan) are the same, but the parties officially remain married after a decree of legal separation and cannot remarry. A decree of legal separation can be converted to a divorce decree after six months.
Legal Separation in Washington State. Washington State law does allow married couples to enter into a binding legal separation instead of an actual Dissolution of Marriage (divorce). Legal separation in Washington State allows you and your spouse to obtain a court approved Decree of Legal Separation.
The Cons of a Legal Separation Disadvantages of legal separation include: The inability to legally remarry; Extra cost if you later decide to divorce; and. Lack of a no-fault option.