Helpful procedural information and resources related to the Family Law practice in Washington. These articles relate to the process or procedure of a divorce or family law action (as opposed to the substantive law).Family Law: Procedure in Divorce The following is a description of the possible procedure involved in a divorce in Washington state. Commencement: A dissolution of marriage is a difficult process which you must go through in order to end your marriage. It is commenced by one party (petitioner) filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. […]
Risks of “Do It Yourself Divorce”
We live in a society that likes to “do it yourself”. This can save you time and money in many circumstances, especially in home improvement projects. Today, many people also try to do a do it yourself divorce, without the necessity of an attorney. This is much easier to do today, especially in Washington, as […]
Service of Process
Why is service in a legal action so important? We have a constitutional right to due process. That means you have to receive notice of a legal action against you so that you have the right to respond and contest it. The way you get notice is by being personally served with a copy of […]
Settlement Conference
Divorce: How to Prepare for a Settlement Conference Frequently in a divorce, the parties engage in a settlement conference prior to trial in hopes of settling the case and avoiding a trial, saving the financial and emotional cost of trial. Settlement conferences usually have a settlement conference master who is independent (often a retired judge […]
Temporary Order
Family Law: Temporary Order After Decree What happens to a Temporary Order after the entry of a final Decree? The old rule in Washington was the temporary orders were “merged” into the Decree, meaning that unless they were specifically addressed in the Decree, they went away. That made sense for restraining orders and Parenting Plan […]
Temporary Order in Divorce
Family Law: Temporary Order in Washington Divorce In King County, the trial date for a dissolution is set for approximately eleven (11) months from the time of filing. While awaiting the trial, either party may move the Court for Temporary Orders, including temporary spousal maintenance, Temporary Parenting Plan, temporary child support, and restraining orders. The […]
Time for Divorce
Family Law: What is the Time for Divorce? What is the time for divorce? In the State of Washington, there is a mandatory waiting period of 90 days between the time you file for a divorce and the time you may obtain one. This means that it takes a minimum of 90 days to obtain […]
Understanding a Case Schedule
Family Law: Understanding the King County Case Schedule Order and its Deadlines What is the King County Case Schedule Order? When you file for divorce or for modification of a parenting plan in King County, or start a parentage action, the Clerk will hand you (or your lawyer, if you have one) a mysterious four-page […]
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