To save us both time: if neither the husband and wife have ever even set foot in Washington State,
you can't get a divorce here. On the other hand, the residency rules are especially flexible
where both parties are in agreement.
$350.00 flat fee if no children
between the two of you (but of another relationship is OK)
$445.00 if there are children
*Both cases have a statewide mandatory $250 filing fee which is paid to the Court
After checking the simple requirements described on this page, you can
purchase at the Order Page to get me on board to start the divorce now.
Are you qualified? For my
office to handle your agreed/uncontested (see below for definition of "agreed/uncontested")
Military divorce
without a Court hearing,
one (and only one) of
the following need apply:
A)
either you or your spouse consider Washington to be your primary state
of residence (even if you are currently stationed overseas, or moved
temporarily to another state),
or
B)
either you or your spouse are members of the military presently stationed
in Washington. But again, it does not have to be both, just one
will suffice.
What exactly is an "Agreed" divorce?
Your divorce can be agreed even though you presently have just a
few minor issues to decide amongst yourself. You must have decided amongst
yourself that you will divorce, and if you wish to include any provisions about
property (such as a home, or debt) you have decided on those. You also have
to have reached agreement on child-custody and child support. (But once you
hire me to do the divorce: if you decide to back out, or if the other side won't
sign for any reason, the fees are still nonrefundable.)
Now, understand that both of you must sign the Orders which
will be your consent as to all residency, venue, and jurisdiction over all aspects
of the marriage (for example if the children were born out of state and
never lived here you consent to have final Orders entered affecting custody).
My office can not handle your case if these matters are not agreed and consented
to by your signatures on the documents I prepare. Once you consent and sign,
you can not later challenge it.
What is the Process?
My office prepares all the documents and I file everything
by mail, AND THERE IS NO NEED FOR A COURT APPEARANCE BY EITHER OF YOU. You
must have access to a printer where you can print out the finished documents which
I will send to you by email. You then print them out, staple them, sign them,
send to your spouse. She/he then signs and mails them back to me. I
then handle all filings with the Court. I mail the final documents to the
mailing address you specify. And if it changes to another location or state
that is fine but you must keep me updated. Divorces in Wasington have a 90-day
waiting period. One of
you, or a family member must mail me a certified check or money order made out to
the clerk of the Court for $250. (My military clients can usually get these
overseas so ask a supervisor or JAG.)
Other Information.
A Washington state divorce, where one party is in the military, is subject to the soldiers and sailors relief act, and recent
additions thereto. But before I go into that, it is important to understand
that IF BOTH SPOUSES AGREE TO THE DIVORCE AND SIGN OFF the recent provisions of
the law will not effect you. Essentially, Congress passed a law that puts
on hold civil proceedings (which includes divorce and custody and child-support)
initiated against a member of the armed forces on active duty. This makes
common sense: it is difficult for you to protect your interests in a lawsuit while
you are overseas protecting all of us!
To get started please
make the purchase,
shoot me an email with questions, call, or check the site for further information or prices of
other services
I can offer persons contemplating divorce. Is your spouse being unreasonable
or need a more in depth analysis? I have a program for people just starting
out who need
more detailed advice and predictions.
If neither you or your spouse have ever had any connection whatsoever to Washington state, you can
try this listing of
Military Divorce Lawyers.