To start the divorce process, the petitioner files the Summons and Petition for Dissolution with the Superior Court in the county in which either party lives (*).  The petitioner must also serve the other party, the respondent, with the same papers.  There is a 90 day waiting period or cooling off period designed to give both parties an opportunity to reconcile and stay married.  The clock starts ticking after both filing and service of the papers, whichever is later. This is the soonest the parties can finalize a divorce and usually only in cases that are not contested.  If the case is contested on the other hand, it can drag on several months or end up in trial which is about one year from the date the case is filed in King County and Pierce County.  You will receive a case schedule with all the deadlines that must be followed. (*)  There is an exception to this rule where you can file an uncontested divorce case in Lincoln County without    either party residing in that county.  You also do not need to appear in court to finalize the divorce in Lincoln County.

 


Q: How long does it take to get a divorce finalized?

A:

To start the divorce process, the petitioner files the Summons and Petition for Dissolution with the Superior Court in the county in which either party lives (*).  The petitioner must also serve the other party, the respondent, with the same papers.  There is a 90 day waiting period or cooling off period designed to give both parties an opportunity to reconcile and stay married.  The clock starts ticking after both filing and service of the papers, whichever is later.

This is the soonest the parties can finalize a divorce and usually only in cases that are not contested.  If the case is contested on the other hand, it can drag on several months or end up in trial which is about one year from the date the case is filed in King County and Pierce County.  You will receive a case schedule with all the deadlines that must be followed.


(*)  There is an exception to this rule where you can file an uncontested divorce case in Lincoln County without    either party residing in that county.  You also do not need to appear in court to finalize the divorce in Lincoln County.


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Bellevue
10655 NE 4th Street
Suite 208
Bellevue, WA 98004
Phone: (425) 289-1990
Fax: (425) 289-1991
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Tacoma, WA 98409
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Offices

Bellevue
10655 NE 4th Street
Suite 208
Bellevue, WA 98004
Phone: (425) 289-1990
Fax: (425) 289-1991
Toll Free: (800) 636-3676

Tacoma
4301 South Pine Street
Tacoma, WA 98409
Phone: (253) 682-2000
Toll Free: (800) 636-3676

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