United States · State guide
Divorce inWashington.
Family law is state law. Here is how it works in Washington: the property rules, support, how to file, what it costs, who enforces it, and every FairWell guide and tool set up for Washington.
Official source: www.courts.wa.gov
Property division
Community property state: assets and debts acquired during the marriage are generally divided equally; separate property (pre-marital, gifts, inheritances) stays with the owner.
Residency and waiting period
Court: Superior CourtResidency at filing; 90-day waiting period after filing and service.
Child support
Economic table based on combined income.
Retirement accounts
Workplace retirement plans are divided by a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) prepared after the decree; IRAs are divided by the decree itself. A former spouse married ten years or more may claim Social Security on the ex's record.
Enforcement
Child support is enforced by Washington Division of Child Support under the federal Title IV-D program: income withholding, tax refund intercepts, license suspension and passport denial for arrears.
Health insurance
Divorce ends a former spouse's eligibility on an employer plan. COBRA continuation is available for up to 36 months at full cost; the ACA marketplace opens a special enrollment period.
Official guidelines and tools
The government and court sources for child support, spousal support, the family law statute and self-help. Use these to check any estimate, including ours.
Common questions
How is property divided in a Washington divorce?
Community property state: assets and debts acquired during the marriage are generally divided equally; separate property (pre-marital, gifts, inheritances) stays with the owner.
How do I file for divorce in Washington?
Residency at filing; 90-day waiting period after filing and service. File in the Superior Court.
When does child support end in Washington?
Most child support ends when the child graduates from high school (orders set by the state child support agency end at 18, or 19 if the child is in school full-time). A judge can order postsecondary (college) support if asked before the current order ends, usually only until the child turns 23, and can extend support in special cases such as disability.
What happens to property when unmarried couples separate in Washington?
Washington does not have common-law marriage, but its courts recognize a long-term, stable, marriage-like relationship as a committed intimate relationship (CIR). If your relationship qualifies, a court can divide property and debts acquired during it; otherwise ownership generally follows title and any agreement.
How long do you need to live in Washington to file for divorce?
There is no minimum residency period: the person filing must live in Washington (or be stationed there with the military), or be married to someone who does. Divorce is filed in superior court, and the court can only finalize it after 90 days have passed since filing and service.
Official help: WashingtonLawHelp: Divorce Basics. Rules change, so confirm with a family lawyer in Washington before you rely on them.
Read next
Guides for Washington
Filing for an uncontested divorce in the US
GuideWhat divorce costs in the US
GuideQDROs and retirement accounts
GuideDivorce and US taxes
GuideHealth insurance after divorce
GuideRelocation with children
GuideThe complete parenting plan guide
GuideYour separation date controls everything
GuideHidden assets: warning signs
GuideJoint debt at separation
GuideWhen your ex won't pay
GuideSeparating when there is abuse
Professionals
Family lawyers, mediators and coaches in Washington
Family lawyers
Listings marked Verified have been checked against the state bar directory. Each lawyer sets their own fees.
DirectoryMediators
Family mediators for parenting and financial issues. Listings marked Verified have been checked against their association.
DirectoryDivorce coaches and counselors
Decision support, communication and co-parenting help. What a coach does.
Are you a professional in Washington? List your practice.
Washington
Get organized in Washington
Guided questions for separation agreements, parenting plans and financial disclosure, linked to the official sources on this page and organized into a plain-language summary for a local family lawyer, who prepares the agreement and advises you.
Sources and further reading
This page is legal information, not legal advice. It summarizes how the process works in Washington so you can plan; the official sources above are where current fees, forms and deadlines live, and they are the final word if anything here differs. When you're ready, the assessment and FairWell's guided questions link to the rules for Washington; a local lawyer prepares any agreement and advises you before you sign.