WASHINGTON DIVORCE SERVICE
WASHINGTON DIVORCE ONLINE
Divorce with Children in Washington
Divorcing with children in Washington is stressful enough — the last thing you need is confusing paperwork slowing you down.
We prepare your Parenting Plan, Child Support Worksheets, and every required form correctly the first time, notarize them, and mail the full packet to the Superior Court so your case moves forward without delays. If you want to understand exactly how the process works in Washington — and how we make it faster and simpler for families — continue reading below.
Legal Framework in Washington
Washington law refers to divorce as a “dissolution of marriage” under Title 26 of the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). Cases are filed in the Superior Court of the county where either spouse resides.
The state follows a no-fault system: the only requirement is that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” Issues such as adultery or cruelty do not need to be proven and typically do not affect the outcome.
When children are involved, Washington courts must decide:
- Custody and visitation through a Parenting Plan,
- Child support under RCW 26.19,
- Property and debt division,
- Spousal maintenance (alimony), when applicable.
The guiding principle behind every decision is always the best interests of the child.
Parenting Plans in Washington
Instead of traditional custody orders, Washington requires a Parenting Plan, which becomes legally binding once approved by the court. This plan governs both the child’s residential schedule and the allocation of decision-making authority.
A Parenting Plan must include:
- A residential schedule (weekdays, weekends, holidays, vacations),
- Decision-making authority for education, healthcare, and religion,
- Transportation responsibilities and exchange arrangements,
- Dispute resolution methods (mediation is common),
- Restrictions, if necessary, to protect the child’s safety (e.g., in cases of substance abuse or domestic violence).
Judges review Parenting Plans carefully. Vague or incomplete terms are often rejected, delaying the case. Parenting Plans are one of the biggest reasons DIY divorces get rejected. Courts require details, not vague promises. We draft Parenting Plans that are realistic, enforceable, and built to meet court expectations, so your case doesn’t get stuck in revisions.
Best Interests of the Child
When evaluating Parenting Plans, judges weigh factors such as:
- The child’s age, emotional needs, and developmental stage,
- Each parent’s history of caregiving and involvement,
- The stability of home, school, and community environments,
- Relationships with siblings and extended family,
- Each parent’s ability to support the child’s relationship with the other parent,
- Any history of domestic violence, neglect, or substance abuse.
Washington law presumes that children benefit from frequent, ongoing contact with both parents, unless evidence shows that such contact would cause harm.
Relocation Rules
Washington’s Relocation Act (RCW 26.09.405–560) imposes strict rules when a parent wants to move with the child. The relocating parent must provide advance written notice, and the other parent has the right to object. Courts carefully weigh relocation requests, balancing the child’s need for stability with the realities of parenting across distance.
Child Support in Washington
Guidelines and Calculation
Child support is determined under RCW 26.19 using an income-shares model. Both parents’ net incomes are combined, and the total obligation is split in proportion to their income.
Net income includes wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, retirement, and unemployment benefits, minus deductions for taxes, union dues, and mandatory expenses. Judges then apply statutory tables to determine the presumptive monthly support amount.
Parents often miscalculate child support when filing on their own. We complete the worksheets with precision, making sure numbers add up and match financial disclosures, so the court can approve them without sending you back for corrections.
Adjustments and Deviations
The formula also accounts for:
- Health insurance premiums,
- Daycare or childcare expenses,
- Extraordinary educational or medical costs.
Judges may deviate from the guideline amount if special circumstances exist, such as children with special needs or parents with unusually high or low incomes.
Enforcement and Modification
Support orders are strictly enforced. The Division of Child Support (DCS) can garnish wages, intercept tax refunds, suspend driver’s licenses, or initiate contempt proceedings. Orders may later be modified if there is a significant change in either parent’s income, employment, or the child’s needs.
We prepare your Child Support Worksheets and financial declarations with accuracy, so your filing meets the strict requirements of Washington law.
Parenting Seminars
Most counties in Washington require divorcing parents with children to complete a Parenting Seminar (typically four hours long). The course covers:
- The impact of divorce on children,
- Strategies to reduce parental conflict,
- Tools for cooperative co-parenting.
Certificates of completion must be filed with the court. Judges will not finalize a divorce until both parents have satisfied this requirement.
Many families overlook this requirement until their case is stalled. We provide clear instructions and reminders so you finish the course on time and keep your case moving.
Timeline of Divorce with Children in Washington
Even in uncontested cases, divorces with children in Washington take longer because of additional requirements. Here’s what to expect:
- Drafting of Documents – We prepare the Petition for Dissolution, Parenting Plan, Child Support Worksheets, financial declarations, and Settlement Agreement if needed. Accuracy at this stage prevents rejection.
- Notarization of Forms – We arrange notarization for required signatures. Missing notarization is one of the most common reasons filings are rejected.
- Filing with the Court (by Mail) – Once everything is signed, we assemble your packet and mail it directly to the Superior Court. You don’t need to worry about where to send it or how to package it — we handle the entire process.
- Service of Process (or Waiver) – Your spouse must either be formally served or sign a notarized Waiver of Service. We prepare these forms for you.
- Mandatory Waiting Period – Washington imposes a 90-day waiting period between service and entry of a final decree. Even uncontested divorces cannot be finalized faster.
- Parenting Seminar – Both parents must attend and file proof of completion.
- Temporary Orders (if requested) – Courts may issue temporary parenting or support orders while the case is pending.
- Court Review – Judges review Parenting Plans and Child Support Worksheets carefully. If terms are vague, inconsistent, or unfair, revisions will be required.
- Final Decree of Dissolution – Once the judge signs and the clerk enters the decree, the divorce is official. Parenting Plans and child support orders become binding and enforceable.
Uncontested divorces with children in Washington typically take 4–6 months. Contested cases, particularly custody disputes, may last a year or more.
You don’t need to spend thousands on attorney fees to finalize an uncontested divorce with children. Our service gives you accurate, court-ready documents at a fraction of the cost.
Challenges Parents Face in Washington Divorces
Parents often struggle with:
- Drafting Parenting Plans detailed enough for approval,
- Completing mandatory seminars and filing proof,
- Correctly calculating child support under RCW 26.19,
- Handling notarization and service requirements,
- Managing relocation disputes,
- Balancing school, work, and extracurricular schedules,
- Protecting children from the emotional toll of a drawn-out process.
Parents who cooperate and prepare documents correctly usually finish faster and with less conflict.
Our role is to prevent exactly these problems. By managing the drafting, notarization, and filing, we remove the most technical and error-prone parts of the process so you can focus on your children instead of court paperwork.
Conclusion
Divorce with children in Washington requires more than ending a marriage. Parents must draft enforceable Parenting Plans, calculate child support accurately, complete mandatory parenting seminars, and comply with strict court procedures. Judges examine every detail to ensure the arrangements protect the best interests of the child.
The process is longer and more complicated than divorces without children, but with preparation and precision, it can be managed smoothly. By drafting, notarizing, and mailing your filing packet directly to the court, we take the technical burden off your shoulders. You get legally accurate, court-ready documents without risking rejection or delay.
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In an agreed divorce, the spouses can file their divorce in any County in Washington. The Circuit Court in Lee County, Washington, allows you to complete your agreed divorce without a court appearance. As such, to offer a genuinely virtual, 100% online divorce, we prepare divorce documents for filing in Lee County Circuit Court. There may be other counties where a court appearance is not required, but most counties require a court appearance. Should you wish to file in a county other than Lee County, we can prepare your documents for that county, but we charge $100 extra to draft documents for counties other than Lee. If you wish to file in a county other than Lee County, a court appearance will likely be required to finalize your agreed divorce. We know that some people – even other attorneys – might tell you that at least one of the parties (you or your spouse) must go to court at least once before your divorce can be granted. This is not accurate. We have assisted thousands with their agreed Washington divorce, for which no court appearance was required using the Circuit Court in Lee County, Washington.