Want to get divorced fast? Here are the requirements in Washington state

Once a couple in Washington decides to end their marriage, they may want to do so as quickly as possible. However, there are certain legal requirements that must be met for a couple to divorce.

There is a waiting period. In Washington, a person must be a resident of the state for 90 days following the petition for divorce before a divorce can be granted.

Washington is a “no fault” divorce state, meaning that the only grounds for divorce are an irretrievable breakdown of the marital relationship.

Assuming the residence requirement has been met, there are still certain procedures that must be followed before the divorce can be granted. The person filing for divorce must present to the court:: the most recent residence of each spouse, when and where the marriage took place, whether or not the spouses have separated legally, names and ages of children (if any), and residential or domestic arrangements that have already been agreed upon (if applicable).

A divorce filing must also include a statement with regards to the marital property and separate property, and whether alimony will be sought. Couples seeking a divorce in Washington may be able to do so relatively quickly, once the waiting period is over and especially if they have already agreed upon all their divorce legal issues.

However, sometimes they hit a roadblock in the process, whether it is a disagreement about a key divorce issue or other problem. This can hinder the divorce proceedings. Regardless, it may be useful for those seeking a divorce to consult an attorney so they understand not just how the divorce process works, but what their rights are.