How Does a Judge Determine Child Custody?
If you and your spouse are getting a divorce and have minor children together, you will have to decide on a custody arrangement. If you and your spouse are unable to come to an agreement on your own, a judge may make the decision for you. A judge may use several factors to determine custody, such as each parent’s physical and mental health, the child’s relationship with each parent, each parent’s history of making decisions for the child and the child’s preference.
How Long Does a Divorce Take?
A divorce is a stressful ordeal, so it is understandable that you may want to finalize it as soon as possible. However, an uncontested divorce will take a minimum of 90 days to finalize. If you have a contested divorce, you can expect the process to take longer.
Do I Need an Attorney to File for Divorce?
No, you are not legally required to hire an attorney to file a divorce in Washington. However, it is definitely in your best interest to work with an experienced divorce attorney. Divorces can get complicated, even if you and your spouse have been civil towards each other. You may come across an area of disagreement eventually and need an attorney’s input. Your attorney will steer you in the right direction and will not let you get taken advantage of by the other side. He or she will keep your best interests at heart and improve your chances of getting a fair settlement.
What Is the Minimum Visitation Requirement in Washington?
In Washington, the minimum visitation requirement to the noncustodial parent is one week night every week and a visit every other weekend. In some cases, the judge may award a noncustodial parent more than the minimum visitation requirement. If the noncustodial parent was abusive, the judge may award supervised visits.
What Are the Legal Grounds for Annulment in Washington?
A marriage can only be annulled if one of the following situations exist:
- Each party isn’t at least 17 years old
- Either party is already married to another person
- The parties are more closely related than second cousins
- Either party didn’t have the ability to consent at the time of the marriage
What Is Spousal Support?
Spousal support, also known as alimony, is money paid by one spouse to the other. It is intended to help spouses pay for their monthly expenses, like the mortgage, utilities and food. If one spouse was the breadwinner in the marriage, he or she may be ordered to pay spousal support.
Is It Possible to Settle a Divorce Out of Court?
Many people have this image of divorce being a heated court battle. However, it is entirely possible to settle your divorce case out of court. If you and your spouse agree to all the major terms in your divorce, you do not have to go to trial.
If you need assistance with your divorce, you may want to schedule a consultation with a divorce attorney today.
