Divorce in Washington

This guide briefly discusses the forms and instructions you will need to use to file for divorce in Washington State.  Visit either of the following web sites for definitions of the terms used here:

General Information:

If you would like an overview of divorce, click on one of the links below.

Laws:

Laws concerning divorce (dissolution) procedures are found primarily in RCW 26.09.  Since filing for divorce often means making arrangements for many other issues such as child support, living arrangements for children and spousal support, you may also need to review additional laws in RCW 26.  You will also need to follow the applicable Washington State Court Rules and any local court rules for the county in which you file.

Forms:

Washington State uses mandatory pattern forms for divorce.  These can be found on the web with and without instructions. The official source for these pattern forms is the forms section of the web site for the Washington State Courts.  Here you will find divorce forms arranged in the order they are filed in a typical divorce.  Most are available in both MS Word and PDF formats so you may fill them out online or print them and fill them out by hand.

  • FL Divorce 200 Summons: Notice about a Marriage or Domestic Partnership
  • FL Divorce 201 Petition for Divorce (Dissolution)
  • FL All Family 001 Confidential Information Form
  • FL All Family 002 Addendum to Confidential Information Form
  • DOH 422-027 Certificate of Dissolution, Declaration of Invalidity of Marriage, orLegal Separation
  • FL All Family 101 Proof of Personal Service
  • FL All Family 119 Agreement to Join Petition (Joinder)
  • FL All Family 117 Service Accepted
  • FL Divorce 211 Response to Petition about a Marriage
  • FL All Family 185 Notice of Hearing
  • FL All Family 112 Proof of Mailing or Hand Delivery (for all documents after Summons and Petition)
  • FL Divorce 231 Findings and Conclusions about a Marriage
  • FL Divorce 241 Final Divorce Order (Dissolution Decree)/Legal Separation Order (Decree)/Invalidity Marriage Order (Annulment Decree) / Valid Marriage Order (Decree)
  • FL All Family 150 Restraining Order
  • FL All Family 130 Child Support Order
  • WSCSS – Schedule  Washington State Child Support Schedule Definitions and Standards, Instructions and Economic Table
  • WSCSS – Worksheets  Washington State Child Support Schedule Worksheets
  • WSCSS – Attachment for RSA Attachment for Residential Split Adjustment
  • FL All Family 131 Financial Declaration
  • FL All Family 011  Sealed Financial Source Documents (Cover Sheet)
  • FL All Faimly 140  Parenting Plan
  • FL Divorce 243  Residential Time Summary Report

Child Support Schedule Calculator. The Washington State Child Support Schedule Calculator, offered by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) will help you create a set of Washington State Child Support Schedule Worksheets, which are required when you are a party to the entry of a child support order. The Calculator is based on the Washington State Child Support Schedule laws found in Chapter 26.19 RCW and the worksheets and instructions developed by the Administrative Office of the Courts. The Calculator can be used to estimate the amount of child support that might be ordered in your case. It is meant to be advisory only. The superior court judge, court commissioner, or administrative law judge has the final authority to determine the amount of child support ordered.

Contempt of Court Forms. This web link points to the following standard forms used to file a contempt of court action for family law cases in Washington State.  Additional local court forms may be required and are not included here.

  • FL All Family 165  Motion for Contempt Hearing
  • FL All Family 011  Sealed Financial Source Documents (Cover Sheet)
  • FL All Family 135  Declaration of (Name)____________________
  • FL All Family 101  Proof of Personal Service
  • FL All Family 166  Order to go to Court for Contempt Hearing (Order to Show Cause)
  • FL All Family 167  Contempt Hearing Order

WashingtonLawHelp provides a full set of guides covering typical divorce procedures.  These are located together under the section Family Law – Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce).  These guides include the mandatory pattern forms mentioned above and detailed instructions.  They are available in PDF format only so you will need to print them and fill them out by hand.  If your situation qualifies and you are comfortable using a computer to complete online forms, Washington LawHelp also has the following online interactive guides for divorce:

Books in the Law Library:

  • Washington Family Law Deskbook, shelved at KF 505 Z99 W36 2000 REF. This 3-volume set contains detailed information about marriage, divorce, and child custody matters. It is a good source for discussions of the law and of the policies that underlie the law. It also briefly addresses guardianships, parentage, non-marital couples, and domestic violence. 
  • Washington Community Property Deskbook, shelved at KF 526 .W38. This publication examines the ownership of property by married people in Washington. It details the basics of characterizing property as “his-hers-ours” and includes a discussion of creditor’s rights and tax considerations.
  • Washington Practice, shelved at KFW 80 .W3 RES. Volumes 19 to 22 of this invaluable resource cover Family and Community Property Law. Here you will find detailed and technical discussions of all aspects of family law.

Help For King County Residents:

King County Family Law Facilitators: The Family Law Facilitators, located in Room W382 in the King County Courthouse and Room 3D in the Maleng Regional Justice Center, can provide:

  • Instructions and/or packets of forms for all family law cases and motions except paternity.
  • Information on court rules and procedures
  • Forms review to make sure they are complete.

We encourage you to have all your paperwork reviewed prior to filing. You can obtain forms and instructions any time between 8:30 and 12:00 noon and 1:00-4:00.  You can meet with a Facilitator during walk in hours every morning from 9:30 am to 12:00 noon, and from 2:15-4:00 Monday and Thursday in Kent and Wednesday and Friday in Seattle. Note that walk in hours are on a first come first serve basis so we recommend coming early as spots fill up fast. The facilitators cannot give legal advice. The Facilitators have also made their family law instructions available online at their website. If you have questions about their services you can reach the facilitators offices at 206-477-2553 for Seattle and 206-477-2781 in Kent.

Help For Washington Residents:

Legal Voice (formerly known as Northwest Women’s Law Center): This non-profit agency provides classes, publications, and referrals for women and men living in the Northwest. 206-621-7691

CLEAR (Coordinated Legal Education, Advice, and Referral): CLEAR is Northwest Justice Project’s innovative statewide toll-free telephone service for low-income people to obtain free legal assistance with civil legal problems in Washington state. The hotline operates between 9:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.  Monday through Friday.

CLEAR Sr. is a similar project which serves people age 60 and over regardless of their financial situation.

  • CLEAR – 1-888-201-1014
  • CLEAR Sr. (60 and over) – 1-888-387-7111

If You Need More Help:

Guide to Family Law Clinics & Resources in King County

Links Updated: October 2020