In Washington, divorce petitioners cannot start a petition unless they have lived in the state for at least ninety days. The residency requirements must be met to enable the state to take jurisdiction over the divorce action. Divorce attorneys in Tacoma, WA provide assistance for petitioners who want to end their marriage now.
What Are the Available Divorce Grounds?
In the state, the only divorce ground used for these cases is an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. The grounds indicate that neither party was at fault for the breakdown of the marriage, and they aren’t attempting to assign blame. The only exception is if the petitioner wishes to obtain an annulment based on coercion or fraud, and they must provide clear evidence to substantiate these claims.
How Is Marital Property Divided?
Each party has the legal right to an equal share of the marital assets including monetary assets and any real property obtained during the marriage. Each party has the legal right to retain assets that they acquired before the marriage unless they were used as the marital home during the marriage. Any unequal division may require a monetary payment to balance the division of the marital assets.
How Is Child Custody Determined?
Whenever possible, the state requires joint custody as part of the child custody arrangement to provide equal time for each parent with their child. However, if a risk is present that suggests a parent is unfit, the court will assign sole custody to protect the child. Child support payments are based on the income of each party and all monetary requirements for the child.
How Are Debts and Taxes Managed?
Debts are paid by the account holder unless the debt was acquired through a joint endeavor. This makes each party responsible for their own debts accumulated during or before the marriage. The income tax arrangements are determined by how much the couple owes and which party has the child more often.
In Washington, divorce petitioners must follow all requirements designated by the state when filing a petition. This includes setting up an agreement in which each party receives their fair share of the marital estate.
