How Long Does the Average Divorce Take in Washington State?

Because each couple’s situation is different, the amount of time it will take for a divorce to be finalized in Washington will vary. The exact amount of time will depend largely on whether the divorce is uncontested or contested, whether there are any minor children to consider, and the net-worth of the marital property. Generally, first-time divorces with no children and relatively small collection of assets will be much quicker to obtain than contested divorces which must be resolved in court.

On Average How Long Does Divorce Take in Washington?

In Washington, an uncontested divorce will take a minimum of three months from the date of filing to complete due to the state's mandatory 90-day “cooling off” period. This is the absolute minimum amount of time it takes to get a divorce in Washington. In a contested divorce, the process can take 12 months or longer depending on the complexity of issues such as custody and marital asset division.

We break down the two further below:

• Uncontested divorce: Couples who can agree on the terms of their divorce can use this 90-day period for negotiating things like property division, child custody, and support payments. If both spouses are able to come to an arrangement within this time period, they can request that the court finalize the divorce in the 91^st day. This is not common for couples with children, but for shorter marriages with no kids and few assets, it can happen quite quickly.
• Contested divorce: Contested divorces, however, can take much longer. Spouses who cannot come to an agreement will have to schedule mediation, arbitration or a divorce trial. This can take up to a year or longer after the filing of the divorce petition depending on the complexity of your case. In certain areas, couples may also have to participate in alternative dispute resolution before they can be granted a trial date. Once a trial date is scheduled, only if a settlement is reached during the wait can an earlier court date be requested.

Custody Disputes Can Prolong Divorce

Divorces with children may also take more time because they are often more complicated, especially if the divorce is contested.

Both parents will need to come up with a parenting plan, which outlines:

• Visitation rights and parenting time that each parent will have
• How conflicts will be resolved
• How important parenting decisions will be made

Regardless of whether these decisions are made cooperatively or not, a judge will have to sign the parenting plan, which may take time depending on the court and how busy they are.

Let's Discuss Your Divorce

If you are considering divorce, we invite you to consult with the Washington divorce lawyers at McKinley Irvin. No matter how complex your divorce may be, our goal is to help you obtain your divorce as efficiently and in as timely a manner as possible while ensuring your rights and future are protected. With a comprehensive understanding of Washington divorce law and a detail-oriented, client-focused approach, you can be confident in our ability to guide you through the divorce process and answer your questions and concerns along the way.

To consult with a Washington divorce attorney, contact McKinley Irvin today.