Uncontested divorce
Harbor & Pine Law represents spouses in uncontested divorces in Seattle and King County, Washington.
For spouses who agree on the major terms and want the paperwork done correctly the first time.
- For
- Spouses who agree on property, debts and any parenting plan
- The wait
- 90 days after filing and service
- Court
- King County Superior Court
- Fees
- Usually hourly against a retainer. We estimate on the first call.
What uncontested means
An uncontested divorce is one where both spouses agree on property, debts and, if there are children, the parenting plan and support.
We prepare the petition, the agreed final orders and the supporting declarations, then guide the case through the King County Superior Court process.
What happens next
Five steps, in the order they happen. The 90-day wait is the longest part, and state law sets it.
- 1 Before filing
Talk it through
We start with one conversation. You tell us what you and your spouse have agreed: who keeps the home, how accounts and debts are divided and, if you have children, where they live and who makes which decisions.
We tell you whether the case is uncontested and what, if anything, is still open. If you disagree on a major point, we say so then, so you can choose how to go on.
To bring A list of what you own and what you owe. If you have children, your thoughts on the schedule. Rough notes are fine. - 2 Before filing
Put it on paper
We draft two sets of papers: the petition that opens the case, and the final orders that will close it. Writing the whole agreement down at the start shows where a detail is missing while it is still easy to fix.
You and your spouse each read the drafts. If you have children, the drafts include a parenting plan.
Who we represent We represent one spouse. The other spouse can read the papers alone or ask a lawyer of their own to review them. - 3 Filing and service
File and serve
The petition is filed with the superior court, usually in the county where one of you lives. Filing opens the case.
Your spouse then has to be formally told about it. That step is called service. In an agreed case, your spouse usually signs a form saying the papers were received, or joins the petition, so service is quick.
On the forms The spouse who files is the petitioner. The other spouse is the respondent. The words say nothing about fault. - 4 The wait
The 90 days
Washington law requires 90 days to pass before a judge can sign final orders. The count begins once the petition is filed and your spouse has been served or has joined the petition. It applies even when you agree on everything.
Little is asked of you in these weeks. Keep daily routines steady, and call us before a large change to money, property or where the children live. We count the days and tell you the earliest date for final orders.
Why the wait State law sets the 90 days. It is not a delay on our side, and it applies when spouses agree on everything. - 5 After the 90 days
Final orders
Once the 90 days have passed, the final orders go to the judge: the decree of dissolution and, if you have children, the parenting plan and the child support order. A judge or court commissioner reviews them and signs. Depending on the court and the case, that happens on the papers or after a short hearing. We tell you which to expect.
When the decree is signed and filed, the marriage is legally over. You receive copies of the signed orders, and we go through what comes next: retitling property, closing joint accounts, and updating beneficiaries and insurance.
Keep the decree Keep the signed decree with your important papers. Banks, employers and agencies often ask for it.
This is general information about a typical agreed case in Washington. It is not legal advice, and your case may have steps this page does not list.
Words you will hear
The papers use a few terms that mean less than they sound like. Here are the ones you will meet.
- Dissolution of marriage
- The legal term Washington courts use for divorce. On this page the two words mean the same thing.
- Petition
- The first paper filed with the court. It asks the court to end the marriage and gives basic facts: who you are, when you married and whether you have children.
- Petitioner and respondent
- The petitioner is the spouse who files. The respondent is the other spouse. Neither word says anything about fault.
- Service
- Formally giving the other spouse a copy of the petition and summons. In an agreed case the respondent often signs a form that accepts the papers.
- Parenting plan
- A written plan, required when there are children, for where they live, who makes major decisions and how the parents settle disagreements.
- Decree
- The court’s final order that ends the marriage. “Final orders” is the name for the full set the judge signs: the decree and, with children, the parenting plan and the child support order.
Frequently asked questions
Do both spouses need their own lawyer?
No. One lawyer can represent one spouse only. The other spouse may hire separate counsel or represent themselves.
How long does an uncontested divorce take?
At least 90 days after the petition is filed and your spouse is served or joins it. Drafting beforehand and court scheduling afterward add to that. We give you an estimate on the first call.
Do we have to go to court?
It depends on the court and the case. Some agreed cases are finished on the papers. Others need a short hearing. We tell you which applies before the final orders are filed.
What if we disagree about something partway through?
Then the case is no longer uncontested. We tell you what that means for the steps and the timeline before you decide how to go on.
Contact Harbor & Pine Law
100 Example Street, Suite 400, Seattle, WA 98101
Email: office@harborandpine.example