Washington State Family Law & Divorce: 90-Day Waiting Period & Temporary Relief

January 11, 2017 – Bains Law Firm

After filing a Petition for divorce, a 90-day waiting period must elapse before final divorce orders can be entered. The 90-day period starts from when the Petition is filed with the Court or when Service has occurred; whichever occurs last. Your divorce will not be automatically finalized after the 90-day period has ended. To finalize the divorce the parties will need to come to an agreement and sign papers, or a default must be entered, or a trial must take place where the judge will decide the issues. Finalizing the divorce may require you to appear in Court, even if the parties are in agreement.

Before a divorce can be finalized, temporary relief from the Court may be needed. The relief can include a temporary parenting plan, child support, spousal support, restraining orders, who pays what bills, who lives where, or attorney fees. These temporary orders will determine how the parties proceed until the finalization of the divorce.

The divorce process can be emotionally difficult and complex. Decisions made about each step of the litigation can affect you for many years. We have years of experience helping our clients through the difficulty of divorce and can help you through the process. Contact us today at (253) 838 – 3377 or email at office@bainslawfirm.com, to talk about your divorce.

Disclaimer: All materials provided on this website have been prepared by Bains Law Firm for general information purposes only and no representation is made as to their completeness or accuracy. Information on this website is not intended as legal advice, and may not be relied upon as such. Only an attorney who can review the unique facts of each case and apply them to the statutes, case law and court rules can provide legal advice. Nothing in this website shall be construed to create an attorney-client relationship.