Grounds for Divorce: Washington
Each state has unique grounds in which a dissolution of marriage may be granted by the court. When choosing the grounds for your dissolution of marriage, you should always remember that you must have sufficient proof to the court that your marital situation warrants a dissolution of marriage by the grounds you are requesting.
Grounds for Filing: The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage must declare the appropriate Washington grounds upon which the dissolution of marriage is being sought. The appropriate lawful ground will be that which the parties agree upon and can substantiate, or that which the filing spouse desires to prove to the court. The dissolution of marriage grounds are as follows:
1. Irretrievable Breakdown of the Marriage.
If the other party joins in the petition or does not deny that the marriage is irretrievably broken, the court shall enter a decree of dissolution.
If the other party alleges that the petitioner was induced to file the petition by fraud, or coercion, the court shall make a finding as to that allegation and, if it so finds shall dismiss the petition.
If the other party denies that the marriage is irretrievably broken the court shall consider all relevant factors, including the circumstances that gave rise to the filing of the petition and the prospects for reconciliation.
(Revised Code of Washington - Title 26 - Chapters: 26.09.030)
If you do not fall under any of the above mentioned grounds for divorce/dissolution, you most likely should consider trying to save your marriage. Many spouses find that they do not meet the requirements of a waiting period, which can be very frustrating, but it is these waiting periods that are in effect in order to help prevent rash decisions to terminate a marriage.
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- Locate a Washington Divorce Professional Near You
- Read More About Washington Divorce Laws
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