Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 26.09 - Dissolution Proceedings—Legal Separation.
26.09.020 - Petition—Dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, legal separation, or for a declaration concerning validity of marriage or domestic partnership—Contents—Parties—Certificate.

RCW 26.09.020
Petition—Dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, legal separation, or for a declaration concerning validity of marriage or domestic partnership—Contents—Parties—Certificate.

(1) A petition in a proceeding for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, legal separation, or for a declaration concerning the validity of a marriage or domestic partnership shall allege:
(a) The last known state of residence of each party, and if a party's last known state of residence is Washington, the last known county of residence;
(b) The date and place of the marriage or, for domestic partnerships, the date of registration, and place of residence when the domestic partnership was registered;
(c) If the parties are separated the date on which the separation occurred;
(d) The names and ages of any child dependent upon either or both spouses or either or both domestic partners and whether the wife or domestic partner is pregnant;
(e) Any arrangements as to the residential schedule of, decision making for, dispute resolution for, and support of the children and the maintenance of a spouse or domestic partner;
(f) A statement specifying whether there is community or separate property owned by the parties to be disposed of;
(g) If the county has established a program under RCW 26.12.260, a statement affirming that the moving party met and conferred with the program prior to filing the petition;
(h) The relief sought.
(2) Either or both parties to the marriage or to the domestic partnership may initiate the proceeding.
(3) The petitioner shall complete and file with the petition a certificate under RCW 43.70.150 on the form provided by the department of health and the confidential information form under RCW 26.23.050.
(4) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit or prohibit the ability of parties to obtain appropriate emergency orders.

[ 2008 c 6 § 1005; 2007 c 496 § 203; 2001 c 42 § 1; 1997 c 58 § 945. Prior: 1989 1st ex.s. c 9 § 204; 1989 c 375 § 3; 1983 1st ex.s. c 45 § 2; 1973 2nd ex.s. c 23 § 1; 1973 1st ex.s. c 157 § 2.]
NOTES:

Part headings not law—Severability—2008 c 6: See RCW 26.60.900 and 26.60.901.


Part headings not law—2007 c 496: See note following RCW 26.09.002.


Effective date—2001 c 42: "This act takes effect October 1, 2001." [ 2001 c 42 § 7.]


Severability—2001 c 42: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 2001 c 42 § 8.]


Short title—Part headings, captions, table of contents not law—Exemptions and waivers from federal law—Conflict with federal requirements—Severability—1997 c 58: See RCW 74.08A.900 through 74.08A.904.


Effective date—Severability—1989 1st ex.s. c 9: See RCW 43.70.910 and 43.70.920.

Structure Revised Code of Washington

Revised Code of Washington

Title 26 - Domestic Relations

Chapter 26.09 - Dissolution Proceedings—Legal Separation.

26.09.002 - Policy.

26.09.003 - Policy—Intent—Findings.

26.09.004 - Definitions.

26.09.006 - Mandatory use of approved forms.

26.09.010 - Civil practice to govern—Designation of proceedings—Decrees.

26.09.013 - Interpretive services—Literacy assistance—Guardian ad litem charges—Telephone or interactive videoconference participation—Residential time in cases involving domestic violence or child abuse—Disclosure of information—Supervised visitatio...

26.09.015 - Mediation proceedings.

26.09.016 - Mediation in cases involving domestic violence or child abuse.

26.09.020 - Petition—Dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, legal separation, or for a declaration concerning validity of marriage or domestic partnership—Contents—Parties—Certificate.

26.09.030 - Petition for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership—Court proceedings, findings—Transfer to family court—Legal separation in lieu of dissolution.

26.09.040 - Petition to have marriage or domestic partnership declared invalid or judicial determination of validity—Procedure—Findings—Grounds—Legitimacy of children.

26.09.050 - Decrees—Contents—Restraining orders—Enforcement—Notice of termination or modification of restraining order.

26.09.060 - Temporary maintenance or child support—Temporary restraining order—Preliminary injunction—Domestic violence or antiharassment protection order—Notice of termination or modification of restraining order—Support debts, notice.

26.09.070 - Separation contracts.

26.09.080 - Disposition of property and liabilities—Factors.

26.09.090 - Maintenance orders for either spouse or either domestic partner—Factors.

26.09.100 - Child support—Apportionment of expense—Periodic adjustments or modifications.

26.09.105 - Child support—Medical support—Conditions.

26.09.110 - Minor or dependent child—Court appointed attorney to represent—Payment of costs, fees, and disbursements.

26.09.120 - Support or maintenance payments—To whom paid.

26.09.135 - Order or decree for child support—Compliance with RCW 26.23.050.

26.09.138 - Mandatory assignment of public retirement benefits—Remedies exclusive.

26.09.140 - Payment of costs, attorneys' fees, etc.

26.09.150 - Decree of dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, legal separation, or declaration of invalidity—Finality—Appeal—Conversion of decree of legal separation to decree of dissolution—Name of party.

26.09.160 - Failure to comply with decree or temporary injunction—Obligation to make support or maintenance payments or permit contact with children not suspended—Penalties.

26.09.165 - Court orders—Required language.

26.09.170 - Modification of decree for maintenance or support, property disposition—Termination of maintenance obligation and child support—Grounds.

26.09.175 - Modification of order of child support.

26.09.181 - Procedure for determining permanent parenting plan.

26.09.182 - Permanent parenting plan—Determination of relevant information.

26.09.184 - Permanent parenting plan.

26.09.187 - Criteria for establishing permanent parenting plan.

26.09.191 - Restrictions in temporary or permanent parenting plans.

26.09.194 - Proposed temporary parenting plan—Temporary order—Amendment—Vacation of order.

26.09.197 - Issuance of temporary parenting plan—Criteria.

26.09.210 - Parenting plans—Interview with child by court—Advice of professional personnel.

26.09.220 - Parenting arrangements—Investigation and report—Appointment of guardian ad litem.

26.09.225 - Access to child's education and health care records.

26.09.231 - Residential time summary report.

26.09.255 - Remedies when a child is taken, enticed, or concealed.

26.09.260 - Modification of parenting plan or custody decree.

26.09.270 - Child custody—Temporary custody order, temporary parenting plan, or modification of custody decree—Affidavits required.

26.09.280 - Parenting plan or child support modification or enforcement—Venue.

26.09.285 - Designation of custody for the purpose of other state and federal statutes.

26.09.290 - Final decree of dissolution nunc pro tunc.

26.09.300 - Restraining orders—Notice—Refusal to comply—Arrest—Penalty—Defense—Peace officers, immunity.

26.09.310 - Provision of health care to minor—Immunity of health care provider.

26.09.315 - Child custody issues—Abduction by parent—Information.

26.09.320 - Child support—Procedures for abatement based on incarceration—Rebuttable presumption of inability to pay—Reinstatement of support obligation.

26.09.325 - Child support—Who may make request for abatement based on incarceration—Procedures when multiple orders requiring incarcerated person to pay support exist.

26.09.330 - Child support—Department duties when order contains abatement language and obligated person is incarcerated—Procedures.

26.09.335 - Child support—Department duties when order does not contain abatement language and obligated person is incarcerated—Procedures.

26.09.340 - Child support—Requests for reversal or termination of abatement based on incarceration—Procedures.

26.09.405 - Applicability.

26.09.410 - Definitions.

26.09.420 - Grant of authority.

26.09.430 - Notice requirement.

26.09.440 - Notice—Contents and delivery.

26.09.450 - Notice—Relocation within the same school district.

26.09.460 - Limitation of notices.

26.09.470 - Failure to give notice.

26.09.480 - Objection to relocation or proposed revised residential schedule.

26.09.490 - Required provision in residential orders.

26.09.500 - Failure to object.

26.09.510 - Temporary orders.

26.09.520 - Basis for determination.

26.09.525 - Substantially equal residential time.

26.09.530 - Factor not to be considered.

26.09.540 - Objections by nonparents.

26.09.550 - Sanctions.

26.09.560 - Priority for hearing.

26.09.900 - Construction—Pending divorce actions.

26.09.901 - Conversion of pending action to dissolution proceeding.

26.09.902 - RCW 26.09.900 and 26.09.901 deemed in effect on July 16, 1973.

26.09.907 - Construction—Pending actions as of January 1, 1988.

26.09.909 - Decrees entered into prior to January 1, 1988.

26.09.910 - Short title—1987 c 460.

26.09.911 - Section captions—1987 c 460.

26.09.912 - Effective date—1987 c 460.

26.09.915 - Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.

26.09.916 - Rule-making authority—2020 c 227.