No-Fault Divorce in Washington
State-specific overview · Family Law
Washington grants no-fault divorce based solely on "irretrievable breakdown" with no mandatory waiting or separation period.
How Washington treats No-Fault Divorce
Washington is a pure no-fault state that does not require spouses to prove wrongdoing or live separately before divorce. Either spouse can file citing irreconcilable differences, and the court will grant the divorce without investigating the cause. The process is streamlined and relatively quick compared to states with separation requirements. Washington is also a community property state, which affects how assets and debts are divided.
The general definition of No-Fault Divorce
A divorce granted without requiring either spouse to prove wrongdoing by the other.
A no-fault divorce is a divorce where neither spouse has to prove that the other did something wrong, like infidelity or abuse. Instead, one or both spouses simply state that the marriage is irretrievably broken or that they have irreconcilable differences. This is the most common type of divorce in the United States today. No-fault divorces are generally faster and less contentious than fault-based divorces because they don't require gathering evidence of misconduct.
Read the full No-Fault Divorce entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Washington.