WASHINGTON DIVORCE ONLINE
Common-Law Marriages in Washington
Washington does not officially recognize new common-law marriages. Unlike some other states, you cannot acquire marital rights in Washington simply by living together for a certain period or holding yourselves out as married.
Committed Intimate Relationships
Although common-law marriage is not recognized, Washington courts may grant certain protections to couples in “committed intimate relationships” (sometimes called “meretricious relationships”). A committed intimate relationship is a stable, marriage-like partnership in which two people live together, share finances or property, and function similarly to a married couple—without being formally married.
When such a relationship ends, Washington courts may:
- Divide property acquired during the committed relationship.
- Consider the contributions (financial and otherwise) each partner made to acquire assets or build wealth.
Recognizing Common-Law Marriages from Other States
If you established a valid common-law marriage in a state that does recognize it, Washington may honor that marriage if it meets all the legal requirements of the originating state. This can impact issues like property rights, inheritance, and spousal maintenance should you move to Washington.
Why This Matters
Understanding the distinction between a committed intimate relationship and a legal marriage can have significant implications for asset division, estate planning, and other financial matters. If you believe you’re in a relationship that may qualify for protections under Washington law, consider consulting with a qualified family law attorney to clarify your rights and obligations.
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In an agreed divorce, the spouses can file their divorce in any County in Washington. The Circuit Court in Lee County, Washington, allows you to complete your agreed divorce without a court appearance. As such, to offer a genuinely virtual, 100% online divorce, we prepare divorce documents for filing in Lee County Circuit Court. There may be other counties where a court appearance is not required, but most counties require a court appearance. Should you wish to file in a county other than Lee County, we can prepare your documents for that county, but we charge $100 extra to draft documents for counties other than Lee. If you wish to file in a county other than Lee County, a court appearance will likely be required to finalize your agreed divorce. We know that some people – even other attorneys – might tell you that at least one of the parties (you or your spouse) must go to court at least once before your divorce can be granted. This is not accurate. We have assisted thousands with their agreed Washington divorce, for which no court appearance was required using the Circuit Court in Lee County, Washington.