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Final Divorce Order

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Final Divorce / Legal Separation / Valid / Invalid Marriage Order

Superior Court of Washington, County of

In re the marriage of:

Petitioner (person who started this case):

And Respondent (other spouse):

No.

Final Divorce Order (Dissolution Decree) (DCD)

Final Legal Separation Order (DCLGSP)

Invalid Marriage Order (Annulment Decree) (DCINMG)

Valid Marriage Order (DCVMO)

Clerk’s action required: 1, 2, 6, 13, 14, 16

Final Divorce Order Legal Separation Order Invalid Marriage Order Valid Marriage Order

1. Money Judgment Summary

No money judgment is ordered.

Summarize any money judgments from sections 6 or 14 in the table below.

Judgment for Debtor’s name
(person who must pay money)		 Creditor’s name
(person who must be paid)		 Amount Interest
Money Judgment (section 6)
Fees and Costs (section 14)
Other amounts (describe):

Yearly Interest Rate: % (12% unless otherwise listed)

Lawyer (name): represents (name):

Lawyer (name): represents (name):

2. Summary of Real Property Judgment (land or home)

No real property judgment is ordered

Summarize any real property judgment from section 7 in the table below.

Grantor’s name
(person giving property)		 Grantee’s name
(person getting property)		 Assessor’s property tax parcel or account number Legal description of property awarded

Lawyer (name): represents (name):

Lawyer (name): represents (name):

The court has made Findings and Conclusions in this case and now Orders:

3. Marriage

This marriage is dissolved. The Petitioner and Respondent are divorced.

The Petitioner and Respondent are granted a Legal Separation.

This marriage is invalid (annulled).

This marriage is valid (not annulled).

4. Name Changes

Neither spouse asked to change his/her name.

The Petitioner’s name is changed to (new name):

The Respondent’s name is changed to (new name):

5. Separation Contract

There is no enforceable separation contract.

The spouses must comply with the terms of the separation contract signed on (date):

attached as an Exhibit and made part of this Order.

not filed with the court and is incorporated by reference. (RCW 26.09.070(5))

filed with the court as a separate document and is incorporated by reference.

6. Money Judgment (summarized in section 1 above)

None.

The (check one): Petitioner Respondent must pay the other party (amount) $ . The court grants a judgment for this amount.

The interest rate is 12% unless another amount is listed below.

The interest rate is % because (explain):

Other:

7. Real Property (land or home) (summarized in section 2 above)

Neither spouse owns any real property.

The real property is divided according to the separation contract described in 5 above.

The real property is divided as listed in Exhibit . This Exhibit is attached and made part of this Order.

The real property is divided as explained below:

Real Property Address Tax Parcel Number Given to which spouse as his/her separate property?
Petitioner Respondent
Petitioner Respondent
Petitioner Respondent

The spouse giving up ownership must sign a Quit Claim Deed and Real Estate Excise Tax Affidavit to transfer the real property to the other spouse by (date):

The court does not have jurisdiction to divide real property.

Other (specify):

8. Petitioner’s Personal Property (possessions, assets or business interests of any kind)

The personal property that Petitioner now has or controls is given to Petitioner as his/her separate property. No transfer of property between Petitioner and Respondent is required.

The personal property listed as Petitioner’s in the separation contract described in 5 above is given to Petitioner as his/her separate property.

The personal property listed in Exhibit is given to Petitioner as his/her separate property. This Exhibit is attached and made part of this Order.

The personal property listed below is given to Petitioner as his/her separate property.

(Include vehicles, pensions/retirement, insurance, bank accounts, furniture, businesses, etc. Do not list more than the last four digits of any account number. For vehicles, list year, make, model and VIN or license plate number.)

1. 5.
2. 6.
3. 7.
4. 8.

The court does not have jurisdiction to divide personal property.

Other (specify):

9. Respondent’s Personal Property (possessions, assets or business interests of any kind)

The personal property that Respondent now has or controls is given to Respondent as his/her separate property. No transfer of property between Petitioner and Respondent is required.

The personal property listed as Respondent’s in the separation contract described in 5 above is given to Respondent as his/her separate property.

The personal property listed in Exhibit is given to Respondent as his/her separate property. This Exhibit is attached and made part of this Order.

The personal property listed below is given to Respondent as his/her separate property.

(Include vehicles, pensions/retirement, insurance, bank accounts, furniture, businesses, etc. Do not list more than the last four digits of any account number. For vehicles, list year, make, model and VIN or license plate number.)

1. 5.
2. 6.
3. 7.
4. 8.

The court does not have jurisdiction to divide personal property.

Other (specify):

10. Petitioner’s Debt

The Petitioner must pay all debts s/he has incurred (made) since the date of separation, unless the court makes a different order about a specific debt below. (Check one):

The Petitioner has no debt.

The Petitioner must pay the debts that are now in his/her name.

The Petitioner must pay debts as required by the separation contract described in 5 above.

The Petitioner must pay the debts listed in Exhibit . This Exhibit is attached and made part of this Order.

The Petitioner must pay all debts listed below:

Debt Amount Creditor (person or company owed this debt) account number (last 4 digits only)

The court does not have jurisdiction to divide debts.

Other (specify):

11. Respondent’s Debt

The Respondent must pay all debts s/he has incurred (taken on) since the date of separation, unless the court makes a different order about a specific debt below. (Check one):

The Respondent has no debt.

The Respondent must pay the debts that are now in his/her name.

The Respondent must pay debts as required by the separation contract described in 5 above.

The Respondent must pay the debts listed in Exhibit . This Exhibit is attached and made part of this Order.

The Respondent must pay all debts listed below:

Debt Amount Creditor (person or company owed this debt) account number (last 4 digits only)

The court does not have jurisdiction to divide debts.

Other (specify):

12. Debt Collection (hold harmless)

Does not apply.

If one spouse fails to pay a debt as ordered above and the creditor tries to collect the debt from the other spouse, the spouse who was ordered to pay the debt must hold the other spouse harmless from any collection action about the debt. This includes reimbursing the other spouse for any of the debt he/she paid and for attorney fees or costs related to defending against the collection action.

Other (specify):

13. Spousal Support (maintenance/alimony)

No spousal support is ordered.

Spousal support must be paid as required by the separation contract described in 5 above.

Spousal support must be paid as described in Exhibit . This Exhibit is attached and made part of this Order.

The (check one): Petitioner Respondent must pay spousal support as follows:

Amount: $ each month

Start date:

Payment schedule:

Termination: Spousal support will end when either spouse dies, or the spouse receiving support gets married or registers a new domestic partnership unless a different date or event is provided below:

Date:

Other (specify):

Make all payments to (check one):

the other spouse directly by (check one):

mail to:

City State Zip

direct deposit/transfer to a bank account identified by the receiving party.

the Washington State Support Registry.

the court clerk, who will forward the support to the other spouse.

Other (specify):

The spouse paying support has public (state) retirement benefits. (RCW 26.09.138)

The spouse owed support may ask, without giving notice, for the other spouse’s retirement benefits to be assigned to him/her if:

• $100 or more in spousal support is more than 15 days late, or

• The other spouse asks to take money out of his/her public retirement account. (RCW 41.50)

14. Fees and Costs (Summarize any money judgment in section 1 above.)

Each spouse will pay his/her own fees and costs.

Fees and costs must be paid as required by the separation contract described in 5 above.

The court orders a money judgment for fees and costs as follows:

Judgment for Debtor’s name
(person who must pay money)		 Creditor’s name
(person who must be paid)		 Amount Interest
lawyer fees
guardian ad litem (GAL) fees
court costs
other fees and expenses (specify):

The interest rate is 12% unless another amount is listed below.

The interest rate is % because (explain):

Other:

15. Protection Order

No one requested an Order for Protection.

Approved – The request for an Order for Protection is approved. The Order for Protection is filed separately.

Denied – The request for an Order for Protection is denied. The Denial Order is filed separately.

Renewed/Changed – The existing Order for Protection filed in or combined with this case is renewed or changed as described in following order, filed separately (check one):

Order on Renewal of Order for Protection

Order Modifying/Terminating Order for Protection

Other:

16. Restraining Order

No one requested a Restraining Order.

Approved – The request for a Restraining Order is approved. The Restraining Order is filed separately.

Denied – The request for a Restraining Order is denied.

Check this box if the court previously signed a temporary Restraining Order and is not signing a final Restraining Order in this case. Also check the “Clerk’s action required” box in the caption on page 1.

Name of law enforcement agency where the Protected Person lived when the Restraining Order was issued:

17. Children of the marriage

The spouses have no children together who are still dependent.

This court has jurisdiction over the children the spouses have together as explained in the Findings and Conclusions for this case.

If there are children of both spouses listed in the Findings and Conclusions who do not have both spouses listed on their birth certificates, the State Registrar of Vital Statistics is ordered to amend the children’s birth certificates to list both spouses as parents upon receipt of a certified copy of this order and the Findings and Conclusions.

Note – The court does not forward this order to Vital Statistics. To amend the birth certificate, a party must provide a certified copy of this order and the Findings and Conclusions and pay a filing fee to the State Registrar of Vital Statistics (360-236-4347). You may order a copy of the amended birth certificate for an additional fee.

This court does not have jurisdiction over the children as explained in the Findings and Conclusions for this case.

18. Parenting Plan

Does not apply. The spouses have no dependent children together, or the court does not have jurisdiction over the children.

The court signed the final Parenting Plan filed separately today or on (date):

The guardian ad litem (GAL) is discharged.

19. Child Support

Does not apply. The spouses have no dependent children together, or the court does not have jurisdiction over child support.

Court Order – The court signed the final Child Support Order and Worksheets filed separately today or on (date):

Tax exemptions and post-secondary (college or vocational school) support are covered in the Child Support Order.

Administrative Order – The court is not issuing a child support order. There is an administrative child support order established by DSHS Division of Child Support (DCS) for the dependent children of this marriage.

DCS child support orders do not cover tax exemptions or post-secondary (college or vocational school) support. Therefore, the court orders:

Tax Exemptions – The parties have the right to claim the children as their dependents on their tax forms as follows (describe):

For tax years when a non-custodial parent has the right to claim the children, the parents must cooperate to fill out and submit IRS Form 8332 in a timely manner.

Warning! Under federal law, the parent who claims a child as a dependent may owe a tax penalty if the child is not covered by health insurance.

Post-secondary (college or vocational school) – The court orders:

A parent may ask the court for post-secondary support at a later date, but he/she must file that request before the duty to pay child support ends.

The parents must pay for the children’s post-secondary support. The parents will make a post-secondary support plan or the court will order one.

Post-secondary support is not required.

Other (specify):

20. Other Orders (if any):

Ordered.

Date

Judge or Commissioner

Petitioner and Respondent or their lawyers fill out below.

This document (check any that apply):

is an agreement of the parties

is presented by me

may be signed by the court without notice to me

Petitioner signs here or lawyer signs here + WSBA #

Print Name Date

This document (check any that apply):

is an agreement of the parties

is presented by me

may be signed by the court without notice to me

Respondent signs here or lawyer signs here + WSBA #

Print Name Date

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What a Final Divorce Order Is and why it matters

A Final Divorce Order is the court-issued document that legally ends a marriage and sets the terms for property division, spousal support, child custody and child support, and related obligations. It is typically prepared after parties reach a settlement or a court issues findings following a trial, and it becomes enforceable once the judge signs and the clerk enters it into the record. The Final Divorce Order often replaces provisional orders and is the baseline for future enforcement, modification, or contempt proceedings.

Why an accurate Final Divorce Order matters

A clear, complete Final Divorce Order prevents disputes and ensures enforceable rights and obligations.

Why an accurate Final Divorce Order matters

Who prepares, reviews, and relies on the Final Divorce Order

Typical users include parties, family law attorneys, mediators, and court clerks who process and enforce orders.

  • Divorcing parties and their counsel who negotiate terms and submit proposed orders for court signature.
  • Family law judges and magistrates who review proposed language and sign the final order to make it binding.
  • Court clerks and enforcement officers who enter the order, issue certified copies, and manage related filings.

Accurate completion helps all these users enforce rights, collect support, transfer titles, and satisfy third-party requirements.

Step-by-step: Completing a Final Divorce Order

Follow these core steps to prepare and submit a compliant Final Divorce Order.

  • 01
    Gather records: Collect financial disclosures, asset lists, and custody proposals.
  • 02
    Draft terms: Set property, support, and custody provisions in plain, enforceable language.
  • 03
    Review: Have each party and counsel confirm accuracy before filing.
  • 04
    File and serve: Submit to the court, obtain judge signature, and serve certified copies.

Core components to include in a professional Final Divorce Order

A complete Final Divorce Order organizes legal findings and practical instructions to minimize future disputes and enable enforcement.

Caption and Case Data

Court caption, case number, names of parties, and the presiding judge. This header anchors the order to the court record and ensures clerks and third parties can match the order to the correct case.

Recitals and Findings

Brief factual background and court findings of jurisdiction, date of marriage, and grounds for divorce. Clear findings support enforcement and appellate review where necessary.

Property Division

Specific allocation of real estate, bank accounts, retirement plans, and personal property with transfer mechanics and timelines. Include deed instructions or account transfer steps when needed.

Child Custody and Support

Detailed parenting time schedule, decision-making authority, and child support calculation method with payment instructions and withholding directives if applicable.

Spousal Support

Amount, duration, modification triggers, and tax allocation for alimony; include termination events and enforcement remedies.

Enforcement and Modifications

State the process for enforcing obligations, contempt penalties, and the standard for post-judgment modifications including jurisdictional or residency requirements.

Security, privacy, and compliance essentials

Encryption: AES-256 at rest; TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit
Audit Trail: Captures timestamps, IP, and signer actions
HIPAA Considerations: Use BAA when attaching health records
ESIGN/UETA Compliance: Meets intent, consent, attribution, retention
Access Controls: Role-based access and SSO options
Retention Protection: Immutable copies with version history

Consequences of an incorrect or incomplete Final Divorce Order

Unenforceable Terms: Court may decline to enforce vague provisions
Contempt Risk: Noncompliance can trigger contempt sanctions
Tax Exposure: Incorrect alimony labeling affects tax treatment
Support Arrears: Missed payments create liens and collection costs
Title Transfer Delays: Incomplete deed instructions impede property sale
Re-filing Costs: Amendments or appeals increase legal fees

Common pitfalls to avoid

  • Using vague terms like 'equitable division' without specifics often causes later litigation over asset allocation and valuation.
  • Failing to attach or reference financial exhibits leaves payment obligations and valuations ambiguous and hard to enforce.
  • Overlooking retirement-plan transfer language can prevent QDROs or create tax liabilities when accounts are moved.
  • Not confirming effective dates and payment start dates leads to disputes about arrears and enforcement timing.

How the Final Divorce Order moves through court processing

A proposed order follows a predictable path from drafting to court entry and distribution.

  • Submit Proposed Order: File the proposed order with the court clerk for judicial review.
  • Judicial Review: Judge reviews terms for fairness and legal sufficiency.
  • Signature and Entry: Judge signs; clerk enters the order into the court record.
  • Serve and Certify: Serve certified copies to parties and relevant third parties.

Configuring an online workflow for the Final Divorce Order

Key settings streamline preparation, signature collection, and court-ready export for filing.

Field Configuration
Template Name Use state-specific templates to match local court captioning rules
Required Fields Mark case number, party names, and judge signature as mandatory
Signer Authentication Enable email plus SMS code or advanced authentication where required
Notarization Option Include RON or in-person notarization settings if needed

How a Final Divorce Order compares with similar court documents

Compare common document types so you use the correct form and routing for finality and enforcement.

Criteria Final Divorce Order Judgment of Divorce
Legal Effect court order court decree
Court Filing Required
Typical Contents support/custody/property broad finality language
Modification Process post-judgment petition appeal or post-judgment

eSignature vendor pricing and capabilities relevant to Final Divorce Order workflows

Vendor pricing and capabilities vary; signNow is listed first for direct feature comparisons when preparing and executing court-ready orders.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Key timing considerations for entry and post-judgment actions

Be aware of entry, appeal, and modification windows that affect enforcement and relief options.

Order Entry Date:

Order becomes effective when signed and entered by the clerk

Appeal Period:

Typical appeal deadlines begin on entry and commonly range around 30 days, but vary by state

Support Withholding Start:

Specify start date for support to avoid arrears disputes

Modification Filings:

Post-judgment modification subject to residency and material change rules

Certified Copies:

Request certified copies promptly for title transfers and third-party compliance

Practical tips for preparing a reliable Final Divorce Order

Follow these best practices to reduce mistakes and ensure the order is court-ready and enforceable.

Use precise descriptions
Describe assets, incomes, and obligations with specificity—include account numbers, parcel IDs, and valuation dates so implementation and enforcement are straightforward.
Attach supporting exhibits
Attach financial affidavits, parenting plans, and QDRO templates as exhibits so the order references concrete documents rather than vague obligations.
Confirm signatures and dates
Ensure every signature line includes printed name, signature, and date; mismatches between signer names and IDs can delay court acceptance or enforcement.
Plan enforcement steps
Include remedies for nonpayment, wage withholding instructions, and contempt language to make enforcement efficient and legally grounded.

Key milestones from proposed order to enforcement

Sequence the main stages so parties and counsel track progress and deadlines.

01

Draft and Review

Prepare proposed order and obtain attorney and party approvals before filing.

02

File with Court

Submit the proposed order to the clerk and schedule signature or hearing as required.

03

Judicial Signature

Judge signs the order after review or hearing, then clerk enters it into the record.

04

Serve and Implement

Serve certified copies, implement support and transfer steps, and monitor compliance.

Frequently asked questions about Final Divorce Orders

Answers to common questions about execution, filing, modification, and electronic workflows for Final Divorce Orders.


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