Divorce Absent Spouse Guide

Summary

To divorce an absent spouse in Washington, file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, search diligently for your spouse, request a court order for service by publication, publish the notice in a legal newspaper, and file proof of publication with the court. Consult a legal professional for detailed assistance.

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My spouse left me 10 years ago and I don’t know what state they live in now. How to I divorce them?
Hello ****, it's possible to divorce an absent spouse, typically through a process called "divorce by publication". However, the laws can vary depending on your location. Could you please let me know where you are currently residing?
Washington
In Washington, you can file for a divorce by publication if you can't locate your spouse:
- File a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage.
- Search diligently for your spouse.
- Request a court order for service by publication.
- Publish the notice in a legal newspaper.
- File proof of publication with the court.
Please consult a legal professional for detailed assistance.