Filing Requirements and Court Procedures
The divorce complaint may be filed in the county of residence of either spouse. We will file a complaint for divorce on your behalf in any of the counties within our service area; however, if your spouse contests the divorce and requests a change of venue to a county outside of our area, then we may have to withdraw from the representation. In that case, we would consent to the transfer of venue, and you would need to hire an attorney in that county.
The party who files for divorce is responsible for filing the necessary paperwork with the clerk’s office, paying the courts costs ($167 in filing fees), and scheduling the court hearing. Procedures vary by county, and an Everett Law Firm attorney can assist you with the requirements for each county in our service area. After filing the divorce complaint, you must serve your spouse with process, which can be accomplished either by taking a copy of the complaint and two copies of the summons to the county Sheriff’s Department and paying the $15 service of process fee, or by sending one copy of the complaint and summons to your spouse by certified mail, with a return receipt requested. Your spouse has thirty (30) days after receiving the complaint and summons to respond to the divorce complaint by filing an answer objecting to the divorce. If he or she does not object, you can proceed with your uncontested divorce.