How to File for Divorce Without a Lawyer in Tacoma, WA

You're sitting in your car in the Safeway parking lot on 6th Avenue at midnight, googling "how to file for divorce myself." Let me save you three hours: yes, you can do it yourself in Tacoma. It costs $332-$432 total. Takes 3-5 months. And if you mess it up, you can fix it or hire a lawyer later.

Here's exactly how to file for divorce yourself in Pierce County.

Can You Actually DIY Your Tacoma Divorce?

Real talk: About 35% of people who start a DIY divorce in Pierce County actually finish without hiring a lawyer. The other 65% hit a wall—usually property division, custody details, or a spouse who won't cooperate—and end up hiring help.

DIY works if:

• You and your spouse agree on everything (custody, house, money, debt)

• You're both willing to do paperwork and follow Washington's rules

• Your situation is relatively simple

DIY doesn't work if:

• Your spouse disagrees on major issues

• You own a business

• You have complex assets (multiple properties, large retirement accounts, stock options)

• There's domestic violence

• Your spouse is hiding money

If you're not sure, start the DIY process. You can always hire a lawyer if you get stuck. You won't waste money—any forms you've completed correctly can be used by your lawyer.

What a DIY Divorce Costs in Tacoma

Pierce County filing fee: $314 One of you pays this to open the divorce case.

Service of process: $18-$100

• Sheriff service: $18 (most common)

• Private process server: $75-$100

• Certified mail: $8 (if your spouse cooperates)

Total DIY cost: $332-$432

That's it. No hidden fees. No lawyer charging $250-$450/hour.

Compare to:

• Divorce.com: $813-$2,313

• Uncontested with lawyer: $2,500-$5,000

• Contested with lawyer: $8,000-$25,000+ per person

If you can DIY it, you save thousands.

Washington's 90-Day Waiting Period

Washington requires a 90-day minimum waiting period from the date you file your Petition until the court can finalize your divorce. This is mandatory—even if you both agree on everything, even if you have no kids or assets.

The earliest you can be divorced is day 91 after filing.

During these 90 days you can:

• Negotiate your Separation Contract

• Draft your Parenting Plan if you have kids

• Divide your property

• Move out if you haven't already

You just can't finalize the divorce until day 91.

Plan on 3-5 months total for a simple DIY divorce:

• 1-2 weeks to prepare paperwork

• 1 week to file

• 1-2 weeks to serve your spouse

• 90 days mandatory waiting

• 1-2 weeks for final paperwork and judge's signature

Step 1: Make Sure You Qualify to Divorce in Washington

You or your spouse must have lived in Washington for at least 90 days before you can file. If you just moved to Tacoma last month, wait until you've been here 90 days.

Pierce County is the right court if you or your spouse currently live in Pierce County. The Pierce County Superior Court is located at 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 110.

Step 2: Gather Your Financial Information

Before you start filling out forms, collect:

Income documents:

• Last 3 months of pay stubs (both spouses)

• Last 2 years of tax returns

• Any other income (rental properties, side businesses, investment income)

Asset information:

• Bank account statements (last 3 months)

• Retirement account statements (401k, IRA, pension)

• House value (check Zillow or recent appraisal)

• Mortgage balance and monthly payment

• Car values and loan balances

• Any other valuable property (boats, jewelry, collectibles)

Debt information:

• Credit card balances

• Student loans

• Car loans

• Personal loans

• Any other debt

You'll need all of this to fill out your financial declaration and divide property fairly.

Step 3: Download the Washington Divorce Forms

Get the official Washington divorce forms from:

• Washington Courts website (www.courts.wa.gov)

• Pierce County Superior Court website

• In person at Pierce County Superior Court (930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 110)

The forms are free. You need:

Required for everyone:

• Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (form WPF DR 01.0100)

• Confidential Information Form (form WPF DR 01.0110)

• Summons (form WPF DR 01.0200)

• Proof of Service (form WPF DR 01.0230) - filled out after service

• Separation Contract (form WPF DR 01.0400) - your settlement agreement

• Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law (form WPF DR 04.0300)

• Decree of Dissolution of Marriage (form WPF DR 04.0400)

If you have kids:

• Parenting Plan (form WPF DR 01.0400)

• Child Support Order (form WPF DR 01.0500)

• Child Support Schedule Worksheets (form WPF DR 01.0520)

If you want a fee waiver:

• Order Waiving Fee (form WPF IN 3010)

• Declaration in Support of Request for Order Waiving Fee (form WPF IN 3012)

The forms come with instructions. Read them carefully.

Step 4: Fill Out Your Petition for Dissolution of Marriage

This is the main form that starts your divorce. You're the "Petitioner" (the one filing). Your spouse is the "Respondent."

What to include:

Basic information:

• Your name, address, and contact info

• Your spouse's name, address, and contact info

• Date and place of marriage

• Date of separation (when you stopped living as married)

• Any previous court cases between you

What you're asking for: Check boxes for what you want:

• Dissolve the marriage

• Approve the Separation Contract you'll file

• Approve the Parenting Plan (if you have kids)

• Order child support (if you have kids)

• Change your name back (if you want)

• Divide property and debts

• Order spousal maintenance (if requested)

Children: List all children from this marriage (names, birth dates). Washington requires children to have lived in Washington for at least 6 months before you can decide custody here.

Property: Briefly describe major assets (house, cars, retirement accounts). You'll detail everything in your Separation Contract.

What you're asking the court to do:

• Grant the divorce

• Approve your agreements (Separation Contract, Parenting Plan)

• Restore maiden name (if requested)

Sign and date it. Don't notarize—Washington doesn't require notarization.

Step 5: Fill Out Your Separation Contract

This is your settlement agreement. It explains how you're dividing everything.

Property division: List every asset and who gets it:

• House: [Address] - valued at $525,000, mortgage $310,000, equity $215,000 - Wife keeps house, refinances in her name within 6 months, pays Husband $107,500 for his half of equity

• 2020 Honda Accord - Wife keeps, continues payments

• 2018 Ford F-150 - Husband keeps, continues payments

• Wife's 401k: $85,000 - Wife keeps

• Husband's 401k: $92,000 - Husband keeps $46,000, Wife receives $46,000 via QDRO

• Joint checking account: $4,200 - split 50/50

• Furniture and household items - divided by mutual agreement

Debt division: List every debt and who pays it:

• Mortgage on [address] - Wife pays (keeps house)

• Car loan on Honda - Wife pays (keeps car)

• Car loan on Ford - Husband pays (keeps car)

• Wife's credit card ($3,200) - Wife pays

• Husband's credit card ($5,800) - Husband pays

Spousal maintenance (alimony): If one spouse will pay the other monthly support, describe:

• Amount: $1,200/month

• Duration: 48 months

• Payment method: Direct deposit by 1st of each month

• Modifiable or non-modifiable

• Tax treatment (discuss with accountant)

If no maintenance: "Neither party shall pay spousal maintenance to the other."

Children (if applicable): State that you've attached a Parenting Plan and Child Support Order covering custody, visitation, and support.

Other agreements:

• How you'll file taxes this year (jointly or separately)

• Who keeps health insurance for kids

• Division of any other assets (timeshares, club memberships, pets)

Be specific. "Wife gets the furniture" is too vague. "Wife gets living room couch, dining table and chairs, master bedroom furniture; Husband gets office desk, guest bedroom furniture, outdoor furniture" is better.

Both of you sign and date the Separation Contract.

Step 6: Create Your Parenting Plan (If You Have Kids)

Washington requires a detailed Parenting Plan if you have kids under 18. This is a 10-15 page document specifying:

Residential schedule: Exactly when the children are with each parent. Not "Mom has primary custody"—specifics like:

• Monday-Wednesday: With Mom

• Thursday-Friday: With Dad

• Alternating weekends: Saturday 9am - Sunday 7pm

• Summer break: Two weeks with each parent

• Holidays: Alternate major holidays, specify pickup/dropoff times

Decision-making: Who makes decisions about:

• Education (schools, tutoring)

• Non-emergency healthcare

• Religious upbringing

• Extracurricular activities

Options: One parent decides, both parents decide together, or split by category.

Dispute resolution: How you'll handle disagreements (mediation before going back to court).

Transportation: Who drives for exchanges. Where exchanges happen (school, home, public location).

Other provisions:

• Right of first refusal (if one parent can't watch the kids, offer the other parent first)

• Communication between parents (phone, email, app)

• Communication between parent and children when with other parent

Use Washington's Parenting Plan form (WPF DR 01.0400). It has detailed sections and instructions.

The court cares most that your plan is detailed and in the children's best interests. If you and your spouse can't agree on a Parenting Plan, DIY won't work—you need mediation or lawyers.

Step 7: Calculate Child Support

Washington has a mandatory child support formula. You can't just agree to "no child support"—the court will reject it unless both parents earn similar amounts and have equal parenting time.

Use Washington's child support calculator (available online at Washington Courts website).

You'll enter:

• Both parents' monthly gross income

• Number of children

• How many overnights per year each parent has

• Health insurance costs for kids

• Daycare costs

The calculator spits out the monthly child support amount. The parent with less parenting time usually pays the other parent.

Fill out the Child Support Order (form WPF DR 01.0500) with the calculated amount. Attach the Child Support Schedule Worksheets showing your calculations.

Step 8: File Your Paperwork With Pierce County Superior Court

Once your forms are complete, file them with the court.

Option 1: File online Washington State has an e-filing system. Create an account, upload your documents, pay the $314 filing fee by card.

Option 2: File in person Go to Pierce County Superior Court (930 Tacoma Avenue South, Room 110, Tacoma). Bring:

• Original Petition for Dissolution of Marriage

• Original Confidential Information Form

• Original Summons

• Copies of everything (for your records)

• $314 filing fee (cash, check, money order, or card)

The clerk will stamp your documents "Filed" and give you a case number.

Fee waiver option: If your household income is below 125% of the federal poverty level (about $39,750/year for a family of four), file a Fee Waiver Packet first. If approved, you won't pay the $314 filing fee.

Step 9: Serve Your Spouse

Washington law requires you to officially notify your spouse that you've filed for divorce. You can't just hand them the papers—someone else must do it.

Option 1: Sheriff service ($18) File a "Request for Service" with Pierce County Sheriff's Office. Give them your spouse's address. They'll deliver the divorce papers within 1-2 weeks. Cost: $18.

Option 2: Private process server ($75-$100) Hire a private process server (search "process server Tacoma"). They'll deliver the papers faster, usually within a few days. Cost: $75-$100.

Option 3: Service by mail (if your spouse cooperates) Mail your spouse a copy of all filed documents via certified mail with return receipt. Include an "Acceptance of Service" form (form WPF DR 01.0235). If your spouse signs it and returns it, that counts as service. Cost: About $8 for certified mail.

Option 3 only works if your spouse is cooperative. Most people use sheriff service ($18)—it's cheap and reliable.

Proof of Service: After your spouse is served, the server fills out a Proof of Service form stating when and how your spouse was served. File this with the court.

Step 10: Wait for Your Spouse to Respond (or Not)

After being served, your spouse has 20 days to file a Response if they disagree with anything in your Petition. Plus 3 days for mail service, so really 23 days.

If your spouse agrees with everything: They can sign an "Acceptance of Service" (waiving their right to respond) or just not file a Response. After 23 days with no Response, you can proceed to finalize the divorce.

If your spouse files a Response: Read it carefully. If they disagree on major issues (custody, property division), you'll need to negotiate. This is where many DIY divorces stall. You might need mediation ($1,500-$4,050 each) or lawyers ($8,000-$25,000+).

If the disagreements are minor, try to work them out directly. Revise your Separation Contract or Parenting Plan based on compromise.

Step 11: Wait 90 Days (Mandatory)

Even if your spouse agrees to everything and doesn't file a Response, you must wait 90 days from the date you filed your Petition before the court can finalize your divorce.

Use this time to:

• Finalize your Separation Contract

• Execute any immediate agreements (move out, open separate bank accounts)

• Prepare your final paperwork

Mark day 91 on your calendar. You can file your final paperwork anytime after that.

Step 12: Prepare Your Final Paperwork

After 90 days, prepare these final documents:

Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law (form WPF DR 04.0300): This document summarizes the facts of your case and the law. It states:

• You meet Washington's residency requirements

• The marriage is irretrievably broken

• You've agreed on property division and child custody

• The Separation Contract and Parenting Plan are fair

• The court should grant the divorce

Decree of Dissolution of Marriage (form WPF DR 04.0400): This is the court's order granting your divorce. It states:

• You are divorced as of [date]

• The Separation Contract is approved and incorporated

• The Parenting Plan is approved (if you have kids)

• Name change is granted (if requested)

• Other provisions as needed

Attach your Separation Contract, Parenting Plan, and Child Support Order to the Decree.

Step 13: Submit Final Paperwork to the Court

File your final documents with Pierce County Superior Court (online or in person). No additional filing fee.

Submit:

• Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law

• Decree of Dissolution of Marriage

• Separation Contract

• Parenting Plan (if applicable)

• Child Support Order (if applicable)

Note about Note for Trial Setting: Pierce County may require you to note your case for "trial"—which in an uncontested case just means the judge reviews your paperwork. Check with the court clerk about local requirements.

Some judges will review and sign your Decree without a hearing if everything looks complete and fair. Others require a brief court appearance (usually 15 minutes) to ask you basic questions and confirm you understand what you're agreeing to.

If a hearing is required, you'll be notified of the date and time. Show up on time, answer the judge's questions honestly, and be respectful.

Step 14: Get Your Signed Decree

Once the judge signs your Decree of Dissolution of Marriage, you're officially divorced.

The court will mail you a certified copy of the Decree (or you can pick it up in person). This is your proof that you're divorced.

Make several copies:

• Keep the original in a safe place

• Give a copy to your ex-spouse

• Send copies to anyone who needs them (HR department to change benefits, bank to divide accounts, etc.)

What Could Go Wrong (And How to Fix It)

Problem: Your spouse won't sign the Acceptance of Service. Solution: Have them served by the sheriff ($18). They don't need to cooperate—service happens whether they like it or not.

Problem: Your spouse files a Response disagreeing with your proposed settlement. Solution: Try to negotiate a compromise. If you can't agree, consider mediation ($1,500-$4,050 each) or hire lawyers.

Problem: You realize you forgot an asset or made a mistake in property division. Solution: Before the Decree is signed, file amended paperwork correcting the error. After the Decree is signed, you may need to file a motion to modify (more complicated).

Problem: Your spouse stops cooperating mid-process. Solution: If they won't agree to the Separation Contract or Parenting Plan, you'll need mediation or lawyers. DIY only works with full cooperation.

Problem: The judge rejects your Separation Contract. Solution: Revise it according to the judge's concerns (usually related to fairness or missing details) and resubmit.

Problem: You're overwhelmed and don't think you can do this. Solution: That's okay. Hire help. Options:

• Divorce.com ($499-$1,999) for form preparation help

• Consulting lawyer ($500-$1,350 for 2-3 hours) to review your paperwork

• Full-service lawyer ($2,500-$5,000) to handle everything

DIY vs. Divorce.com vs. Lawyer: Quick Comparison

DIY ($332-$432):

• You do all the work

• You research Washington law yourself

• Best if: You're comfortable with legal paperwork and your situation is very simple

• Risk: You might make mistakes in property division or custody

Divorce.com ($813-$2,313):

• Online interview generates your forms

• Includes instructions and support

• Best if: You want help with forms but can't afford a lawyer

• Risk: It's still DIY—you file and manage the process yourself

Uncontested lawyer ($2,500-$5,000):

• Lawyer prepares everything and handles filing

• You just show up to sign and answer questions

• Best if: You can afford it and want peace of mind

• Risk: You're paying for convenience on a case that might not need a lawyer

Contested lawyer ($8,000-$25,000+):

• Lawyer negotiates disagreements with your spouse

• Protects your interests in complex property or custody disputes

• Best if: Your spouse disagrees on major issues

• Risk: Costs can spiral if you fight over every detail

Start DIY. If you get stuck, upgrade to help.

Should You DIY Your Tacoma Divorce?

Yes, try DIY if:

• You and your spouse agree on custody, property, and support

• Your situation is straightforward (no business, no major assets to divide)

• You're both willing to cooperate

• You're comfortable reading instructions and filling out forms

• You can afford to spend a few hours researching Washington law

No, hire help if:

• Your spouse disagrees on major issues

• You own a business or have complex assets

• There's a big income difference and you're not sure about spousal maintenance

• You have kids and can't agree on custody

• There's domestic violence or financial abuse

• You're overwhelmed or confused by the process

Most people who DIY successfully in Pierce County have:

• Marriages under 10 years

• No kids or complete agreement on custody

• Minimal assets (renting, or one house with clear equity split)

• Similar incomes

• A cooperative spouse

If that sounds like you, DIY will save you $2,000-$5,000 compared to hiring a lawyer.

The Honest Truth About DIY Divorce in Tacoma

It's doable, but it's not easy. The forms are confusing. Washington's community property rules are complicated. If you own a house or have retirement accounts, figuring out the exact division takes research.

You'll spend 10-20 hours total:

• 3-5 hours gathering financial information

• 4-8 hours filling out forms

• 2-3 hours filing and managing service

• 1-2 hours preparing final paperwork

• 1-2 hours in court (if required)

For most people, those hours are worth it to save $2,000-$5,000 in lawyer fees.

But if you hit a wall—your spouse won't cooperate, you can't figure out how to divide the 401k, you're not sure if you should ask for spousal maintenance—get help. Spending $500-$2,000 on a consulting lawyer or mediator is way cheaper than making a mistake that costs you $20,000 in lost equity or retirement savings.

Final Checklist: Your Tacoma DIY Divorce

□ Confirm you or your spouse has lived in Washington for 90+ days □ Gather all financial documents (pay stubs, bank statements, tax returns, property values, debt balances) □ Download Washington divorce forms from courts.wa.gov □ Fill out Petition for Dissolution of Marriage □ Fill out Separation Contract (divide property and debt) □ Create Parenting Plan and Child Support Order (if you have kids) □ File paperwork with Pierce County Superior Court ($314 filing fee) □ Serve your spouse via sheriff ($18), process server ($75-$100), or mail ($8 if they cooperate) □ Wait for spouse to respond (or not respond) - 23 days □ Wait 90 days from filing date (mandatory) □ Prepare final paperwork (Findings, Decree) □ Submit final paperwork to court □ Attend hearing if required □ Receive signed Decree of Dissolution

You'll get through this. Thousands of people DIY their divorce in Pierce County every year. You can too.

And if you can't, that's fine—hiring help isn't failure. It's just recognizing that some things are worth paying for.