The Short Answer: Washington’s 90‑Day Rule
Washington law says a court may not enter a final divorce decree until both 90 days have passed since (1) filing the petition and (2) serving the other spouse.
Think of the 90 days as a cooling‑off period – the absolute minimum. In real life, even the simplest Spokane County case can run 4-6 months because you still need a hearing date on the busy Family Law docket.
Average Timeline at a Glance
| Stages | Uncontested | Contested |
| Petition & Service | Day 0 – 14 | Day 0 – 20 |
| Mandatory 90-Day Wait | Day 1 – 90 | Day 1 – 90 |
| Temporary Orders (optional) | Week 2 | Week 2 |
| Discovery & Negotiation | Weeks 3 – 12 | Months 2 – 8 |
| Mediation or Settlement Conference | Optional – Week 12 | Month 9 |
| Trial | N/A | Months 10 – 18 |
| Final Orders Filed | Day 91 | Months 10 – 18+ |
Step‑by‑Step Spokane Divorce Timeline
File & Serve the Petition (Day 0)
Basic court-approved forms are available online and paper copies can be found at the courthouse. Filing fee: $314 (fee‑waiver form available).
Mandatory Waiting Period (Day 1‑90)
No shortcuts – temporary orders and mediation can happen during the wait, but the judge can’t sign the decree until Day 91.
Temporary Orders & Parenting Plans (Week 2)
Either spouse can ask for temporary orders covering custody, support, and use of the family home or other property. Hearings can be scheduled on the Tuesday‑to‑Friday Family Law Motion Docket before the assigned Family Law Commissioner, at a minimum of 14 days out from their designated motion day.
Discovery & Settlement (Weeks 3‑12)
Exchange financial documents, complete mandatory parenting classes if children are involved. Discovery can still be beneficial to both parties, even if matters are uncontested, as they help to provide full transparency. If children are involved, completion of mandatory parenting classes is still required and certificates of completion must be filed with the court.
Mediation or Settlement Conference (≈ Month 3)
If a Joinder to the Petition for Divorce has not been signed by the responding spouse, or final orders cannot be agreed to, all parties must then attend mediation prior to trial. Schedule mediation with a reputable and qualified Family Law mediator. Most courts provide lists of approved mediators through their websites. If a resolution is reached during mediation, a document known as a CR2A Agreement may be drafted by the mediator, which outlines all agreements made and can be used to draft final orders.
Trial Setting (Month 6 +)
Contested cases move to a trial calendar. Current backlogs may prolong cases for up to 12 months out for trials; sometimes it can be longer, if trial is continued by motion of the court. Cases with children and/or parenting disputes may take priority over cases without children. After a Petition and Response to Petition have been filed, the court will issue a Domestic Case Scheduling Order that outlines critical due dates leading up to trial. If your trial is continued, an Amended DCSO will be issued, likely updating these deadlines accordingly to match the new trial date.
Entry of Final Decree/Post-Trial
If your spouse has signed a Joinder or signed agreed final orders, you can enter these in Ex Parte without a formal hearing or trial as early as Day 91. If your case is contested and does not settle in mediation, you will proceed to trial and wait for the Court’s ruling. This ruling will be incorporated into final orders that end your divorce.
What Slows a Case Down?
Real‑estate or business valuations. Appraisals can add up to 30-60 days, asset tracing can take longer.
High‑conflict parenting disputes. GAL investigations, psychological evaluations.
Court calendar congestion. Holiday weeks and summer may see heavier dockets.
Incomplete paperwork. Signatures missing, outdated forms, or wrong case numbers send you back to square one.
How to Finish Your Spokane Divorce Faster
Serve quickly. Don’t let service eat up the first critical days – get documents served right away if you know your case will be contested. Documents served outside of Washington state allows 60 days for the other party to respond, rather than the 20 days for in-state service.
Opt for mediation early. Settlement before Day 90 means you can take orders to Ex Parte the first date after the wait expires.
Go digital. Spokane and numerous other Washington counties accept electronic submissions for many family law filings – skip courthouse lines.
Hire an experienced local attorney. Lawyers who regularly practice in family law know how to expedite matters as quickly as possible and how to address any potential hurdles that may arise.
Local Resources
| Resource | What You’ll Find |
| Spokane County Local Forms | Local Family Law forms for Spokane County, including fee waiver and Family Law mediator list |
| Family‑Law Motion Docket Schedule | Hearing dates & Zoom information |
| Divorce Packets (With or Without Kids) | Free, state-applicable forms for use in divorce matters |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a divorce in less than 90 days in Washington?
No. The 90-day minimum is a state-wide law, not just applicable to Spokane County. You can draft and sign final orders between the parties sooner than that, but a judge cannot sign off until Day 91 at the earliest.
How long does a contested divorce take in Spokane?
Plan on a minimum of 10 to 18 months, with additional time needed for high conflict issues, appraisals, and trial.
Does Washington require legal separation before filing?
No. There is no pre-filing separation period; you may file for dissolution right away.
Will court backlogs delay my divorce?
Possibly. Spokane County is currently processing a high volume of family law cases, which could lead to delays in temporary orders, preliminary hearings, and even trial dates. Some judges’ calendars may be scheduled out as far as the following year for trial dates.
Aside from the general timeline, are there any other deadlines to be aware of?
Yes. Many Washington counties issue a document called “Domestic Case Scheduling Order” once a Petition and formal Response to Petition have been filed by the parties. This document outlines all deadlines leading up to pre-trial and trial.
Is there a difference in average timing between a divorce with children and a divorce without children?
In theory, there should be no difference in procedural timing between a divorce with children and one without. Both matters may require temporary orders and both require mediation. Parenting classes are required in all case types involving children, although this can easily be completed within the 90-day window.
That said, Spokane County may prioritize cases with children for motion dockets and trial settings, over cases without children. This can likely be attributed to extra conflict and need for immediate structure or orders to minimize disruption to the children’s lives.
Ready to move forward?
Schedule a consultation with one of our experienced Family Law attorneys today.
