How to File for Divorce if You Haven't Seen Your Spouse for Years
My question involves a divorce in the state of: Washington
I've been living separately from my spouse for almost 3 years now. I know I should have applied for divorce earlier... But well...
I'm going to move to Washington soon. As far as I understand, I'll be able to apply for divorce in Washington, even though my still-wife has never lived there (she lives outside the U.S.).
I don't know a lot about her life. There are some questions in the divorce application that I simply don't know answers to. I can't ask her, unfortunately.
-- Is one of the spouses pregnant? -- I'm not aware of that... She wasn't pregnant 3 years ago when we broke up...
-- Children from other relationships -- neither of us had any children as of the separation date. But, once again, it's been 3 years...
-- Real Property -- I'm not sure if she owns anything. Even if she does, it's unlikely she has something in the U.S. Also, the court in Washington doesn't have personal jurisdiction over the respondent. I'm not interested in dividing any properties, just want a divorce.
How should I answer those questions?
Just want to be sure that it's safe to declare "under penalty of perjury under the laws of the state of Washington that the facts I have provided on this form are true"
Thanks!
Re: How to File for Divorce if You Haven't Seen Your Spouse for Years
You will make a good faith effort to locate and serve your spouse. If that does not succeed, you will document your efforts to the court and ask the court to allow you to serve your spouse through substituted service -- e.g., service at a last known address, public postings, published notices, or some combination thereof, that the court believes is reasonably likely to result in notice to your spouse.
You will answer questions based upon your good faith understanding of the facts.