Washington couples who are undergoing the divorce process are doing so to get a divorce decree. This is the formal judgment or court order that grants the termination of your marriage. A divorce decree is not finalized without a signature from the judge.
What’s included in a divorce decree?
A divorce decree is meant to cover a variety of topics regarding your marriage and your children. This decree helps to solidify the formal arrangements for each topic area. Some of the most common topics in a divorce decree include alimony, division of assets, division of debts, child custody and child support.
Reread the decree before you sign
It’s essential to note that signing a divorce decree makes you legally obligated to perform the actions in the contract. You don’t want to sign the decree until you fully understand it and agree with its terms. It’s best to seek the assistance of a lawyer to help you understand the legal jargon that is included in the document.
Realize that your divorce decree is a finalized document that will stand up in a court of law in the future. If your ex-spouse doesn’t fulfill their obligations according to the divorce decree, then you can take them back to court and use the decree as your evidence. For this reason, it’s vital that you understand exactly what is in it and are capable of upholding your end of the agreement.
Divorce decrees are finalized documents that allow you and your spouse to agree on the terms of your divorce. From child support to alimony, there are a lot of topics covered in a divorce decree. This is one document that you want to take your time with and get the help of a legal professional.