How to understand a law

This how to understand a law guide has been developed to help you understand family law in Washington State. While getting married or getting divorced may be very personal to individuals, there are laws that govern marriage and divorce. The Legislature directed the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts to create this handbook guide for distribution to individuals getting a marriage license and needing to understand a law like family law.

And to those who are seeking a dissolution of marriage (divorce) or responding to a divorce action. The handbook may help you understand the rights and responsibilities spouses have to each other and any children during and after marriage.

Throughout this handbook, you will find answers to questions often asked about marriage,
divorce, moving with children, paternity, court orders, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect,
as well as the effects of divorce on children. While this publication is not designed to give legal
advice, it will provide general information about the marriage contract, marital laws, and laws
about divorce in Washington State.

It is always a good idea to consult with an attorney about
your rights and responsibilities regarding any legal issue, including marriage and divorce and how to understand a law like family law.
The laws that govern marriage are found in Chapter 26.09 of the Revised Code of Washington.
You can find a copy of those laws at the Washington Legislature’s Web site at www.leg.wa.gov
Under Washington law, marriage is a civil contract between a woman and a man.

If the man and
the woman meet certain requirements about age, marital status, consanguinity (whether and how
closely two people are related) and competency, they may marry. Individuals who want to marry
must obtain a marriage license from the county auditor. Only qualified individuals may solemnize
a marriage as they know how to understand a law. The law also governs marriages that do not meet the legal requirements and that are
not valid at all (void) and marriages that may be voidable. If you have any doubts about meeting
legal requirements for getting married in Washington, you should consult an attorney.

The fact that a person is married can affect many aspects of life, such as insurance coverage,
income tax status, property ownership, responsibility for debt, inheritance, and rights about that
person’s children. When you get married, you may need to make changes to insurance policies,
your will, financial accounts, benefits (like Social Security) or other arrangements you have
regarding your living situation, business, or finances.

Sometimes changes to such arrangements
become effective just by getting married or divorced. You should make sure you know if you
need to inform your bank, government agencies, landlord, employer or others about your
marriage so that they can make any necessary changes to agreements or records. Sometimes
the wife, husband, or both spouses choose to change their last name. This is a social or cultural
custom, not a legal requirement.

If a name change is made, however, you should be aware that
you may need to provide proof of your marriage for financial institutions or government agencies
to change their records.

If you or your fiancé have children from a previous relationship, or own a business or other
property, or have debt, or have unresolved legal responsibilities, getting legal advice can be very
important. An attorney experienced in family law will give you important information about your
rights and responsibilities and how to understand a law like family law.