Washington Family Law Flashcards

Under Washington's community property system, which of the following best describes the 'transmutation' of property?

Answer: Converting community property to separate property or vice versa by written agreement or gift

Transmutation in Washington occurs when spouses voluntarily change the character of property from separate to community or vice versa through an express agreement or clear intent.

Under Washington's dissolution law, what is a 'decree of legal separation' as distinct from dissolution?

Answer: It does not end the marriage but allows separate property division and support orders

A Washington legal separation under RCW 26.09.030 divides property and establishes support obligations but does not terminate the marital status, leaving the parties still legally married.

Washington's Relocation Act (RCW 26.09.405) requires a parent with primary custody who intends to relocate with a child to provide how many days' advance notice?

Answer: 60 days

Under RCW 26.09.440, a relocating parent must provide at least 60 days' written notice to the other parent and to the court before the intended relocation date.

Under Washington law, child support generally terminates at what age absent special circumstances?

Answer: High school graduation or 18, whichever is later

Washington child support terminates when the child reaches 18 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later, but not past age 19.

In Washington, a prenuptial agreement is enforceable under the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act (RCW 26.16.220) unless:

Answer: A party proves it was involuntary or unconscionable when executed without adequate disclosure

Washington enforces prenuptial agreements unless a party shows the agreement was not voluntary or was unconscionable at execution due to lack of adequate financial disclosure.

Under Washington's adoption statute (RCW 26.33), termination of a biological parent's rights before adoption may occur by:

Answer: Voluntary relinquishment or court-ordered termination based on abandonment, neglect, or abuse

Washington allows termination of parental rights either by voluntary relinquishment or by court petition showing abandonment, neglect, abuse, or inability to care for the child.