Community property
An ownership category addressed in RCW 26.16.030. Use the statutory definition rather than assuming that every asset held during marriage has the same character.
RCW 26.16.030 — Community property defined; management and controlSeparate property
An ownership category addressed in RCW 26.16.010, including premarital property and specified later acquisitions. Applying the category to a particular asset requires more than its label.
RCW 26.16.010 — Separate propertyCommingling
Mixing funds from different sources in an account or asset. The term identifies a records question here; it does not decide the resulting legal ownership.
In re Marriage of Schwarz — published Court of Appeals opinion, No. 32274-2-IIITracing
Following an asset or funds through records to understand their origin and movement. This glossary does not assess whether particular evidence satisfies a legal tracing requirement.
In re Marriage of Schwarz — published Court of Appeals opinion, No. 32274-2-IIIDissolution
The term used in Washington’s divorce statutes for ending a marriage through a court proceeding.
RCW 26.09.030 — Petition for dissolution; court proceedingsPetitioner
The party who begins the proceeding by filing a petition. See the labels used in the official divorce forms.
Washington Courts — Divorce formsRespondent
The other party named in the petition, who may file a response. See the official forms and their instructions.
Washington Courts — Divorce formsTemporary orders
Court orders addressing matters while a proceeding is pending. RCW 26.09.060 is a starting source; the actual order controls what it directs.
RCW 26.09.060 — Temporary orders and preliminary injunctionsMaintenance
Support for a spouse or domestic partner addressed in RCW 26.09.090. The statute supplies factors, not a personalized result in this glossary.
RCW 26.09.090 — Maintenance orders; factorsParenting plan
A plan covering parenting arrangements. RCW 26.09.184 addresses permanent plans, including decision-making, dispute resolution, and residential provisions.
RCW 26.09.184 — Permanent parenting planResidential schedule
The part of a parenting plan describing where children reside at specified times. Consult the plan and governing sources rather than assuming a standard schedule.
RCW 26.09.184 — Permanent parenting planChild support
Financial support for children. Chapter 26.19 RCW contains Washington’s child support schedule framework.
Chapter 26.19 RCW — Child support scheduleMediation
A process in which a neutral person helps participants work toward agreement. Ask about the mediator’s role and obtain independent advice about proposed terms.
Washington Courts — Family Law Handbook, Marriage EditionDiscovery
Court-governed methods for obtaining information in litigation. Washington Superior Court Civil Rule 26 addresses general discovery provisions.
Washington Superior Court Civil Rule 26 — DiscoveryQDRO
Qualified domestic relations order. IRS Publication 504 explains this term in connection with retirement-plan benefits; plan and legal requirements need professional review.
IRS Publication 504 — Divorced or Separated IndividualsRSU
Restricted stock unit, a form of compensation tied to stock. Read the award agreement for its conditions; the abbreviation does not establish divorce or tax treatment.
IRS Publication 525 — Taxable and Nontaxable IncomeStock option
A right to buy stock under stated terms. IRS Topic 427 discusses employee stock options; individual grant terms and tax categories matter.
IRS Topic 427 — Stock optionsVesting
Meeting conditions for rights in an award or benefit. Record vesting separately from delivery, exercise, withholding, and sale.
IRS Publication 525 — Taxable and Nontaxable IncomeRestraining order
An order restricting specified conduct. Read the actual order and obtain help understanding it; different order types have different rules.
RCW 26.09.060 — Temporary orders and preliminary injunctionsDecree
A court judgment. The official divorce forms include a final divorce order, also called a dissolution decree.
Washington Courts — Divorce formsEducational information, not individual legal advice. Read our disclaimer.