Legal Separation and Annulment in Washington

Yes. A spouse can ask the court for a decree of legal separation instead of a divorce, and the court can divide property, set maintenance and enter a parenting plan. No earlier than six months after a legal separation decree is entered, the court must convert it to a divorce on the motion of either spouse.

Washington calls annulment a declaration of invalidity. The court can declare a marriage invalid if it should not have been entered because of a party's age, lack of required parental or court approval, a prior undissolved marriage or domestic partnership, close blood relationship, lack of capacity to consent (mental incapacity or the influence of alcohol or other substances), force or duress, or fraud involving the essentials of marriage, if the parties have not ratified the marriage by voluntarily living together after the problem ended. At least one party must be a Washington resident or service member stationed in Washington, and both parties must be living.