Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

certified mail

Can I legally open my spouses certified letter? We are in the process of divorce.


Asked on 9/15/07, 6:47 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Christopher Steuart IT Forensics, Inc.

Re: certified mail

This is a matter controlled by federal law. The controlling statute would appear to be: 18 ยง 1702 Obstruction of correspondence.

"Whoever takes any letter . . . before it has been delivered to the person to whom it was directed, with design to obstruct the correspondence, or to pry into the business or secrets of another, or opens, secretes, embezzles, or destroys the same, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both."

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Answered on 9/15/07, 8:07 pm
Elizabeth Powell ELizabeth Powell PS Inc

Re: certified mail

What a bad idea! Can you just forward it to them? Elizabeth Powell

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Answered on 9/18/07, 1:07 pm


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