Legal Question in Family Law in Washington
Divorce
What attempts to locate an individual who's whereabouts are unknown for several years prioir to filing for a divorce. In other words, my friend wants to file for dovorce and currently has no kowledge of the location of his wife.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Divorce
The petitioner may serve by publication, if after a diligent search the location of the respondent can not be found. I'd recommend one of the search services that you have to pay for. They go deeper, and the fee is generally less than $30.00. If no current address comes up, your friend will then want to do a motion to serve by publication (or if a distant address, motion for service by mail may be approved), the motion can be presented and approved in ex parte on the same day as the petition and summons are filed.