SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 6143

                            AS OF FEBRUARY 4, 1992

Brief Description:  Requiring creditors to seek payment for a community solely from the person deemed responsible by court order.

SPONSORS: Senator McCaslin

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Staff:  Jack Brummel (786‑7428)

Hearing Dates: February 5, 1992

BACKGROUND:

Washington law currently allows debts to remain community property after dissolution of a marriage, despite a judicial order assigning the debts to one party.  The Washington Supreme Court has stated that in a divorce action, the court cannot adjudicate the rights of creditors who are not parties to the action.

SUMMARY:

After divorce, satisfaction of a debt contracted by the marital community may be obtained only from the individual to whom responsibility for the debt was assigned by the court's final order at the time of dissolution.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested