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Information on the Law

Nonparental Custody of a Child: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
This publication gives general information about two methods which may be used under Washington law for a person to have custody of a child not their own. One method is a nonparental custody action filed in court under Ch. 26.10 RCW and the second method, available only in agreed cases, is a Temporary Parental Consent Agreement.
By: Northwest Justice Project

Other Formats:

PDF File

Which Court Has the Right to Enter a Custody Order? Questions and Answers about Jurisdiction This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

These questions and answers describe when a Washington court may decide custody if a child has lived in more than one state, should enforce (follow) custody/visitation orders from other states, or may modify (change) custody/visitation orders from other states.
By: Northwest Justice Project

Do-it-Yourself Packets

Filing a Nonparental Custody Case This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

You may use this packet to file a case in superior court to ask for custody of a child when you are not the child's parent.
By: Northwest Justice Project

Residential Schedules and Child Support for Nonparental Custody Cases This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

Petitioners and Respondents in a nonparental custody action may use this packet if they need to fill out Child Support Worksheets, Financial Declarations, Sealed Financial Records Cover Sheet to go with private financial records, Child Support Orders, and Proposed Temporary and/or Final Residential Schedules.
By: Northwest Justice Project

Responding to a Petition for Nonparental Custody This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

This packet is intended to help you respond if you were served with a petition for nonparental custody. A petition for nonparental custody asks a court to give the petitioner permanent legal custody of the child/ren named in the petition.
By: Northwest Justice Project

Finishing Your Nonparental Custody Case This link opens a PDF file in a new window. If you do not have an accessible Acrobat Reader, a link is provided at the bottom of this page.

This packet contains information and forms to finish a nonparental custody case. Most of the instructions are written from the petitioner’s point of view because the petitioner typically prepares the final court papers if s/he is receiving custody of the child/ren, or if s/he chooses to drop the case. However, the general information about how to finish a case can be useful to both parties. In addition, a respondent might use some of the forms in this packet if s/he wins at trial or if the case is dismissed before trial.
By: Northwest Justice Project


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