Listing of self-help materials and informational publications.
There are 47 resources
Interactive Court Forms
Filing for Divorce in WA with No Minor Children - Interactive Court Forms
Use the LawHelp Interactive web site to help you complete court forms. This online interview guides you through a series of questions and when completed provides court forms and instructions for filing a divorce without minor children of the marriage in Washington State.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Finishing Your Divorce in WA with No Minor Children by Agreement or Default - Interactive Court Forms
Use LawHelp Interactive to help you complete your court forms. This online interview guides you through a series of questions and when completed provides court forms and instructions for finishing a divorce by agreement or default without minor children of the marriage in Washington State. This interview is NOT for individuals who have a contested (not agreed) divorce.
By: Northwest Justice Project
General Information about Divorce
3200EN - Information about getting divorced in Washington state.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Bulgarian / Български
,
Chinese / 中文
,
Spanish / Español
Ending Your Marriage in Washington with Children: The Basics
3240EN - If you have children and want to get a divorce, you should read this publication first.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Ending Your Marriage in Washington without Children: The Basics
3241EN - If you have no children and want to get a divorce, you should read this publication first.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Tips on How to Get Your Paperwork Ready So You Can Get Help with Your Family Law Case
ready for an appointment with someone who?s going to help you with your family law case. That someone might be: an attorney; a family law facilitator; an advocate at your local Domestic Violence shelter; or a CLEAR advocate who is going over forms with you by phone.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
How to Serve Papers on the Other Party in a Family Law Case When you file a family law case, you must make sure that a copy of the petition, summons, and other papers you are filing are delivered to the person you are filing the case against (?the other party?) in a legally correct way.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Community Debt and Bankruptcy Issues
(Separate Website)
Community debts are those debts that both you and your spouse are responsible for. This fact sheet defines which types of debts are defined as community debts. (PDF file)
By: Legal Voice
Parenting Plans (court orders about child custody)
3230EN - This publication provides general information about what a parenting plan is and how to get one. It also explains how to enforce or change a permanent parenting plan.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Contempt of Court in a Family Law Case: The Basics
3107EN - This publication gives general information about the law concerning contempt in family law cases. It covers only the type of contempt most commonly used in family law cases, here called "coercive civil contempt". The main goal is to have a person who is violating a court order obey that order in the future.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Enforcing Your Divorce Decree: Financial and Property Issues
(Separate Website)
3234EN - A brief description of your legal options for collecting unpaid child support, maintenance, money judgments, and property. [link to PDF file]
By: Legal Voice
Dissolution When the Wife is Pregnant
(Separate Website)
3236EN - This page describes the law and procedures which must be followed in a dissolution (divorce) when the wife is pregnant. [PDF file]
By: Legal Voice
Retirement, Divorce and You
(Separate Website)
3238EN - Explains the importance of including retirement benefits when dividing up property in your divorce. [link to PDF file]
By: Legal Voice
Family Law Forms in Spanish
(Separate Website)
The King County Superior Court has the following forms and instructions available in Spanish at its website at www.metrokc.gov/kscc/famlaw/spanish.htm. The same forms are also available in English at www.metrokc.gov/kscc/forms and at www.courts.wa.gov/forms, the Washington Courts website. You can find additional forms and instructions available in Spanish and in English at this website: www.washingtonlawhelp.org.
By: King County Superior Court
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Filing for Dissolution: Court forms, Instructions and Procedures (PDF files are for printing only. You cannot fill the forms out on your computer.)
Filing for Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce) 3202EN - This packet was written to help you get a divorce. It provides general information about the law and some of the forms you will need to fill out. If you read the information carefully and follow the instructions, you should be able to do your own divorce.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Service by Certified Mail or Publication 3220EN - This packet applies when you are the petitioner and you must serve the opposing party with the petition and other documents in your case when your case first begins. When you have tried to serve the other party in person but cannot, you can ask the court to allow you to serve by certified mail or publication.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Filing a Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Waiver of Filing Fee) 3204EN - This packet includes the instructions and forms needed to ask the court to waive (not ask for) the filing fee required to file for divorce. These forms are generic. Some counties require that you file forms that our specific to that county. Call your county clerk and ask before filling out the forms included in this packet.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
Word File
Filing a Motion for Emergency Orders for Dissolution Cases and Modifications of Custody/PP in Diss 3214EN - This packet was written to help you get emergency orders while your case is pending in court. This type of motion is a way for you or another party to ask the court to enter an immediate court order that gives you certain rights and/or protections in your family law case between the time your case is filed and the date it is finished.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Filing a Motion for Temporary Orders for Dissolution Cases and for Custody/Parenting Plan Modifica 3217EN - This packet was written to help you get temporary orders while your case is pending in court. Temporary Orders can order who gets to use what property, who shall pay which bills, appoint a guardian ad litem, and establish temporary child support payments and a parenting plan to be followed until final orders have been entered. This packet can be used for any type of family law action, including dissolution or modification of an existing parenting plan or custody decree.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Parenting Plans and Child Support for Dissolution (Divorce) Cases and Modifications of Dissolution 3209EN - This packet is intended to help you fill out the forms and papers for parenting plans and child support. You should not use this packet by itself. You should use this packet only if you are the petitioner (the one who is starting the court case) or the respondent (the one who is responding to the court case) in a dissolution of marriage (divorce), if you are the petitioner or respondent in an action to modify a custody decree or parenting plan in a dissolution of marriage.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Responding to Motions for Temporary or Emergency Orders for Dissolution Cases and for Custody/Pare 3222EN - This packet contains the forms and instructions you will need to fill out if you have received papers that ask for a court to award temporary or emergency orders in a dissolution (divorce) or custody modification matter. This packet will help you respond to the request for temporary or emergency orders by the other party. If you got papers from a party filing for dissolution, paternity, custody modification, or nonparental (third party) custody, we have separate response packets which you will need in addition to responding to the motion for temporary orders.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Responding to a Petition for Dissolution (Divorce) 3203EN - This packet was written to help you respond to a Petition for Dissolution. It provides general information about the law and some of the forms you will need to fill out if you have been served with divorce papers.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Finishing Your Dissolution of Marriage by Default 3205EN - This packet was written to help you complete a dissolution (divorce) action that has been filed, but has no final orders signed by the Judge. It provides information about the law and some of the forms you will need to fill out. You may use this packet if your spouse agrees with what you are asking for or fails to respond in time. This packet will help you get final orders signed by the judge dissolving your marriage, dividing property and debts, changing your name (if desired), awarding maintenance (alimony) to one spouse, and entering a restraining order (if desired).
By: Northwest Justice Project
Finishing Your Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce) with Children by Agreement 3251EN - This packet will help you fill out and file the forms and papers that you need to complete a dissolution (divorce) action when you and your spouse have an agreement (or settlement) and children are involved.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Finishing Your Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce) without Children by Agreement 3250EN - This packet will help you fill out and file the forms and papers that you need to complete a dissolution (divorce) action when you and your spouse have an agreement (or settlement) and no children.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Dismissing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce) 3219EN - This packet will help you dismiss a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage that you filed. You may use this packet if you change your mind and no longer want to get divorced. An Order of Dismissal will cancel your dissolution and you will stay married.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Basic Tips on How to Prepare for a Court Hearing or Trial
3210EN - Tips on how to prepare for a hearing.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
How to Serve Papers on the State 3218EN - When you set or change child support, you must notify the State if you, the other parent, or the children receive public assistance. This packet contains the forms and instructions for serving your court papers on the state.
By: Northwest Justice Project
How to Write a Declaration in a Family Law Case 3917EN - This publication tell you what a declaration is, what should be included and tips on how to write one. There is a family law declaration and forms attached that you can fill out.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Declaration Form - Family Law
(Separate Website)
Family Law Decarlation court form that can be used in all family law cases.
By: Administrative Office Of The Courts
Motion to Vacate Judgment/Order in a Family Law Case 3215EN - A Motion To Vacate is a request to the court to withdraw a previous order or judgment it entered.
By: Northwest Justice Project
How to Withdraw a Joinder in a Family Law Case Parties to a family law court case may sign a form called a Joinder to show the court that they're in agreement as to all the issues that a court must rule on in that case. If you signed this form but later decide that you are not in agreement, use this packet to file a withdrawal of the joinder.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Filing a Motion for Contempt in a Dissolution Case 3108EN - This packet is intended to help you fill out and file the forms and papers that you need if you already have a temporary or permanent parenting plan, child support order, or other family law order in a dissolution (divorce) case, and you want to ask the court in Washington for an order holding the other party in contempt for violating it.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Responding to a Motion for Contempt in a Family Law Case 3110EN - This packet is intended to help you fill out and file court forms if you have been served with a Motion or Petition for Contempt for violating a temporary or permanent parenting plan/residential schedule, a child support order, or other family law order.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Filing a Motion for Change of Venue in a Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce) or Modification... 3206EN - This packet contains the instructions and forms you will need to ask the court to move a marital dissolution or a modification of a parenting plan, child support order, or decree entered in a dissolution to a different county - this is called a Motion for Change of Venue.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Yakima County - Filing a Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Waiver of Filing Fee) This packet includes the instructions and forms needed to ask the court to waive (not ask for) the filing fee required to file for divorce in Yakima County.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Clark County: Court Fee Waiver - Motion and Order to Proceed In Forma Pauperis Use this form to request that your filing fee be waived if you have a very low income and cannot afford the fee.
By: Clark County Superior Court
Cowlitz County - Filing a Motion In Forma Pauperis (Waiver of Filing Fee) 3227EN - This packet can be used to request a fee waiver in Cowlitz County only.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Skagit County: In Forma Pauperis Forms (Waiver of Filing Fee) If you have a very low income, you may try to have the court waive your filing fee in a family law case. These forms are for Skagit County only.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Dissolution of Marriage Video - Spokane County
(Separate Website)
Although this video was made for Spokane County, it may be helpful as a general guide for those filing for divorce in other Washington counties. Rules and procedures do vary by county however.
By: Spokane County Superior Court
Modification/Adjustment of Parenting Plans and Custody Decrees: Court Forms and Instructions
Filing a Petition to Modify/Adjust a Parenting Plan/Custody Decree in a Dissolution Case 3260EN - This packet contains forms and instructions for filing a petition to modify/adjust a parenting plan or custody decree. Use this packet only if you and the other parent have been divorced and already have a parenting plan/custody decree from a Washington State court.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Finishing Your Modification/Adjustment of a Parenting Plan or Custody Decree in a Dissolution Case 3262EN - This packet will help you fill out and file the forms and papers that you need to finish a petition for modification/adjustment of a parenting plan/custody decree in a dissolution case. It will help you prepare the final orders in your case and present them to the judge.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Responding to a Petition to Modify/Adjust a Parenting Plan or Custody Decree in a Dissolution Case 3261EN - This packet is intended to help you respond to a Petition to Modify/Adjust an existing parenting plan or custody decree. Use it only if:
*you and the other parent have been divorced and *you already have a parenting plan/custody decree and *you have been served with a Petition for Modification/Adjustment of Custody Decree/Parenting Plan.
By: Northwest Justice Project
How to Request a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) for Dissolution (Divorce) Cases 3103EN - A guardian ad litem (GAL) may be appointed when a court case involves custody or visitation rights. In dissolution (divorce) actions, a GAL may be involved when the parties are divorcing or when an action has been filed to modify the parenting plan established previously as part of a dissolution action. You will probably want to ask the court to appoint a GAL if you or your children have been physically or sexually abused. Even when there has not been abuse but there are serious issues as to the other party's ability to be an adequate parent, it is often necessary to appoint a GAL.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Working With GALs and Parenting Evaluators: Tips for Parents in Family Law Cases
3106EN - If you are involved in a divorce, paternity or nonparental custody case where the other parent does not agree with you, the court may appoint a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) or Parenting Evaluator. This publication contains tips to help you work successfully with the GAL.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Divorcing Someone in the Military: Basic Questions and Answers
Service members who are divorcing have additional protections under the law. This publication briefly describes those protections. This publication is for both the service member and the non-service member.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Military Service and Parenting Plan Modifications: New Rights in Washington State
Parents serving in the armed forces who are involved in parenting plan modification cases should be aware of new laws passed for your protection effective July 26, 2009.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Adobe Acrobat Reader required. (If you are using a screen reader that does not support PDF format, copy the PDF link, and use the Access Adobe online form to convert this file to HMTL text.)
Information, Not Legal Advice. We are providing this information as a public service. We try to make it accurate as of the date noted in the materials. Sometimes the laws change. We cannot promise that this information is always up-to-date and correct. Most of the information provided on this web site is specific to Washington State law.
We do not intend this information to be legal advice. By providing this information, we are not acting as your lawyer. If you need legal advice, you should contact a lawyer through your local legal aid organization. Always talk to a competent lawyer, if you can, before taking legal action.
Permission for copying and distribution granted to the Alliance for Equal Justice and individuals for non-commercial use only.
Lawyer Advertising. This web site is not intended to be advertising or solicitation. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based on advertisements. Before hiring an attorney, you should investigate his or her reputation and qualifications.
Links. Some of the items listed here have not been prepared by us, but are instead "links" to information prepared and posted by others. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of information posted on other sites. The links are not intended to imply that we sponsor or are affiliated or associated with the persons who created those sites, nor are the links intended to imply that we are legally authorized to use any trade name, registered trademark, logo, legal or official seal, or copyrighted symbol that may be reflected in the links.
In an effort to improve this site, we would appreciate learning about your visit to Washington LawHelp.
Washington LawHelp is provided as a public service by the Northwest Justice Project in collaboration with other legal aid providers in the Alliance for Equal Justice and Washington courts.
PDF File
Word File
