Listing of self-help materials and informational publications.
There are 119 resources
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Court forms
Do-it-Yourself Family Law Packets
Responding to a Petition for Parenting Plan (Custody) or Child Support When Parentage Has Been Estab 3605EN - This packet is intended to help you fill out and file the forms and papers you need to respond to a Petition for Parenting Plan/Residential Schedule or Child Support when you are not married to the other parent of your children and parentage has been established.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Responding to a Petition for Establishment of Parentage (Paternity) 3621EN - This packet is intended to help you fill out and file the forms and papers that you need to respond to a Petition for Establishment of Parentage on form number WPF PS 01.0100 (to find out the form number, look at the first page of the Petition in the bottom left-hand corner).
By: Northwest Justice Project
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
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 Nonparental Custody Case 3112EN - 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
Finishing Your Nonparental Custody Case 3114EN - 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
Residential Schedules and Child Support for Nonparental Custody Cases 3116EN - 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 3113EN - 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
Filing a Motion for Waiver of Your 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 court papers in a civil case because you can't afford to pay the fee.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Filing a Motion for a Parenting Plan (Custody) and Child Support When Parentage Has Been Established in the Past 2 Years 3610EN - This packet will help you fill out and file the forms and papers that you need if: the parentage (paternity) of your child has already been established by court order in the past two years; you want to ask a Washington court for a residential schedule, parenting plan or child support court order; and your proposed parenting plan/residential schedule does not change who the child lives with most of the time.
By: Northwest Justice Project
How to Subpoena Witnesses and Documents
If you are going to an evidentiary hearing or trial and need to make sure that a witness shows up, or that someone brings documents or other items, you can have the person served with a subpoena issued by the court clerk. This publication tells you how to do this.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
A Juror's Guide
(Separate Website)
Information about serving on a jury in Washington state.
By: Administrative Office Of The Courts
Appellate and Trial Court Listing
(Separate Website)
A directory of appellate and trial courts in Washington State.
By: Administrative Office Of The Courts
Basic Tips on How to Get Ready for a Court Hearing or Trial
3210EN - Tips on how to prepare for a hearing.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Guide to Washington Courts
(Separate Website)
An overview of the Washington court system.
By: Administrative Office Of The Courts
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Information for Persons with Disabilities Who Need Accommodations to Access the Courts If you have a disability and you believe you may need an accommodation to fully and equally participate in a particular court proceeding or activity, you may request a reasonable accommodation. This resource contains the new Request for Reasonable Accomodation Form and instructions for filing it out.
By: Administrative Office Of The Courts
Preparing for Your Day in Court - King County Superior Court
(Separate Website)
Supplemental written guide book to be used with the "Your Day in Court" video.
By: King County Superior Court
Self-Represented Litigants in Municipal Court
(Separate Website)
Understanding and making your way through the court process is not easy and can be quite frustrating, especially for those handling their own legal representation (pro se litigants). There are extensive state and local court rules and everyone appearing before the Municipal Court is
expected to follow them. The following may be of help in clarifying some of the mysteries of representing yourself.
By: Administrative Office of the Courts
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Self-Represented Persons in District Court
(Separate Website)
Understanding and making your way through the court process is not easy and can be quite frustrating, especially for those handling their own legal representation (pro se litigants). There are extensive state and local court rules and everyone appearing before the District Court is expected to follow them. The following may be of help in clarifying some of the mysteries of representing yourself.
By: Administrative Office of the Courts
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Self-Represented Persons in Superior Court Civil Proceedings
(Separate Website)
Understanding and making your way through the court process is not easy and can be quite frustrating, especially for those handling their own legal representation (pro se litigants). There are extensive state and local court rules (see E. 7) and everyone appearing before the Superior Court is expected to follow them. While a one-page handout can never tell you everything you need to know, the following will hopefully be of benefit in clarifying a few of the mysteries of representing yourself.
By: Administrative Office of the Courts
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Working with the Cowlitz County Superior Court Clerks If you're filing or otherwise involved in a court case in Cowlitz County, this publication will provide you with helpful information that so that you can file papers and appear for court faster and more easily.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Your Day in Court: How to Make Sure Your Voice is Heard in King County
(Separate Website)
A short flash video covering the basics of how to representing yourself in a lawsuit.
By: King County Superior Court
Basic Tips on How to Get Ready for a Court Hearing or Trial
3210EN - Tips on how to prepare for a hearing.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Depositions (for unrepresented parties)
(Separate Website)
This memo provides an overview of what depositions are, how to schedule them and tips for answering questions at a deposition.
By: Legal Voice
Family Law Court Records and Your Privacy
(Separate Website)
Explains statewide court rules that protect personal information in court files and includes forms that you can use in your family law case.
By: Legal Voice
How Do I "Do Discovery"? Help with Interrogatories and Requests for Production in Family Law Cases Use this publication if: you are a party in a contested family law case ("contested" means you and the other party disagree about issues) AND you want or need to get more information from the other party about his/her side of the issues.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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
How to Subpoena Witnesses and Documents
If you are going to an evidentiary hearing or trial and need to make sure that a witness shows up, or that someone brings documents or other items, you can have the person served with a subpoena issued by the court clerk. This publication tells you how to do this.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
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
Mediation: Should I Use It?
(Separate Website)
3226EN - Mediation is an informal way to resolve disputes without going to court. The parties attempt to negotiate a mutually agreeable settlement with the help of a neutral mediator. Mediation can be used in many types of disputes.
By: Legal Voice
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Name Change 3400EN - In Washington State, any person over eighteen years of age can choose and use any name he or she wishes as long as the purpose of the change in the name is not to defraud another. For example, it is not legal to change names to avoid creditors or to escape obligations such as child support. Changing your name is legal and relatively easy to accomplish. This publication describes the process.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
New Court Rule: Filing Fee Waiver On December 28, 2010, Washington's state courts adopted General Rule 34 (GR 34). This rule establishes who is eligible for a waiver of the filing fee to begin your civil case and other, mandatory charges.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Preparing for Your Day in Court - King County Superior Court
(Separate Website)
Supplemental written guide book to be used with the "Your Day in Court" video.
By: King County Superior Court
Self-Represented Litigants in Municipal Court
(Separate Website)
Understanding and making your way through the court process is not easy and can be quite frustrating, especially for those handling their own legal representation (pro se litigants). There are extensive state and local court rules and everyone appearing before the Municipal Court is
expected to follow them. The following may be of help in clarifying some of the mysteries of representing yourself.
By: Administrative Office of the Courts
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Self-Represented Persons in District Court
(Separate Website)
Understanding and making your way through the court process is not easy and can be quite frustrating, especially for those handling their own legal representation (pro se litigants). There are extensive state and local court rules and everyone appearing before the District Court is expected to follow them. The following may be of help in clarifying some of the mysteries of representing yourself.
By: Administrative Office of the Courts
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Self-Represented Persons in Superior Court Civil Proceedings
(Separate Website)
Understanding and making your way through the court process is not easy and can be quite frustrating, especially for those handling their own legal representation (pro se litigants). There are extensive state and local court rules (see E. 7) and everyone appearing before the Superior Court is expected to follow them. While a one-page handout can never tell you everything you need to know, the following will hopefully be of benefit in clarifying a few of the mysteries of representing yourself.
By: Administrative Office of the Courts
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Small Claims Court In Small Claims Court, a person may sue for up to $5,000. This court is meant to be a relatively quick, inexpensive way to resolve disputes that you've been unable to settle. The Small Claims Court is not complicated. Lawyers generally cannot participate and there are no juries, motions or objections. There is only a small charge for filing the lawsuit. A trial may be obtained much sooner than in other courts, and most trials are short, lasting about 20 minutes.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Spokane County Family Facilitator Information Information about making the most of your time at the court facilitator's office and the fees involved.
By: Spokane County Superior Court
Tips on How to Get Your Paperwork Ready So You Can Get Help with Your Family Law Case
Be 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
Washington Court Rules
(Separate Website)
By: Administrative Office Of The Courts
Working with the Cowlitz County Superior Court Clerks If you're filing or otherwise involved in a court case in Cowlitz County, this publication will provide you with helpful information that so that you can file papers and appear for court faster and more easily.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Your Day in Court: How to Make Sure Your Voice is Heard in King County
(Separate Website)
A short flash video covering the basics of how to representing yourself in a lawsuit.
By: King County Superior Court
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
Filing a Motion for Adjustment of a Child Support Court Order 3221EN - This packet is intended to help you fill out and file the forms and papers you need for a Motion for Adjustment of a Child Support Order. However, before you use this packet, and assuming you have concluded that filing a motion for adjustment is what you want to do, you should check with your county's Family Law Facilitator or Court Clerk to see if your county has its own Motion for Adjustment packet: a local packet may be easier for you to use because it will include the rules and forms for that county.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Filing a Petition for Parenting Plan (Custody) or Child Support When Parentage Has Already Been Established 3602EN - This packet will help you fill out and file the forms and papers that you need if:
you are not married to the other parent of your child; the parentage (paternity) of your child has already been established by court order that is more than two years old; and you want to ask a Washington court for a residential schedule, parenting plan or child support court order. You can also use this packet to ask the court for a parenting plan if you have already established parentage with a paternity affidavit or if you established parentage in the last twenty-four months, and you are looking to change who the child resides with.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Filing a Petition for Establishment of Parentage (Paternity) 3620EN - This packet is intended to help you fill out and file the forms and papers that you need if you are not married to the other parent of your child, you want to start a court case to ask the court to establish the parentage (paternity) of your child, and you meet the following criteria: (1) There is no Paternity Affidavit which establishes parentage of your child OR Your child has a Washington State Paternity Affidavit that was signed before July 1, 1997; AND (2) There is no court order in any state that establishes parentage of your child.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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
Dismissing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Divorce) or Domestic Partnership 3219EN - This packet will help you dismiss a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage or Domestic Partnership 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 or as a registered domestic partnership.
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
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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.
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