Listing of self-help materials and informational publications.
There are 127 resources
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Court forms
Do-it-Yourself Family Law Packets
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) 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
Finishing a Modification of Your Child Support Court Order 3229EN - This packet is designed to help you finish a modification of your Washington State Child Support court order. You can use this packet only if you already have a child support modification case that has been filed in court. You may use this packet whether you filed a modification or responded to one.
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
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 Petition for Parenting Plan (Custody) or Child Support When Parentage Has Been Establ 3606EN - This packet will help you fill out and file the forms and papers that you need to finish a petition for residential/parenting plan and child support case. It will help you prepare the final orders in your case and present them to the judge. To use this packet, you must have already filed and served the other parties with the papers that start your petition for a parenting plan or child support, or you must already have responded to the petition.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Finishing Your Petition to Establish Parentage 3625EN - This packet will help you fill out and file the forms and papers you will need to finish a parentage petition. Use this packet only if the petition in your case was filed on form number WPF PS 01.0100
By: Northwest Justice Project
Serving 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
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
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
Parenting Plans, Residential Schedules and Child Support for Parentage Cases and Modifications of 3604EN - This packet is intended to help you fill out the forms and papers for parenting plans, residential schedules, and child support in parentage (paternity) cases, which are family law cases for parents of a child who are not married. 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 Petition for a Residential Schedule/Parenting Plan or Child Support, a Petition to Establish Parentage, or another type of parentage (Paternity) case, or if you are the petitioner or respondent in an action to modify a custody decree or parenting plan in a Parentage case.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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
Responding to a Motion for Adjustment of Your Child Support Court Order 3223EN - You should use this packet if you have received papers that ask the court to adjust (change) your child support court order by motion in superior court. This packet will help you to file your own response to the motion for adjustment of support, to ask the court for what you want, and to prepare for your hearing.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Responding to a Petition for Modification of Your Child Support Court Order 3228EN - This packet is intended to help you fill out and file the forms and papers you need to respond to a Petition for Modification of a child support court order in superior court. If you read the information carefully and follow the instructions, you may be able to respond to the support modification on your own. You should not use this packet if you are served with a petition to modify an administrative child support order.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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
Responding to Motions for Temporary or Emergency Orders for Parentage Cases or Modifications of 3609EN - This packet is intended to help you fill out and file the forms and papers you need to respond to a Motion for Temporary Orders or a Motion for an Ex Parte Restraining Order/Order to Show Cause. This packet should only be used where the parties have already filed a Petition to Establish Parentage, a Petition for Parenting Plan/Residential Schedule or Child Support, or where one party seeks to modify an existing parenting plan or custody decree that was entered in a parentage action.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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 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
Filing a Motion for Contempt in a Parentage Case 3109EN - 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, residential schedule, child support order, or other family law order in a parentage (paternity) 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 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 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
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
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
A Citizen's Guide to Washington Courts
(Separate Website)
An overview of the Washington court system.
By: Administrative Office Of The Courts
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 Prepare for a Court Hearing or Trial
3210EN - Tips on how to prepare for a hearing.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Ensuring Equal Access for People with Disabilities: A Guide for Washington Courts
(Separate Website)
Washington courthouses and court services must be accessible to persons with disabilities. This Guide is intended to help courts achieve equal access.
By: Washington State Access to Justice Board
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
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 Prepare for a Court Hearing or Trial
3210EN - Tips on how to prepare for a hearing.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
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
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 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
Washington Court Rules
(Separate Website)
By: Administrative Office Of The Courts
Which Court Has the Right to Enter a Custody Order? Questions and Answers about Jurisdiction 3102EN - 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
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
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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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