Divorce/Separation

Know Your Rights

Other Family Problems

If you are being hurt, threatened or stalked, try to talk with a domestic violence program. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE. 

For court forms, choose the Court Forms & Procedures tab below.

Divorce and Other Options for Ending Your Marriage WITH Children in Washington State

If you have children and are considering getting a divorce, read this first. This does not include court forms but will guide you to the forms you need. #3240EN

Divorce and Other Options for Ending Your Marriage WITHOUT Children in Washington State

If you have no children and want to get a divorce or dissolution of domestic partnership, read this first. This does not include court forms but will guide you to the forms you need. #3241EN

Divorce: The Basics

General information about getting divorced in Washington state. #3200EN

Enforcing your Final Divorce Order: Money and Property Issues

How to make sure your ex-spouse follows your final divorce order, and how to collect the money or property your ex must pay or give you. #3234EN

File a Motion for Revision in a Family Law Case

Use this to ask a judge to change (revise) a court commissioner's order. #3901EN

File for Divorce

A Washington Forms Online interview. Self-help court forms and instructions on LawHelp Interactive.

Legal Separation: General Info

Learn about the difference between getting a divorce and a legal separation and why people might choose a one over the other. #3253EN

Myths & Realities of Identity Change

If you are a survivor of domestic violence, harassment, stalking, or sexual assault, read this to learn about whether changing your name and social security number will provide you any additional safety. #3716EN

Pregnancy and Divorce

For people getting a divorce in Washington State while one of the spouses is pregnant. #3236EN

Respond to Divorce

A Washington Forms Online interview. Self-help court forms and instructions on LawHelp Interactive.

Webinar: Protective Parenting Plans

A webinar to discuss creating a protective parenting plan when there are concerns of domestic violence or parenting deficits that are detrimental to the children. This webinar will discuss parenting plans and provide a general overview for self-represented people of some important court rules to help you understand how to get a temporary motion for a parenting plan before the court.

When you have received divorce papers: General info

What you should do if you have been served with divorce paperwork. #3242EN

File a Notice of Appearance

If you are served with a lawsuit, file a Notice of Appearance (NOA) to tell the other party and the court that you want to defend yourself in the case, and you want to get notice if anything else happens in the case. #9931EN

Divorce and Other Options for Ending Your Marriage WITH Children in Washington State

If you have children and are considering getting a divorce, read this first. This does not include court forms but will guide you to the forms you need. #3240EN

File for Divorce

A Washington Forms Online interview. Self-help court forms and instructions on LawHelp Interactive.

Guardians ad Litem in Family Law Cases

A judge may appoint a guardian ad litem (GAL) in a court case about custody or visitation rights. Any party to the case may ask for appointment of a GAL, or the judge can decide to appoint one. This packet has the necessary forms and instructions. #3103EN

Pregnancy and Divorce

For people getting a divorce in Washington State while one of the spouses is pregnant. #3236EN

Respond to Divorce

A Washington Forms Online interview. Self-help court forms and instructions on LawHelp Interactive.

Tips for phone and video hearings

How to get ready for and conduct yourself during a remote hearing (over the phone or by video-conference). #9961EN

Video - Family Law Live: Breaking up when you have kids

This video is the first in a series about important issues in family law matters like divorce, custody and parenting plans. Learn more about breaking up when you have children and get tips that can help make dealing with these issues easier for your family.

Video - Family Law Live: Celebrating holidays

This video is the second in a series about important issues in family law matters like divorce, custody and parenting plans. Learn how to schedule and plan for holidays when you have a parenting plan and get tips that can help make dealing with these issues easier for your family.

Webinar: Protective Parenting Plans

A webinar to discuss creating a protective parenting plan when there are concerns of domestic violence or parenting deficits that are detrimental to the children. This webinar will discuss parenting plans and provide a general overview for self-represented people of some important court rules to help you understand how to get a temporary motion for a parenting plan before the court.

When you have received divorce papers: General info

What you should do if you have been served with divorce paperwork. #3242EN

Divorce and Other Options for Ending Your Marriage WITHOUT Children in Washington State

If you have no children and want to get a divorce or dissolution of domestic partnership, read this first. This does not include court forms but will guide you to the forms you need. #3241EN

File for Divorce

A Washington Forms Online interview. Self-help court forms and instructions on LawHelp Interactive.

Respond to Divorce

A Washington Forms Online interview. Self-help court forms and instructions on LawHelp Interactive.

Tips for phone and video hearings

How to get ready for and conduct yourself during a remote hearing (over the phone or by video-conference). #9961EN

When you have received divorce papers: General info

What you should do if you have been served with divorce paperwork. #3242EN

Divorce and bankruptcy

If you're getting a divorce and you have a lot of debt, you might want to file for bankruptcy with your spouse, or separately. Read this to learn more. #0102EN

Divorce and Future Retirement Benefits

Explains the importance of including retirement benefits when dividing up property in your divorce. #3238EN

Divorce and Other Options for Ending Your Marriage WITH Children in Washington State

If you have children and are considering getting a divorce, read this first. This does not include court forms but will guide you to the forms you need. #3240EN

Divorce and Other Options for Ending Your Marriage WITHOUT Children in Washington State

If you have no children and want to get a divorce or dissolution of domestic partnership, read this first. This does not include court forms but will guide you to the forms you need. #3241EN

Enforcing your Final Divorce Order: Money and Property Issues

How to make sure your ex-spouse follows your final divorce order, and how to collect the money or property your ex must pay or give you. #3234EN

Getting a divorce: Dividing property and debts

Find out what it means for your Washington divorce that this is a "community property" state. #3243EN

Guardian Ad Litem Report: The basics and how to respond

If you're fighting about a parenting plan in a family law case in a Washington court, read this to learn what a guardian ad litem does, why the report matters, and how to respond to a report when its recommendations don't help you. #3111EN

Guardians ad Litem in Family Law Cases

A judge may appoint a guardian ad litem (GAL) in a court case about custody or visitation rights. Any party to the case may ask for appointment of a GAL, or the judge can decide to appoint one. This packet has the necessary forms and instructions. #3103EN

How to work with GALS and parenting evaluators

If you are involved in a divorce, parentage, or petition to change parenting plan case where the other parent does not agree with you, the court may appoint a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) or Parenting Evaluator. Here are some tips to help you work successfully with the GAL. #3106EN

Divorcing someone in the military: Basic questions and answers

Learn about additional legal protections service members who are divorcing have. This is for both the service member and the non-service member. #3216EN

Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act for Divorced Spouses in the Military

The Uniformed Services Former Spouse Protection Act is a federal law that provides certain benefits to former spouses of military members. Under this law, former spouses may be entitled to portions of the military member’s retirement pay, medical care, and exchange and commissary benefits. #3232EN

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