Divorce/Separation
Know Your Rights
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
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.
You Have Been Served with Divorce Papers
What you should do if you have been served with divorce paperwork. #3242EN
Pregnancy and Divorce
For people getting a divorce in Washington State while one of the spouses is pregnant. Learn what happens when a spouse is pregnant during the divorce and what can be done to address the issue during the divorce process. #3236EN
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.
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
Should I file a domestic violence protection order (DVPO)?
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. This explains things to think about before filing a DVPO. #3703EN
Enforcing your Final Divorce Order: Money and Property Issues
How to enforce (make sure everyone follows) the final divorce order and collect the money or property your ex-spouse must pay or give you. #3234EN
VAWA Self-Petition: Immigration Relief for Victims of Domestic Violence
If a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member uses their immigration status to control or abuse you, you may be able to file an I-360 VAWA Petition. This petition lets you try to get status without the help of the abusive family member. #8125EN
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
Immigration, Family Law, and Domestic Violence
If you have a protection order case or family law matter, you may have immigration questions or concerns. People who are abusive often use immigration status to control their partners. Read this for basic answers to some common questions. #8105EN
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
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
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.
Respond to Divorce
A Washington Forms Online interview. Self-help court forms and instructions on LawHelp Interactive.
You Have Been Served with Divorce Papers
What you should do if you have been served with divorce paperwork. #3242EN
Helping Children Deal with Divorce
Being prepared with good conflict-resolution skills and knowing how to find help if you can't resolve the conflict on your own will make things easier for your children. #3207EN
Pregnancy and Divorce
For people getting a divorce in Washington State while one of the spouses is pregnant. Learn what happens when a spouse is pregnant during the divorce and what can be done to address the issue during the divorce process. #3236EN
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.
If you have been served with a contempt motion
Basic info on why you got served and how you might be able to defend yourself. #3112EN
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.
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.
You Have Been Served with Divorce Papers
What you should do if you have been served with divorce paperwork. #3242EN
If you have been served with a contempt motion
Basic info on why you got served and how you might be able to defend yourself. #3112EN
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
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 and Future Retirement Benefits
Explains the importance of including retirement benefits when dividing up property in your divorce. #3238EN
Divorce, Debt, and Bankruptcy in Washington State
A general overview of debt and bankruptcy issues related to divorce. #0102EN
Getting a divorce: Dividing property and debts
Find out what it means for your Washington divorce that this is a "community property" state. #3243EN
Enforcing your Final Divorce Order: Money and Property Issues
How to enforce (make sure everyone follows) the final divorce order and collect the money or property your ex-spouse must pay or give you. #3234EN
If you have been served with a contempt motion
Basic info on why you got served and how you might be able to defend yourself. #3112EN
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, paternity or non-parent custody 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
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
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
Changing Your Legal Separation to a Divorce
If you've changed your mind about your legal separation and you want to get a divorce OR you want to get back together with your spouse, use these forms and instructions. #3252EN
File for Legal Separation with Children
Brief instructions and the forms to file for legal separation with children in Washington state. #3268EN
File for Legal Separation without Children
Brief instructions and the forms to file for legal separation without children in Washington state. #3269EN
Veterans: Divorce & Military Benefits
Learn how divorce proceedings may affect your benefits. We explain the effects of divorce on VA Income Benefits, Military Retirement Pay and Military Retirement Medical Benefits. #3232EN
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