Guardianship
Know Your Rights
Adult guardianship, conservatorship and other protective arrangements
Learn about what adult guardianship is and some alternatives to guardianship. #3300EN
Alternatives to Guardianship: Supported Decision Making Agreements (SDM)
Learn more about this alternative to guardianship that helps people with disabilities without limiting their rights. #3306EN
Durable Power of Attorney Documents
A power of attorney document lets you choose a trusted friend or relative to help you with your finances and/or health care decisions. #9608EN
FAQ: Someone is trying to get guardianship of my kids
Find out your rights and options if if you've been served with court papers from a Washington court seeking to name someone else guardian of your children. #4405EN
I am age 12 – 16. What are my rights in a minor guardianship case?
If you are a teen and someone has filed to have a court appoint a guardian for you, read this to find out what your rights are. #4402EN
Indian Child Welfare Act
The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) is a federal law that creates strict standards for state courts to follow in Indian child custody proceedings. The ICWA declares "the policy of this Nation is to protect the best interests of Indian children and to promote the stability and security of Indian tribes and families." #9201EN
Minor Guardianship of Native American Children
When someone who isn't a parent wants to get legal custody or guardianship of Indian children, special laws and procedures apply. #4416EN
New Minor Guardianship Law Effective January 1, 2021 RCW 11.130 FAQs
Read this for an overview of the new minor guardianship (guardianship of a child) law.
Non-Parent Custody has changed to Minor Guardianship
Washington state's non-parent custody law ended in 2021 and a new court procedure called minor guardianship has taken its place. Read a brief overview here. #3128EN
Options for Grandparents and Other Nonparental Caregivers: A Legal Guide for Washington State
A practical handbook for grandparents and other non-parent caregivers who want to understand their rights to establish and maintain legal relationships with the children in their care.
Power of Attorney (POA) for Parents
Parents: you can now give someone power of attorney to take care of your children for up to two years. Learn more. #3105EN
Protecting elders and vulnerable adults from abuse and neglect
Read about the different types of abuse that frail elders and vulnerable adults are protected from under the law. #9920EN
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.
Your child with disabilities is turning 18
You may be concerned about what happens to your child who is unable to care for themselves when they turn 18. Read this to learn about some of your options. #3303EN
Durable Power of Attorney Documents
A power of attorney document lets you choose a trusted friend or relative to help you with your finances and/or health care decisions. #9608EN
Your child with disabilities is turning 18
You may be concerned about what happens to your child who is unable to care for themselves when they turn 18. Read this to learn about some of your options. #3303EN
Adult guardianship, conservatorship and other protective arrangements
Learn about what adult guardianship is and some alternatives to guardianship. #3300EN
Alternatives to Guardianship: Supported Decision Making Agreements (SDM)
Learn more about this alternative to guardianship that helps people with disabilities without limiting their rights. #3306EN
Durable Power of Attorney Documents
A power of attorney document lets you choose a trusted friend or relative to help you with your finances and/or health care decisions. #9608EN
Options for Grandparents and Other Nonparental Caregivers: A Legal Guide for Washington State
A practical handbook for grandparents and other non-parent caregivers who want to understand their rights to establish and maintain legal relationships with the children in their care.
Power of Attorney (POA) for Parents
Parents: you can now give someone power of attorney to take care of your children for up to two years. Learn more. #3105EN
Your child with disabilities is turning 18
You may be concerned about what happens to your child who is unable to care for themselves when they turn 18. Read this to learn about some of your options. #3303EN
Adult guardianship, conservatorship and other protective arrangements
Learn about what adult guardianship is and some alternatives to guardianship. #3300EN
Durable Power of Attorney Documents
A power of attorney document lets you choose a trusted friend or relative to help you with your finances and/or health care decisions. #9608EN
Power of Attorney (POA) for Parents
Parents: you can now give someone power of attorney to take care of your children for up to two years. Learn more. #3105EN
Protecting elders and vulnerable adults from abuse and neglect
Read about the different types of abuse that frail elders and vulnerable adults are protected from under the law. #9920EN
Your child with disabilities is turning 18
You may be concerned about what happens to your child who is unable to care for themselves when they turn 18. Read this to learn about some of your options. #3303EN
FAQ: Someone is trying to get guardianship of my kids
Find out your rights and options if if you've been served with court papers from a Washington court seeking to name someone else guardian of your children. #4405EN
How to ask for a lawyer if you are a parent in a minor guardianship case
If you are served with minor guardianship papers over your child, you can ask the court to appoint you a lawyer at public expense. Learn more and get the forms and instructions for filling them out and filing them. #4404EN
I am age 12 – 16. What are my rights in a minor guardianship case?
If you are a teen and someone has filed to have a court appoint a guardian for you, read this to find out what your rights are. #4402EN
Minor Guardianship of Native American Children
When someone who isn't a parent wants to get legal custody or guardianship of Indian children, special laws and procedures apply. #4416EN
New Minor Guardianship Law Effective January 1, 2021 RCW 11.130 FAQs
Read this for an overview of the new minor guardianship (guardianship of a child) law.
Non-Parent Custody has changed to Minor Guardianship
Washington state's non-parent custody law ended in 2021 and a new court procedure called minor guardianship has taken its place. Read a brief overview here. #3128EN
Adult guardianship, conservatorship and other protective arrangements
Learn about what adult guardianship is and some alternatives to guardianship. #3300EN
Adult guardianship, conservatorship and other protective arrangements
Learn about what adult guardianship is and some alternatives to guardianship. #3300EN