For court forms, choose the Court Forms & Procedures tab below
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
Ask for an Emergency Minor Guardianship Order
Use this packet when it is safe to notify the parents that you are asking for an emergency guardianship. If it is not safe to do so, use our Ask for an Immediate Order in Ex Parte - Emergency Minor Guardianship and Restraining Order packet instead. #4414EN
Ask for an Immediate Order in Ex Parte: Emergency Minor Guardianship and Restraining Order
Use this along with our File a Minor Guardianship Petition packet only if you are trying to get emergency guardianship and you need a temporary court order the same day you file your paperwork. #4416EN
Durable power of attorney
A power of attorney form 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
How does the Indian Child Welfare Act affect me?
You should read this if you have questions about how the Indian Child Welfare Act might affect your family. It you could affect you if you are the parent of an Indian child, an Indian parent or custodian, an Indian child yourself, or a non-parent seeking custody, foster care, adoption or guardianship of an Indian child. #9201EN
I am age 12 – 17. 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, or you think you need a guardian, read this. #4402EN
Minor Guardianship: Fast Facts
Read this for an overview of minor guardianship, including who has the right to a lawyer, how guardianship affects the rights of the child and the parents, and alternatives to guardianship. #4401EN
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. #4418EN
New Minor Guardianship Law Effective January 1, 2021
Read this for an overview of the new minor guardianship (guardianship of a child) law - RCW 11.130.
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
Plan for someone else to care for your child if you can't
Parents: You can say what you want to happen if you're not available to care for your child under age 18, or their property. Without going to court, you can give Power of Attorney (POA) for Parental Powers to the person who will care for your child. You might need this if you’ll be temporarily unavailable. For example, you might be worried about deportation, going to jail or prison, deployed by the military, or getting long-term medical treatment. Power of Attorney for Parents is a free, effective alternative to Minor Guardianship that takes much less time when everyone agrees.#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
A power of attorney form lets you choose a trusted friend or relative to help you with your finances and/or health care decisions. #9608EN
Plan for someone else to care for your child if you can't
Parents: You can say what you want to happen if you're not available to care for your child under age 18, or their property. Without going to court, you can give Power of Attorney (POA) for Parental Powers to the person who will care for your child. You might need this if you’ll be temporarily unavailable. For example, you might be worried about deportation, going to jail or prison, deployed by the military, or getting long-term medical treatment. Power of Attorney for Parents is a free, effective alternative to Minor Guardianship that takes much less time when everyone agrees.#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
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
A power of attorney form lets you choose a trusted friend or relative to help you with your finances and/or health care decisions. #9608EN
Plan for someone else to care for your child if you can't
Parents: You can say what you want to happen if you're not available to care for your child under age 18, or their property. Without going to court, you can give Power of Attorney (POA) for Parental Powers to the person who will care for your child. You might need this if you’ll be temporarily unavailable. For example, you might be worried about deportation, going to jail or prison, deployed by the military, or getting long-term medical treatment. Power of Attorney for Parents is a free, effective alternative to Minor Guardianship that takes much less time when everyone agrees.#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
A power of attorney form lets you choose a trusted friend or relative to help you with your finances and/or health care decisions. #9608EN
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
Ask for an Emergency Minor Guardianship Order
Use this packet when it is safe to notify the parents that you are asking for an emergency guardianship. If it is not safe to do so, use our Ask for an Immediate Order in Ex Parte - Emergency Minor Guardianship and Restraining Order packet instead. #4414EN
Ask for an Immediate Order in Ex Parte: Emergency Minor Guardianship and Restraining Order
Use this along with our File a Minor Guardianship Petition packet only if you are trying to get emergency guardianship and you need a temporary court order the same day you file your paperwork. #4416EN
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
File a Petition for Short Term (Emergency) Guardianship
Use this only to file for guardianship lasting 2 months to 4 months (60 – 120 days) of a child under age 18 who is living in Washington State. #4408EN
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 – 17. 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, or you think you need a guardian, read this. #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. #4418EN
New Minor Guardianship Law Effective January 1, 2021
Read this for an overview of the new minor guardianship (guardianship of a child) law - RCW 11.130.
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
Plan for someone else to care for your child if you can't
Parents: You can say what you want to happen if you're not available to care for your child under age 18, or their property. Without going to court, you can give Power of Attorney (POA) for Parental Powers to the person who will care for your child. You might need this if you’ll be temporarily unavailable. For example, you might be worried about deportation, going to jail or prison, deployed by the military, or getting long-term medical treatment. Power of Attorney for Parents is a free, effective alternative to Minor Guardianship that takes much less time when everyone agrees.#3105EN
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