Washington LawHelp

General Info (5)+

• Non-Parent Custody: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

  This resource has general information about two ways under Washington law to get legal custody of a child who is not yours: 1) a non-parent custody petition filed in court under Ch. 26.10 RCW or 2) a Temporary Parental Consent Agreement (in agreed cases only). Instructions and a sample Temporary Parental Consent Agreement form are included. #3100EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Filing for Non-parent Custody of an Indian Child in State Court

  3150EN - The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) is a special federal law. It applies to cases where someone other than a parent wants to get custody of an “Indian Child.” This publication has information for people who want to file for custody of an Indian child in Washington State. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Getting Your Paperwork Ready So You Can Get Help with Your Family Law Case

  Be ready for an appointment with someone who's going to help you with your family law case. That someone might be: an attorney; a family law facilitator; an advocate at your local Domestic Violence shelter; or a CLEAR advocate who is going over forms with you by phone. #3130EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Immigration Status and Court Hearings in Washington State

  Questions and answers about when and how the court can ask about your immigration status. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Washington’s New Non-Parent Visitation Rights

  Effective June 7, 2018, certain non-parent relatives can file for non-parent visitation with a child. Read More

  By:

  Columbia Legal Services

Guardians ad litem / evaluators (3)+

• Guardian ad Litems in Family Law Cases Cases

  3103EN - 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 on his her/own to appoint one. A GAL may be a lawyer, mental health professional, or volunteer. This packet has the necessary forms and instructions. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• 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. This publication contains tips to help you work successfully with the GAL. Publication #3106EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• When you Disagree with a Guardian Ad Litem Report

  In a family law case where the parties disagree about the parenting plan, the court may appoint a Guardian ad Litem (GAL), or an Evaluator. A GAL or Evaluator’s job is to investigate both households to recommend to the court a residential plan in the child’s best interest. Publication 3111EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

Non-Parent Custody Self-Help Packets (7)+

• File a Non-Parent Custody Case

  Blank forms to print and fill out on your own, with how-to instructions for completing and filing. Packet #3112EN. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Filing for Temporary Non-Parent Custody Orders

  Blank forms to print and fill out on your own, with how-to instructions for completing and filing. Either petitioner or respondent may file this motion. It can cover issues temporary child support, temporary custody, temporary visitation, safety restraints, or custody investigations while the non-parent custody case is pending. Packet #3123EN. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Residential Schedules and Child Support: Non-Parent Custody Cases

  Blank forms to print and fill out on your own, with how-to instructions for completing and filing. Petitioners and Respondents can use this. Do not use this packet alone. See our Filing, Responding and Finalizing Non-Parent Custody Case packets for more info. Packet #3116EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Filing for Immediate Restraining Orders: Non-Parent Custody Cases

  Blank forms to print and fill out on your own, with how-to instructions for completing and filing. Use this packet in an emergency to ask for this court order to take effect immediately, usually with little or no advance notice to the other party. Packet #3124EN. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Responding to a Non-Parent Custody Petition

  Blank forms to print and fill out on your own, with how-to instructions for completing and filing. Packet #3113EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Finalizing Your Non-Parent Custody Case

  Blank forms to print and fill out on your own, with how-to instructions for completing and filing. Note: most of the instructions are from Petitioner’s point of view. Respondent might use some of the forms in this packet if they win at trial or the judge dismisses the case before trial. Packet #3114EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Responding to a Motion for Temporary Non-Parent Custody Orders or Immediate Restraining Orders: Non-Parent Custody

  Blank forms to print and fill out on your own, with how-to instructions for completing and filing. Packet #3125EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

Serving Papers (1)+

• Service by Certified Mail or Publication

  Blank forms to print and fill out on your own, with how-to instructions for completing and filing. Use this when you have tried to serve the other party in person but cannot. Packet #3220EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project