Washington LawHelp

The Basics (9)+

• Non-Parent Custody: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

  Find out when and how under Washington law someone can get legal custody of a child who is not theirs. #3100EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Non-Parent Custody Cases of Native American Children

  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. #3150EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Change a Nonparent Custody Order to Get Your Children Back

  You should read this if you are a parent who lost custody of your child in a Nonparent Custody case filed in Washington State before July 1, 2019. #3151EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): The Stimulus Payment in Family Law Cases

  Read this if you are involved in a family law court case and are not sure what to do about or what will happen to your family's stimulus check. #3980EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): Tips for Phone and Video Hearings

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

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• COVID-19 and Family Law Cases: General Information

  Read this if you have a pending family law case or are considering filing a new family law case. #3282EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Immigration Status and Court Hearings in Washington State

  Questions and answers about when and how the court can ask about your immigration status. #8110EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• 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 Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• 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)+

• Guardians ad Litem in Family Law Cases 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. A GAL may be a lawyer, mental health professional, or volunteer. This packet has the necessary forms and instructions. #3130EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project - CLEAR Intake Line

• 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 contains tips to help you work successfully with the GAL. #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. #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

• Ask for Temporary Orders: Non-Parent Custody Cases

  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

• Ask 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

• Respond 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

• Finalize a 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

• Respond to Motions for Temporary 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