General Info (7)
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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
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
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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
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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
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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
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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
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
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Temporary Parenting Consent Agreements
Read this if you have decided to have someone else (such as a grandparent) temporarily care for your child. Read More
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
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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
Guardians ad litem / evaluators (3)
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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
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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
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
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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
- Read this in:
- Spanish / Español
Non-Parent Custody Self-Help Packets (8)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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