Parenting Plans/Custody
Know Your Rights
Parentage and Parenting Plans
Learn the laws that apply when you have a child and you are not married to or in a registered domestic partnership with the child’s other parent. #3601EN
Parenting Plans: General Info
What a parenting plan is and how to get one. Learn how to enforce or change a permanent parenting plan. #3230EN
Changing a Parenting Plan or Child Custody Order
Learn more about when and how you can change the final court order awarding custody and visitation of your children. This order might be a Custody Decree or Order, Residential Schedule, or Parenting Plan. #3104EN
Parenting Plans, Visitation & COVID-19 in Washington State
Common questions and answers about visitation and parenting plans during the pandemic. #3280EN
I Was Served with Parentage (or Petition for Parenting Plan or Child Support) Papers
If you were served with parentage, petition for parenting plan or child support papers, you must respond promptly. If you do not respond on time, the other party may automatically win. You may have as few as four business days to file a response. This will help you figure out what to do. #3614EN
Change a nonparent custody order to get your children back
Read this if you are a parent who lost custody of your child in a Nonparent Custody case or minor guardianship case filed in Washington State. #3151EN
Child Protective Services (CPS) and Dependency Actions
Read this if you are involved with Child Protective Services, but there is no court case or if the State of Washington (through DSHS, CPS, the Prosecutor, or the Attorney General’s Office) has filed a court case to take your child from you. #3120EN
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
Name Change
In Washington State, if you are eighteen or older, you can choose and use any name you wish, as long as you are not trying to defraud (cheat) someone. This describes the process. #3400EN
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
Questions and Answers about Washington's Relocation Law
If you have legal custody of your child, and you wish to move (relocate) and take the child with you, Washington State law may require you to do certain things first. Read this to learn what to do. #3135EN
Should I file a domestic violence protection order (DVPO)?
If you are being hurt, threatened or stalked, try to talk with a domestic violence program. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE. This explains things to think about before filing a DVPO. #3703EN
The Other Parent has Taken My Child
Read this if the other parent or person claiming the right to legal custody has taken your children away from you (with or without a court order). #3118EN
Washington Parenting Law for Unmarried Couples
Basic information about Washington State law that applies to parenting when unmarried couples separate. #3912EN
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.
What happens to my kids if I am sick or die?
If you are a single parent, you may worry who will care for your kids if something happens to you. This explains your options. You should also talk to a lawyer. #3115EN
Child Protective Services (CPS) and Dependency Actions
Read this if you are involved with Child Protective Services, but there is no court case or if the State of Washington (through DSHS, CPS, the Prosecutor, or the Attorney General’s Office) has filed a court case to take your child from you. #3120EN
Know Your Rights When CPS Comes Knocking
A guide for domestic violence survivors to understand their rights in the initial stages of a Child Protective Services (CPS) investigation, and to know what Washington’s policy is regarding domestic violence and CPS, especially in the early stages of a case, when things are moving fast and may feel scary and confusing.
Guardians ad Litem in Family Law 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. This packet has the necessary forms and instructions. #3103EN
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. Here are some tips to help you work successfully with the GAL. #3106EN
Guardian Ad Litem Report: The basics and how to respond
If you're fighting about a parenting plan in a family law case in a Washington court, read this to learn what a guardian ad litem does, why the report matters, and how to respond to a report when its recommendations don't help you. #3111EN
What happens to my kids if I am sick or die?
If you are a single parent, you may worry who will care for your kids if something happens to you. This explains your options. You should also talk to a lawyer. #3115EN
Questions and Answers about Washington's Relocation Law
If you have legal custody of your child, and you wish to move (relocate) and take the child with you, Washington State law may require you to do certain things first. Read this to learn what to do. #3135EN
Filing a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus
Blank forms to print and fill out on your own, with how-to instructions for completing and filing. Use this if you have a court order giving you custody of your child and the other parent or person claiming the right to legal custody has taken your child away from you. Read our resource The Other Parent has Taken My Child before using this. #3119EN
The Other Parent has Taken My Child
Read this if the other parent or person claiming the right to legal custody has taken your children away from you (with or without a court order). #3118EN