Washington LawHelp

General Info (6)+

• Changing a Parenting Plan/Child Custody Order

  Read this if you want to change a final court order that sets out where your child lives and with whom s/he visits. This order might be a Custody Decree or Order, Residential Schedule, or Parenting Plan. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

  Russian / Pусский

  Chinese / 中文

• 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. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Parentage and Parenting Plans for Unmarried Parents in Washington

  This publication should help you 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. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Parenting Plans: General Info

  This provides general information about what a parenting plan is and how to get one. It also explains how to enforce or change a permanent parenting plan. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Services for Family Court Cases in WA

  3246EN - Many superior courts have family law court facilitator programs to help you represent yourself in court and parenting seminars you must attend in certain family law cases. If you do not get help from a lawyer, you may be able to from a facilitator. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• The Other Parent has Taken My Child

  3118EN - 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). Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

Changing Your Parenting Plan, Residential Schedule or Custody Decree (1)+

• Filing for Temporary Family Law Orders: Divorce Cases and Petition to Change Parenting Plan Cases

  This packet will help you ask the court for Temporary Orders. Temporary Orders give you certain rights and/or protections after your family law case has started, but before it is finalized. Either petitioner or respondent may file such a motion. Motions for Temporary Family Law Orders can include orders related to issues including finances, property, maintenance (alimony), safety, child support, parenting plans, and Guardians ad Litem. Packet 3217EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

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

Out-of-State Orders (2)+

• Filing a Petition to Enforce an Out-of-State Custody Order

  3942EN - Use this packet if you have a custody order from another state, you have not registered it in Washington, and you need to take some quick action on your custody order here in Washington state, including getting a hearing as soon as you can. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• How Do I Register an Out-of-State Custody Order in Washington?

  3940EN - This self-help packet contains the necessary forms for individuals who have a custody order from another state and want it to have full effect in Washington. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

Relocation (1)+

• 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. This publication briefly explains the law's requirements. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

Writ of Habeas Corpus (2)+

• Filing a Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  Use this packet 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 packet. #3119EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• The Other Parent has Taken My Child

  3118EN - 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). Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project