Washington LawHelp

General Info (8)+

• 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. #3104EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

  Russian / Pусский

  Chinese / 中文

• 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

• 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 Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Parentage and Parenting Plans

  This 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. #3601EN 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

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

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• 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 Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• 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 Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

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

Planning for Death (1)+

• 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 Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

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 explains the law's requirements. #3135EN 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

Writ of Habeas Corpus (2)+

• 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 Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• 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 Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project