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

• How do I Request a Copy of My Paternity Affidavit?

  3612EN - A Paternity Affidavit (also known as a Paternity Acknowledgment or Acknowledgment of Paternity) is a special form typically used by unmarried parents to state who the father of the child is. This publication gives you instructions on how to get a copy. 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. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• My Legal Rights: I was Raped and Got Pregnant

  A new Washington state law fixes a gap that forced some mothers to co-parent a child conceived from a rape. Publication #3160EN 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

• Video - Establishing Paternity in Washington State - Acknowledgement Form

  Establishing parentage means determining who is the legal parent of a child. This 10 minute video explaning basic questions and answers about paternity. Read More

  By:

  Division of Child Support

  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

Videos (1)+

• Video - Establishing Paternity in Washington State - Acknowledgement Form

  Establishing parentage means determining who is the legal parent of a child. This 10 minute video explaning basic questions and answers about paternity. Read More

  By:

  Division of Child Support

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español