Washington LawHelp

The Basics (13)+

• 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 they visit. 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

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): Tips for Phone and Video Hearings

  How to get ready for and conduct yourself during a remote hearing (conducted over the phone or by video-conference). #9961EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• COVID-19 and Family Law Cases: General Information

  Read this if you have a pending family law case or are considering filing a new family law case. #3282EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Getting Ready for a Settlement Conference

  Read this to learn why you should go to your settlement conference, what will happen there, and what happens if you do not settle. #3911EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• How Do I Request a Copy of my Washington State Acknowledgment of Parentage?

  How to get a copy of a Paternity Affidavit, Paternity Acknowledgment, or Acknowledgment of Paternity (all the same thing). #3612EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• How to Become a Legal Parent in Washington

  Washington law provides several ways for people raising children together to become legal parents. This publication covers: 1. Legal parentage; 2. Becoming a legal parent; 3. Other options for people who are not legal parents; 4. Parenting after divorce/separation; and 5. Resources Read More

  By:

  Legal Voice

• Immigration Status and Court Hearings in Washington State

  Questions and answers about when and how the court can ask about your immigration status. #8110EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• 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

• 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. #3660EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• 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 Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• 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

• Should You File for 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 Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Washington Parenting Law for Unmarried Couples

  Basic information about Washington State law that applies to parenting when unmarried couples separate. #3912EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

Guardians ad litem / evaluators (3)+

• 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. This packet has the necessary forms and instructions. #3103EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project - CLEAR Intake Line

• 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 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. #3111EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

Serving Papers (1)+

• Serving Papers on the State

  Blank forms to print and fill out on your own, with how-to instructions for completing and filing. If you, the other parent, or the children receive public assistance, use this packet to notify the State when you set or change child support. #3218EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project