Washington LawHelp

Get Started (5)+

• I Just Lost at an Eviction Hearing

  Use this if you went to an eviction hearing and lost. #6331EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Motion to Reinstate Tenancy under RCW 59.18.410(2) and for Order of Limited Dissemination Form

  Tenants getting evicted because they owe rent can pay what they owe in a lump sum and then use this sample Motion to ask a judge to reinstate their tenancy (and also limit the effect of the eviction court record). This is a new Motion allowed by RCW 59.18.410(2). #6334EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Motion to Stay Enforcement of Writ of Restitution and for Payment Plan Under RCW 59.18.410(3) Form

  Tenants getting evicted because they owe rent can use this sample Motion to ask a judge for payment plan (and stop the sheriff from enforcing a Writ of Restitution). This is a new Motion allowed by RCW 59.18.410(3). #6335EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Notice of Appearance - General Civil

  Court form for non family law civil cases. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project - CLEAR Intake Line

• The Sheriff Just Posted an Eviction Order on my Door

  If you got an eviction notice posted on your door, read this to learn about what might happen next (and when) after the sheriff posts an eviction notice on your door, what kinds of “appeals” are allowed after you lose at an eviction hearing, and how to get legal help after you get a sheriff’s notice. #6333EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

Get Ready for Court (5)+

• Depositions

  Read this if you are unrepresented in a civil law case and you are trying to gather info to get ready for a possible trial. #9929EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project - CLEAR Intake Line

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Eviction and Your Defense

  This explains the reasons why landlords can evict tenants and how the eviction process works. It tells you what you should do if your landlord tries to evict you. It will also help you defend yourself in court against an eviction if you cannot get a lawyer to represent you. Publication #6310EN. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project - CLEAR Intake Line

• Going to Your Unlawful Detainer (Eviction) Hearing

  Read this if your landlord gave you a Summons and Complaint for Unlawful Detainer, you have responded by submitting at least a Notice of Appearance and you plan to fight the eviction. #6315EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• How to Format Court Documents

  When you give documents to a Washington state court, it is important to format the documents correctly. This document outlines the rules you must follow. #9938EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• How to Protect Your Privacy in Court Files

  Explains statewide court rules that protect personal information in court files and includes forms that you can use in your family law case. Read More

  By:

  Legal Voice

I Need a Court Interpreter (2)+

• Interpreters for People with Limited English Proficiency

  Read this if you live in Washington, English is not your first language and you have trouble speaking or understanding English easily. Help may be available. #8902EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project - CLEAR Intake Line

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

  Vietnamese / Tiếng Việt

  Chinese / 中文

• The Right to Aids and Services For Deaf and Hard of Hearing People In Washington's Legal System

  This memo gives information about what help and services you can get as a Deaf or hard of hearing person in a court in Washington. Read More

  By:

  Legal Voice

Court Forms - listed alphabetically (9)+

• Declaration Form - General Civil

  Declaration for general civil court cases. This form is not for family law cases. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project - CLEAR Intake Line

• Eviction and Your Defense

  This explains the reasons why landlords can evict tenants and how the eviction process works. It tells you what you should do if your landlord tries to evict you. It will also help you defend yourself in court against an eviction if you cannot get a lawyer to represent you. Publication #6310EN. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project - CLEAR Intake Line

• I Just Lost at an Eviction Hearing

  Use this if you went to an eviction hearing and lost. #6331EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Motion to Reinstate Tenancy under RCW 59.18.410(2) and for Order of Limited Dissemination Form

  Tenants getting evicted because they owe rent can pay what they owe in a lump sum and then use this sample Motion to ask a judge to reinstate their tenancy (and also limit the effect of the eviction court record). This is a new Motion allowed by RCW 59.18.410(2). #6334EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Motion to Stay Enforcement of Writ of Restitution and for Payment Plan Under RCW 59.18.410(3) Form

  Tenants getting evicted because they owe rent can use this sample Motion to ask a judge for payment plan (and stop the sheriff from enforcing a Writ of Restitution). This is a new Motion allowed by RCW 59.18.410(3). #6335EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Notice of Appearance - General Civil

  Court form for non family law civil cases. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project - CLEAR Intake Line

• Subpoenaing Witnesses and Documents

  If you are going to a hearing or trial where you will be giving evidence AND you need to make sure that a witness shows up or that someone brings documents or other items, you can have the person served with a subpoena issued by the court clerk. Publication #9930EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project - CLEAR Intake Line

• The Sheriff Just Posted an Eviction Order on my Door

  If you got an eviction notice posted on your door, read this to learn about what might happen next (and when) after the sheriff posts an eviction notice on your door, what kinds of “appeals” are allowed after you lose at an eviction hearing, and how to get legal help after you get a sheriff’s notice. #6333EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Vacating (Canceling) a Judgment and Staying (Stopping) Enforcement of a Writ after You Defaulted in your Unlawful Detainer (Eviction) Case

  If you receive a judgment or a writ of restitution and you believe you had a good reason for not responding to the eviction summons or appearing at the show cause hearing, you may ask the court to vacate (or withdraw) the judgment and stay (or temporarily stop) the eviction. #6314EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project - CLEAR Intake Line

Court Information - listed alphabetically (7)+

• Guide to Washington Courts

  An overview of the Washington court system. Read More

  By:

  Administrative Office Of The Courts

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Mediation: Should I Use It?

  Mediation is an informal way to resolve disputes without going to court. The parties attempt to negotiate a mutually agreeable settlement with the help of a neutral mediator. Mediation can be used in many types of disputes. #3226EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project - CLEAR Intake Line

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

  Russian / Pусский

• Self-Represented Persons in Superior Court Civil Proceedings

  Understanding and making your way through the court process is not easy and can be quite frustrating, especially for those handling their own legal representation (pro se litigants). There are extensive state and local court rules (see E. 7) and everyone appearing before the Superior Court is expected to follow them. While a one-page handout can never tell you everything you need to know, the following will hopefully be of benefit in clarifying a few of the mysteries of representing yourself. Read More

  By:

  Administrative Office of the Courts

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Video - Myths and Misperceptions About the Washington Courts

  A video from Washington's judicial branch challenges some mistaken ideas about how courts work by using real person-on-the-street interviews and responses from judges and justices. Read More

  By:

  Washington Courts

• Video - Your Day in Court: How to Make Sure Your Voice is Heard in King County

  A short video and manual covering the basics of representing yourself in court. Read More

  By:

  King County Superior Court

• Washington Court Rules

  State and local court rules for Washington. Read More

  By:

  Administrative Office of the Courts

• What are Working Copies?

  When you “file” documents with a court, you give the court documents for processing. Often you also need to give a court “working copies” of the same documents. The judge or commissioner will use these extra copies to prepare for your case. That way the court does not need to make copies itself. #9952EN Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project - CLEAR Intake Line

Legal Research (3)+

• Revised Code of Washington (RCW)

  Searchable text of Washington laws: the Revised Code of Washington (RCW). Read More

  By:

  Washington State Legislature

• Washington Administrative Code (WAC)

  Regulations of executive branch agencies are issued by authority of statutes. Like legislation and the Constitution, regulations are a source of primary law in Washington State. The WAC codifies the regulations and arranges them by subject or agency. Read More

  By:

  Washington State Legislature

• Washington State Supreme Court Opinions

  Searchable database of Washington Supreme and Appellate court decisions. Read More

  By:

  Administrative Office of the Courts

Working with a Lawyer (1)+

• Working with a Lawyer

  This memo will help you learn how to find a lawyer and how to work effectively with one. Read More

  By:

  Legal Voice

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

  Russian / Pусский