Listing of self-help materials and informational publications.
There are 15 resources
Information on the Law
Nonparental Custody of a Child: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers 3100EN - This publication gives general information about two methods which may be used under Washington law for a person to have custody of a child not their own. One method is a nonparental custody action filed in court under Ch. 26.10 RCW and the second method, available only in agreed cases, is a Temporary Parental Consent Agreement.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Which Court Has the Right to Enter a Custody Order? Questions and Answers about Jurisdiction 3102EN - These questions and answers describe when a Washington court may decide custody if a child has lived in more than one state, should enforce (follow) custody/visitation orders from other states, or may modify (change) custody/visitation orders from other states.
By: Northwest Justice Project
How to Withdraw a Joinder in a Family Law Case Parties to a family law court case may sign a form called a Joinder to show the court that they're in agreement as to all the issues that a court must rule on in that case. If you signed this form but later decide that you are not in agreement, use this packet to file a withdrawal of the joinder.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Tips on How to Get 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.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Working With GALs and Parenting Evaluators: Tips for Parents in Family Law Cases
3106EN - If you are involved in a divorce, paternity or nonparental 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.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
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Spanish / Español
New Court Rule: Filing Fee Waiver On December 28, 2010, Washington's state courts adopted General Rule 34 (GR 34). This rule establishes who is eligible for a waiver of the filing fee to begin your civil case and other, mandatory charges.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Filing a Nonparental Custody Case 3112EN - You may use this packet to file a case in superior court to ask for custody of a child when you are not the child's parent.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Filing a Motion for Emergency Orders in a Nonparental Custody Case 3124EN - A Motion for an Emergency Order is officially called a Motion for an Ex Parte Restraining Order/Order to Show Cause. It is a way for you or another party to ask the court to enter a court order that gives you certain rights and/or protections in your case between the time your case is filed and the date it is finished. The main difference between this type of motion and a Motion for Temporary Orders is that you use it in an emergency.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Filing a Motion for Temporary Orders in a Nonparental Custody Case 3123EN -A Motion for Temporary Orders is one way to ask the court to enter an order that gives you certain rights and/or protections after your case has been filed, but before it?s finished. Either the petitioner or respondent may file a motion. Motions for Temporary Orders can cover issues such as temporary child support, temporary custody, temporary visitation, safety restraints, or custody investigations while the case is pending.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Residential Schedules and Child Support for Nonparental Custody Cases 3116EN - Petitioners and Respondents in a nonparental custody action may use this packet if they need to fill out Child Support Worksheets, Financial Declarations, Sealed Financial Records Cover Sheet to go with private financial records, Child Support Orders, and Proposed Temporary and/or Final Residential Schedules.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Responding to Temporary or Emergency Orders for Nonparental Custody Cases 3125EN - This packet's intended to help you fill out and file the forms and papers you need to respond to a Motion for Temporary Orders or a Motion for an Ex Parte Restraining Order/Order to Show Cause filed in a nonparental custody case. Use this packet only to respond to these motions.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Responding to a Petition for Nonparental Custody 3113EN - This packet is intended to help you respond if you were served with a petition for nonparental custody. A petition for nonparental custody asks a court to give the petitioner permanent legal custody of the child/ren named in the petition.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Finishing Your Nonparental Custody Case 3114EN - This packet contains information and forms to finish a nonparental custody case. Most of the instructions are written from the petitioner’s point of view because the petitioner typically prepares the final court papers if s/he is receiving custody of the child/ren, or if s/he chooses to drop the case. However, the general information about how to finish a case can be useful to both parties. In addition, a respondent might use some of the forms in this packet if s/he wins at trial or if the case is dismissed before trial.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Guardian Ad Litems in Family Law Cases A judge may appoint a guardian ad litem (GAL) when a court case involves custody or visitation rights.
By: Northwest Justice Project
How Do I "Do Discovery"? Help with Interrogatories and Requests for Production in Family Law Cases Use this publication if: you are a party in a contested family law case ("contested" means you and the other party disagree about issues) AND you want or need to get more information from the other party about his/her side of the issues.
By: Northwest Justice Project
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Washington LawHelp is provided as a public service by the Northwest Justice Project in collaboration with other legal aid providers in the Alliance for Equal Justice and Washington courts.
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