Listing of self-help materials and informational publications.
There are 21 resources
Basic Tips on How to Prepare for a Court Hearing or Trial
3210EN - Tips on how to prepare for a hearing.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
Cowlitz County - Filing a Motion In Forma Pauperis (Waiver of Filing Fee) 3227EN - This packet can be used to request a fee waiver in Cowlitz County only.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Criminal History/Records: When and How to Seal/Vacate Non-Violent Class B or C Felony Convictions This publication provides information and forms on how to vacate and seal records concerning certain non-violent Class B or C felony convictions in Washington State occurring on/after July 1, 1984. Download the pdf file to use the forms.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Depositions (for unrepresented parties)
(Separate Website)
This memo provides an overview of what depositions are, how to schedule them and tips for answering questions at a deposition.
By: Legal Voice
Family Law Court Records and Your Privacy
(Separate Website)
Explains statewide court rules that protect personal information in court files and includes forms that you can use in your family law case.
By: Legal Voice
Filing a Motion to Proceed In Forma Pauperis (Waiver of Filing Fee) 3204EN - This packet includes the instructions and forms needed to ask the court to waive (not ask for) the filing fee required to file for divorce. These forms are generic. Some counties require that you file forms that our specific to that county. Call your county clerk and ask before filling out the forms included in this packet.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
Word File
Formatting Court Documents
(Separate Website)
Explains court rules about margins, stapling and other formatting of documents that you file with the court and what may happen if you don?t follow these rules.
By: Legal Voice
How to Serve Papers on the Other Party in a Family Law Case When you file a family law case, you must make sure that a copy of the petition, summons, and other papers you are filing are delivered to the person you are filing the case against (?the other party?) in a legally correct way.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
How to Serve Papers on the State 3218EN - When you set or change child support, you must notify the State if you, the other parent, or the children receive public assistance. This packet contains the forms and instructions for serving your court papers on the state.
By: Northwest Justice Project
How to Subpoena Witnesses and Documents
If you are going to an evidentiary hearing or trial and 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. This publication tells you how to do this.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Other Formats:
PDF File
How to Write a Declaration in a Family Law Case 3917EN - This publication tell you what a declaration is, what should be included and tips on how to write one. There is a family law declaration and forms attached that you can fill out.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Mediation: Should I Use It?
(Separate Website)
3226EN - 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.
By: Legal Voice
Read this in:
Spanish / Español
Motion to Vacate Judgment/Order in a Family Law Case 3215EN - A Motion To Vacate is a request to the court to withdraw a previous order or judgment it entered.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Name Change 3400EN - In Washington State, any person over eighteen years of age can choose and use any name he or she wishes as long as the purpose of the change in the name is not to defraud another. For example, it is not legal to change names to avoid creditors or to escape obligations such as child support. Changing your name is legal and relatively easy to accomplish. This publication describes the process.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Read this in:
Russian / Pусский
,
Spanish / Español
Service by Certified Mail or Publication 3220EN - This packet applies when you are the petitioner and you must serve the opposing party with the petition and other documents in your case when your case first begins. When you have tried to serve the other party in person but cannot, you can ask the court to allow you to serve by certified mail or publication.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Skagit County: In Forma Pauperis Forms (Waiver of Filing Fee) If you have a very low income, you may try to have the court waive your filing fee in a family law case. These forms are for Skagit County only.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Tips on How to Get Your Paperwork Ready So You Can Get Help with Your Family Law Case
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
Other Formats:
PDF File
Washington Court Rules
(Separate Website)
By: Administrative Office Of The Courts
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
Working with the Cowlitz County Superior Court Clerks If you're filing or otherwise involved in a court case in Cowlitz County, this publication will provide you with helpful information that so that you can file papers and appear for court faster and more easily.
By: Northwest Justice Project
Your Day in Court: How to Make Sure Your Voice is Heard in King County
(Separate Website)
A short flash video covering the basics of how to representing yourself in a lawsuit.
By: King County Superior Court
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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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