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How-to resources for Family Law
The Family Law how-to's are not legal advice. If you need to consult with an attorney, you may wish to contact the King County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service to receive an attorney referral.
The Facilitator's Office provides instruction packets to assist with filing court forms in the general topic areas listed below.
Blank copies of standard Court forms are available in both Word and PDF formats at: www.courts.wa.gov/forms
Specific forms required by King County Local Rules may be accessed at Superior Court Forms - King County, Washington.
If you have questions about which forms you should use, or how to obtain forms, please contact the Family Law Facilitators Office at Family Law Facilitators - King County, Washington.
A restraining order is different from a civil protection order:
- Visit the King County Superior Court Clerk's Office webpage for information on filing a civil protection order.
- If you are looking for restraining order instructions, use the links below.
Ending a marriage
How to ask for or respond to a request for a divorce, legal separation, or marriage annulment. Includes how to convert a legal separation to a divorce.
Parenting plans and child support (including Changing an Existing Parenting Plan/Child Support Order)
How to create a custody schedule or change an existing Superior Court Parenting Plan or Child Support Order. Includes how to respond to a Petition to start a Parenting Plan or Child Support, and information about establishing Adequate Cause for modification.
Relocate with children
How to move with children, or object to a proposed move, under the relocation statute. Includes how to ask for a temporary order allowing or preventing a proposed move.
Serve documents
How to properly serve, or give, the other party documents for your court case by delivery, mail, or publication.
Motions and other orders
How to file a general Family Law Motion, motion in front of a judge, Motion for Default, Motion to Dismiss a case, and Motion to Register an Out of State Custody Order. Includes instructions for temporary orders, restraining orders (NOT Protection Orders), and how to challenge (Motion for Reconsideration or Revision), enforce (Motion for Contempt or to Enforce), or Vacate an order.
Trial Preparation
How to prepare for an Informal or Formal trial in Family Law court. Includes instructions and required forms.
Minor Guardianship
How to create, contest, or respond to minor guardianships for those under 18-years-old. Includes instructions for Emergency Minor Guardianship (120 day maximum), Minor Guardianship (until the child turns 18), and Motion for Immediate Minor Guardianship (where the health/safety of the child is at imminent risk).
Adult Guardianship
How to start or close a legal guardianship case for a person over the age of 18. Includes instructions for what to do after you have been appointed and how to complete periodic (annual/bi-annual, or tri-annual) guardianship reports.