Washington family law resources
Free guides for parents in Washington parenting plan and support cases, with links to the official statewide forms
What do you need help with?
I want a parenting plan
Which petition fits your family: divorce, an existing parentage order or acknowledgment, or a parentage case
I was served with family law papers
The 20-day response deadline (60 days if served outside Washington) and the response forms
I want to change a parenting plan
Major and minor modifications under RCW 26.09.260 and the adequate cause step
I need child support or want it changed
The Washington State Child Support Schedule, the economic table, and modification
I have a hearing coming up
Temporary orders, commissioners and revision, and informal or traditional trials
I want to move with my child
The 60-day relocation notice and the 30-day objection in RCW 26.09.430 to 26.09.480
The other parent is not following the plan
Contempt under RCW 26.09.160 and enforcing child support
I need an emergency or temporary order
Immediate restraining orders and protection orders under chapter 7.105 RCW
The Family Court Playbook: Washington Edition
11 guides from start to finish
Step 1
How Family Court Works in Washington
The superior court as family court, commissioners and revision, facilitators, and the statewide pattern forms
Read guide →
Step 2
Parenting Plans and the Residential Schedule Factors in Washington
Decision-making, the residential schedule factors in RCW 26.09.187, and the limitations in RCW 26.09.191
Read guide →
Step 3
How to Ask for a Parenting Plan in Washington
The right petition, home state jurisdiction, the summons, and proposed parenting plans
Read guide →
Step 4
How to Change a Parenting Plan in Washington
Substantial change, the grounds in RCW 26.09.260, minor changes, and adequate cause
Read guide →
Step 5
Declarations Under Penalty of Perjury in Washington Family Court
Declarations under penalty of perjury in place of affidavits under GR 13 and chapter 5.50 RCW
Read guide →
Step 6
How to Prepare Evidence for a Washington Parenting Plan Case
The Rules of Evidence, hearsay, authenticating messages, discovery, and GAL reports
Read guide →
Step 7
How Child Support Is Calculated in Washington
Net income, the economic table, each parent’s share, limits, deviations, and modification
Read guide →
Step 8
The Financial Declaration and Support Worksheets in Washington
The Financial Declaration, tax returns and paystubs, sealed records, and worksheets
Read guide →
Step 9
How to Serve Family Law Papers in Washington
Who can serve, personal service, service by mail or publication, and proof of service
Read guide →
Step 10
Mediation, Dispute Resolution, and Parenting Seminars in Washington
Court mediation, the dispute resolution section of the plan, and parenting seminars
Read guide →
Step 11
What to Expect at Washington Family Law Hearings and Trial
Temporary orders, motion hearings, revision, informal trials, and appeal deadlines
Read guide →
More guides
Specific topics and situations
Relocation
The notice, the objection, and the rebuttable presumption in RCW 26.09.520
Read guide →
EnforcementEnforcing an order
Contempt of the residential schedule and how support orders are enforced
Read guide →
EmergencyEmergency relief
Immediate restraining orders, emergency parenting orders, and protection orders
Read guide →
Official Washington sources
Statewide family law forms
Washington Courts pattern forms for divorce, parentage, modification, relocation, and support
Courthouse facilitators
County programs that help self-represented parties with family law forms and procedures
Division of Child Support
DSHS child support services, payments, and enforcement
Protection order forms
Washington Courts forms for protection orders under chapter 7.105 RCW
Custody schedule builder
Lay out a custody schedule on a real calendar and count each parent’s overnights
Build a schedule →
Onbello is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. These guides are general legal information about Washington law and court rules, with sources listed on each page. Each county’s superior court also has its own local rules, so check with your county court as well.