Lawyers & Resources — Get Help.

Northwest Justice Project (NJP) — Washington's statewide free legal aid program:

• nwjustice.org
• CLEAR Hotline: 1-888-201-1014 (toll-free, Mon–Fri 8am–6pm)
• Serves low-income families with civil legal problems
• Family safety is a priority area
• Inside King County: call 211 for legal referral and information

Other free resources:

• Washington Law Help — free legal info, guides, self-help forms (maintained by NJP)
• Court Facilitators — most counties have facilitators who help with paperwork (limited assistance, not legal advice). Fees vary (~$20/30 min).
• County Bar Associations — many offer free legal clinics or volunteer lawyer programs

Washington State Bar Association (WSBA):

• WSBA — Find Legal Help
• WSBA Legal Directory — search by practice area, license type, county
• County Bar Associations — local referral services

Referral services by county:

• King County Bar Association — legal clinics and referrals
• Tacoma-Pierce County Bar — volunteer legal services
• Spokane County Bar — Volunteer Lawyers Program

Washington does NOT have formal board certification for legal specialists. The WSBA does not certify family law specialists.

What to look for instead:

• AAML membership — American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (prestigious, by invitation only)
• WSBA Family Law Section — membership shows focus on family law
• Years of family law experience — ask how many parenting plan cases they've handled
• Familiarity with your county's Superior Court — local experience matters
• Client reviews and peer recommendations

• Hourly rate: $250–$500/hour (Seattle area: $350–$450/hour)
• Uncontested case: $2,500–$5,000 total
• Contested parenting plan trial: $15,000–$50,000+ per party
• Retainer: $3,000–$10,000+ for contested cases
• Limited representation: Some attorneys offer unbundled services (e.g., document review, coaching) at lower cost
• Free consultation: Many attorneys offer a free initial consultation — ask

• Ask about parenting plan experience — not just "family law" but specifically RCW 26.09 parenting plans
• Ask about the 7 best interests factors — a good attorney can recite them and explain how they apply to your case
• Ask about HB 1620 changes — "abusive use of conflict" and professional supervision presumption (July 2025)
• Ask about EHB 1014 child support reform — the $50,000 income cap and new PFML/WA Cares deductions
• Ask about GAL experience — how they work with Guardian ad Litems
• Ask about relocation cases — RCW 26.09.405–560, 60-day notice, 11 factors
• Ask about their strategy for your case — what's the plan? What outcome do they expect?

• Washington State Courts — Forms — all family law forms, free
• Washington Law Help — guides, instructions, self-help
• Parentage (Unmarried Parents) forms
• Court Facilitators — most counties offer limited help with paperwork (~$20/30-min appointment)
• Fee Waiver Guide (GR 34)

The Division of Child Support (DCS) handles enforcement for both administrative and court-ordered support:

• DCS website
• Enforcement tools: Income withholding, tax refund interception, license suspension, liens, bank account seizure, passport denial, contempt
• Washington State Support Registry (WSSR) — processes payments
• Modification: DCS can review if there's a significant difference (generally 15%+) between current order and what would be ordered under current circumstances

• WA DV Hotline: 1-800-562-6025 (24/7)
• National DV Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 or text START to 88788
• Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV)
• 64+ local DV programs statewide — find your county at wscadv.org
• How to file for a Protection Order — Washington Law Help

County-dependent — not a statewide mandate. Many counties require a parenting seminar before finalizing divorce with children.

• Typically 4 hours, $50–$100
• Online options available (~$25–$60) — check county acceptance
• Course For Parents (WA) — $25 online
• Covers co-parenting communication and effects of divorce/separation on children