Family Law Facilitators
Update from Family Court regarding Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Activities
FLIC Office Hours
The Family Law Information Center will be closed until further notice for in-person walk-in hours and questions. We will be assisting people by phone only. If you need assistance please call our office from 8:30 am to 12:00 noon.
- For Kent Cases call: 206-477-2781
- For Seattle cases call: 206-477-2553
We will be answering as many calls as staffing allows.
Please note that most of the family law instructions describing how to file a case or a motion are available at https://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/superior-court/family.aspx. The instructions also contain hyperlinks to required forms. You can also download most of the mandatory family law forms at http://www.courts.wa.gov/forms/. These forms and instructions are free.
You may also visit https://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/resource/washington-forms-online where some case types and motions can be created through interactive interviews.
Final Decree/Finalizing by Agreement
All in person final decree hearings are suspended. If you are self-represented and want to finalize your case by agreement, you must email your proposed final orders to facilitators@kingcounty.gov. Facilitators will work with the Ex Parte Commissioners to finalize your documents or give you instructions on what to do next.
Please include in your email a phone number where you can be reached.
If you cannot email your documents or have other questions please call 206-477-2781 (Kent cases) or 206-477-2553 (Seattle cases) between 8:30 am and 12:00 noon.
Default final orders: Beginning June 8, 2020, you can submit motions for default that do not require notice to the Ex Parte Department via Ex Parte via the Clerk. Beginning June 19th the court will begin hearing motions for default that do require notice. If you must note a hearing with notice to the other party because the other party has appeared in the case but has not filed a response, there is a separate calendar on Friday at 1:30 pm in front of the Chief UFC Judge. This calendar will occur from June 19th to at least July 17th. Self-represented parties should talk with the facilitator about how to note these default hearings. The Notice of Court Date for that calendar can be found HERE.
May 29, 2020
King County Courthouse (Seattle)
516 Third Avenue, Room W-382
Seattle, Washington 98104
(206) 477-2553
Maleng Regional Justice Center (Kent)
401 Fourth Avenue, Room 3-D
Kent, Washington 98032
(206) 477-2781
About the Family Law Facilitator Program
- Only people who are not represented by attorneys
- Only people who know what kind of legal action they need
- Only people involved in family law actions such as:
- Divorce/Legal Separation
- Family Law Motions
- Child Support Modifications
- Establishing a Parenting Plan
- Non Parental Custody
- Invalidity/Annulment
- Temporary Orders
- Parenting Plan Modifications
- Child Support Adjustment
- Restraining Orders
- Provide information on how to start certain family law actions
- Provide information on what forms are needed and where to get them
- Provide information on court rules, procedures, and case schedules
- Review forms after you fill them out to make sure they are complete
- Provide information on other court and community resources
- Provide written instructions at no cost for many family law actions
- Provide limited referrals for legal consultation for low income unrepresented litigants
- Assist people who are represented by attorneys
- Assist people who are uncertain what kind of legal action they need
- Provide legal advice
- Fill out your papers for you or tell you how to fill them out
- Assist people with:
- Adoptions
- Bankruptcy
- Criminal Charges
- Domestic Violence Protection Orders
- Juvenile Dependency
- Name Changes
- Parentage
- Traffic Citations
- Will and Probate Matters
- Divorce Roadmap. If you do not have an attorney and you are confused about how the divorce process works in King County, click here for a brief informational presentation on filing for divorce.
- Simple Dissolution (Divorce). The Simple Dissolution program is intended for agreed parties without minor children. If you have already filed your divorce case and would like assistance with preparation of final orders, you may qualify for this program. Please review the attached materials for more information.
- Non-Parental Navigation. If you do not have an attorney and you are seeking custody of a child or children of whom you are not the parent, click here for a brief informational presentation.
- Family Law Instructions. These sets of instructions can help you file and manage your own family law action.
- Family Law Legal Resources. These free or low-cost legal assistance organizations may be able to help you with your family law action.
- King County Local Rules. Local court rules provide guidance for your interactions with the court.
- Learn about the Family Law Information Center on King County TV. (Video posted on YouTube)
- Family Law Resource List