Family Law Facilitators
Update from Family Court regarding Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Activities
FLIC Office Hours
The Family Law Information Center is assisting people by phone only. If you need assistance please call our office from 8:30 am to 12:00 noon at:
206-263-FLIC (3542)
When calling, have your case number ready so Facilitators can efficiently serve you. Facilitators may ask you to call back if you have a case number but do not have it ready.
Important! We are experiencing high call volumes and long wait times. Many questions can be answered by looking at the following webpages:
- Family law Instructions can be downloaded at: https://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/superior-court/family.aspx The instructions will guide you through how to file most family law cases and motions.
- Family Law Forms can be downloaded at: http://www.courts.wa.gov/forms/
- Additional information that may be helpful is at https://www.washingtonlawhelp.org/. There are instructions on how to fill out forms and information about attorney referrals.
Final Decree/Finalizing by Agreement
If you are self-represented and want to finalize your case by agreement or default (where other party has NOT appeared), you must work with the facilitators to finalize your case. To finalize your case by agreement or default:
Email your final documents to: Facilitators@kingcounty.gov. When emailing the Facilitators make sure:
- The subject of your email includes your King County Case Number (ex. Finalizing 20-3-12345-6 SEA or KNT)
- Attachments are in WORD, PDF, or JPEG format
- You include a Declaration in Lieu of Formal Proof form. This form allows Facilitators to finalize your case for you. Only ONE party needs to fill out and sign.
4. You include all proposed final orders and they are completed and signed. If you have questions about what forms are needed to finalize your case please look at: Can the Facilitators Help Me Finalize my Case?
IMPORTANT! Cases are often delayed because forms are not signed or filled out completely.
5. You include a phone number or email address where you can be reached directly.
Once a Facilitator has reviewed your documents, they will provide corrections or an update. DO NOT call or email for an update unless it has been two weeks since you have heard a response.
You may also MAIL OR DROP OFF your completed and signed proposed final orders to either the Seattle or Kent offices. Please write ATTENTION: FACILITATORS and include a letter stating why you are dropping off documents to the Facilitators. For example, “Included in this packet are my final documents to finalize my family law case. My contact information is…” Any forms delivered without this information will be returned.
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ATTN: FACILITATORS |
ATTN: FACILITATORS 401 Fourth Avenue, Room 3-D Kent, Washington 98032 DROP OFF PAPERWORK: Facilitator Box at 2-D |
ATTORNEYS AND LEGAL PROFESSIONALS: The Family Law Facilitators do NOT assist attorneys or family law cases with an attorney. For instructions on how to finalize family law cases with an attorney, visit: https://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/superior-court/ex-parte-probate.aspx. Voicemails and emails from legal professionals seeking information will not be returned.
June 7, 2021
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). As of 4/1/2021, new applications for the Simple Divorce program will not be accepted; we hope to offer an improved program to assist agreed cases soon. At this time, to finalize your agreed case, please review the instructions here. If you have already submitted an application, we will review it and contact you regarding your eligibility.
- 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.
- 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)