Family Law hearings have primarily been limited to emergency matters since mid-March 2020. The Court is now shifting to teleconferences and video hearings, or to hearing motions without oral argument provided both parties agree. Family law hearings in King County
WHEN WILL MY CASE BE COMPLETED?
AN ORDER SETTING CASE SCHEDULE is provided by the Clerk of Courts when a case is filed in King County. It provides a trial date, the name of an assigned trial judge, and deadlines for actions required between filing and
HOW DO I START MY CASE?
PROTECTION ORDER (DOMESTIC VIOLENCE) CASES may be started at the courthouse with help from a Domestic Violence (DV) Advocate. If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can complete a form asking the court to waive it. OTHER FAMILY LAW
WHAT IF I AM A GRANDPARENT OR OTHER NON-PARENT TAKING CARE OF A CHILD OR WANTING TO SEE A CHILD AND THE PARENTS WILL NOT LET ME?
You may be able to file a Non-Parental Custody Petition to establish custody and request child support from either/both parent(s), depending upon the circumstances. Starting in 2021, Non-Parental Custody Petitions will be replaced by Petitions for Legal Guardianship. (RCW 11.130.190)
WHAT IF THE PARENTING PLAN ENTERED DURING THE DIVORCE BECOMES UNWORKABLE?
The basic presumption is that the court shall not modify a Final Parenting Plan – which is why you want to make certain you are satisfied with the written terms in a Final Parenting Plan, but there are exceptions. A
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY EX-SPOUSE WANTS TO MOVE OUR CHILD(REN)?
The parent seeking relocation of the children out of the school district is required to give written notice to the other parent. A summary of the relocation laws are contained in the Parenting Plan form. Relocation may mean a move
IF I HAVE LOST MY JOB, MY EX-SPOUSE HAS REMARRIED OR SOMETHING ELSE HAS CHANGED, WHAT CAN I DO?
You can file a Petition to Modify Child Support if there has been a significant change of circumstances, even if the Order was adjusted within the last two years. This process is a bit more complex and longer than the
IF I HAVE AN ORDER OF CHILD SUPPORT FROM YEARS BACK, HOW CAN I UPDATE IT?
Most Orders of Child Support include an Adjustment paragraph. Even if that paragraph simply says “per statute” the law allows for child support to be adjusted every two years by filing a Motion to Adjust Child Support in Family Court.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I GET STATE AID FOR MYSELF AND MY CHILD?
The State will take action to collect child support from the other parent. In effect, the State wants to be reimbursed for that State Aid. Both parents are financially responsible for their child.
WHAT IF WE HAVE A CHILD TOGETHER, BUT WE ARE NOT MARRIED?
You may file a Petition for Establishment of Parentage and within that case, enter a Parenting Plan (or a simpler, Order Re Residential Schedule) and an Order of Child Support. If both parents have agreed that they are the parents,