Self-Represented Party

How to Find an Attorney or Legal Assistance

If you don’t have an attorney or are new to the court and are trying to learn what to do, please review the information below.

If your child has been removed from your home by the state because of allegations of abuse or neglect, the Parents 4 Parents Program can help you understand the Dependency Court process. The program will connect you with parents who have been through the dependency system and gotten their children back.

Dependency Court Information

If you don’t have an attorney or are new to the court and are trying to learn what to do, please review the information below.

File a case
If you want to file a family law case and you don't have an attorney, the following court programs may be helpful to you:

Family Law Facilitator's Office. Contact this office if you don't have an attorney. They can give you the necessary forms and tell you how to file your action with the court. If you need immediate access to Court Forms, please use this link.
Family Law Orientation. If you don't have an attorney, you must attend this class within 30 days after filing your action with the court.

Get Help with Child Support
If you need assistance with a child support action, the following programs may be helpful to you:

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. Contact this office if you need assistance paying or collecting administrative or court-ordered child support.
Family Law Support Division – Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney. Contact this office if you need assistance with a paternity action (for people who do not have an affidavit/acknowledgement of paternity) and for help reviewing child support orders if you have received, or are receiving, public assistance.
To estimate the amount of child support that might be ordered, you can go to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services-Division of Child Support by clicking here.
The Court Facilitator at the Clerk's Office can also assist you to prepare the child support worksheets and order for a small fee. For more information click here.

Learn about the Family Law Process
These written resources may help you understand the divorce process in Washington State.

Other Resources
Finally, if you are looking for legal assistance for a family law matter, the list of resources below may be helpful to you.

Northwest Justice Project CLEAR Hotline
Low income parties may receive legal advice and referrals by phone. For more information:
888-201-1014 (9:15am – 12:15pm)
888-387-7111 Persons 60 years old and over regardless of income

Sound Legal Aid
Sound Legal Aid helps you resolve your own civil legal issue by giving you legal advice at one of their clinics. You leave the clinic with a list of next steps. Sometimes, they have attorneys who are willing to represent you in court. Usually this is for evictions in Thurston County, but occasionally for other types of civil legal issues. For more information:

360-705-8194
844-211-6916 (toll free)

Washington Law Help
Website with hundreds of free legal education materials, including self-help packets, available for viewing and downloading.

WSBA Moderate Means Program

The Moderate Means Program is a partnership between the Washington State Bar Association and Washington’s three law schools, connecting people within 200–400% of the Federal Poverty Level to lawyers who offer legal help at reduced fees. For more information:
855-741-693

If you are facing eviction, the Housing Justice Project, sponsored by the Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services, may be able to assist you. This program serves low-income landlords and tenants in Thurston County.

Northwest Justice Project CLEAR Hotline
Low income parties may receive legal advice and referrals by phone. For more information:

888-201-1014 (9:15 am – 12:15 pm)
888-387-7111 Persons 60 years old and over regardless of income

For more information, please visit the Unlawful Detainer (Evictions) section of our website.

The following organizations provide free or reduced-cost legal assistance or may be able to assist you in finding answers to questions about your legal matter.

General Assistance

Northwest Justice Project (NJP). Provides free civil (non-criminal) legal services to low-income residents of Thurston County. Interpreters are provided to those who do not speak English or who are hearing impaired. Help is available in the following areas: family law (for domestic violence survivors), housing law, consumer law, education, public benefits, and in some limited circumstances, immigration. Please note that case acceptance is dependent on office priorities, staff availability, and the merit of each case. Services, especially representation by an attorney, may not be available even if all case criteria are met.

888-201-1014 (9:15 am – 12:15 pm)
888-387-7111 Persons 60 years old and over regardless of income
https://nwjustice.org/clear-hotline

Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services (TCVLS) . Promotes access to justice through the coordinated efforts of trained volunteers and community partners. TCVLS strives to enable low-income clients to resolve their civil legal problems by providing legal advice, information, and direct representation in a manner sensitive to individuals and their legal needs.

360-705-8194 or 844-211-6916 (toll free)
Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services - Visit Site (tcvls.org)

Self-Help Services

Washington LawHelp Website. Hundreds of free legal education materials and Do-It-Yourself Forms available for viewing and downloading.

Domestic Violence Resources

How to Present a Request to Modify or Rescind a No-Contact Order in a Criminal Case

Community Resources (Green Sheet)

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