Are you representing yourself in a trial in family court?
Click on the link below to see a step-by-step, easy to follow presentation created by the Pierce County Coordinated Family Law Project on how to get prepared and participate successfully in your trial.
How to Prepare for and Participate in a Domestic Trial
Did you find this material on trial preparation useful? Please take a moment to fill out this survey to help us improve our resources:
LINKS TO OTHER FAMILY LAW RESOURCES:
Forms
Many family law forms are standardized and available online. They are listed by subject matter, including domestic violence protection order forms and family law forms. See here:
Washington State Courts – Court Forms – List of All Forms
Filing Using LINX
Pierce County uses an electronic filing system called LINX. Electronic filing is generally more convenient and can avoid any complications associated with filing in person while COVID-19 restrictions are in place. See here to apply
for a LINX account using the
“Self Represented Party Account Setup”
Mandatory Parenting Seminar
If you have a family law case involving custody of children, Pierce County local rules require you to attend a mandatory parenting seminar and file proof of completion within 60 days of service of the petitioner/motion starting your
case. The fee is up to $60 and many providers offer waivers. See here for a list of approved providers.
Approved-Parenting-Seminar-Providers- (pierce.wa.us)
Uncontested (Agreed) Divorces
If you and the other party agree to all terms of a dissolution, see here for information on finalizing your divorce:
Microsoft Word – Uncontested Disso Info – FINAL – 2018-02-14.docx (pierce.wa.us)
Child Support Calculator
If you are curious about what the amount of child support may be, use DCS’s calculator here:
Quick Child Support Estimator (wa.gov). If you need help filling out the child support worksheets as part of your case (required in most cases involving custody), use the automated calculator here:
Disclaimer (wa.gov)
Division of Child Support
You may ask the court or the Division of Child Support (DCS) to set/modify child support. DCS may be able to set child support faster than the courts and with fewer complications than a court hearing, but both methods have advantages.
See here:
Division of Child Support | DSHS (wa.gov)