How many custody & visitation resources are in Washington?

Women's Corner tracks 17 custody & visitation resources for women in Washington.

Are custody & visitation resources in Washington free?

17 of the 17 listed custody & visitation resources in Washington are explicitly free or low-cost.

Which cities in Washington have custody & visitation resources?

Listings span cities including Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Bellevue, Vancouver, Olympia.

What are some examples of custody & visitation resources in Washington?

Featured entries include Washington State Family Court Services, Northwest Justice Project - Family Law, Spokane County Family Court Facilitation, Pierce County Family Court Services, Eastside Legal Assistance Program.

Do these listings include phone numbers?

9 of 17 Washington custody & visitation listings include phone numbers.

Do I need a lawyer to file for custody?

No — you can file pro se using forms from your county's Family Court Self-Help Center or Family Law Facilitator at no cost. A lawyer is strongly recommended if your ex is contesting custody, there's a history of abuse, or you need to relocate. Legal aid organizations cover custody cases for income-qualifying mothers.

How does the court decide who gets custody?

Judges apply the 'best interest of the child' standard, weighing each parent's caregiving history, stability, work schedule, the child's bond with each parent, any abuse or substance use, and (for older children) the child's preference. Being the primary caregiver — the parent who handles school, doctor visits, and daily routines — carries significant weight.

What if my ex won't follow the parenting plan?

Document every missed exchange, denied visit, or violation with dates, screenshots, and witnesses, then file a Motion for Contempt or Motion to Enforce with the court that issued your order. Courts can order make-up time, fines, or even change custody for repeated violations. Don't withhold the child in retaliation — that can hurt your case.

Can I get sole custody?

Yes, but courts presume joint custody is best unless you can show the other parent is unfit — documented abuse, untreated addiction, abandonment, or serious mental illness that endangers the child. Bring police reports, medical records, CPS findings, and witness statements. A guardian ad litem may be appointed to investigate.

Best Custody & Visitation in Washington — 17 resources

About Custody & Visitation for Women

Custody and visitation cases for women are handled in state and county family courts under each state's 'best interest of the child' standard. Mothers seeking sole, joint, or primary physical custody can use free self-help centers inside most courthouses to file petitions, parenting plans, and modification requests without an attorney. The ABA Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence and the Women's Law Project track state-by-state custody trends, and organizations like the Battered Mothers Custody Conference advocate where abuse intersects with custody. This directory combines official state court self-help portals, county family law facilitators, women-focused family law firms, and maternal advocacy organizations.

Custody & Visitation in Washington

Washington superior courts handle family matters in each of its 39 counties. The Division of Child Support operates under DSHS. Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Bellevue are the major metros. Northwest Justice Project, the King County Bar, and the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WSCADV) provide statewide civil legal aid and safety services for women.

17 Resources

1. Washington State Family Court Services — Free

King County Family Court Services at 516 3rd Ave in Seattle conducts custody evaluations, parenting plan investigations, and settlement conferences for King County families. Services are court-ordered; sliding-scale fees apply. Email familycourt@kingcounty.gov or call 206-477-1493 Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm.

206-477-1493 · 516 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

2. Northwest Justice Project - Family Law — Free

Northwest Justice Project at 401 2nd Ave S Suite 407 in Seattle represents low-income women statewide in custody, divorce, protective order, and parentage cases. They also run CLEAR (Coordinated Legal Education, Advice, and Referral) at 1-888-201-1014. Call 206-464-1519 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

206-464-1519 · 401 2nd Ave S Suite 407, Seattle, WA 98104 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Spokane County Family Court Facilitation — Free

The Spokane County Family Court Facilitator at 1116 W Broadway Ave helps unrepresented women complete the WA Mandatory Forms for custody, parenting plans, and child support. The facilitator can't give legal advice but reviews forms for completeness. 509-477-5790 Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm.

509-477-5790 · 1116 W Broadway Ave, Spokane, WA 99260 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

4. Pierce County Family Court Services — Free

Pierce County Family Court Services at 930 Tacoma Ave S provides mandatory mediation for parenting plan disputes before contested trial — fees waived for low-income women via IFP. Call 253-798-7550 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm to schedule.

253-798-7550 · 930 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98402 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

5. Eastside Legal Assistance Program — Free

ELAP at 1239 120th Ave NE Suite J in Bellevue provides free family-law representation to low-income women in east King County — Bellevue, Redmond, Kirkland, Bothell, Issaquah, and Mercer Island. Income cap is 200% FPL. Call 425-747-7274 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

425-747-7274 · 1239 120th Ave NE Suite J, Bellevue, WA 98005 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Clark County Family Court Facilitation — Free

Clark County Superior Court Family Law Facilitator at 601 W Evergreen Blvd in Vancouver helps Clark County women fill out WA mandatory custody forms, calculate child support worksheets, and prepare for hearings. 360-397-2424 Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

360-397-2424 · 601 W Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98660 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. Thurston County Family Court Facilitation — Free

Thurston County's Family Court Facilitator at 2000 Lakeridge Dr SW in Olympia reviews parenting plans, child support worksheets, and modification petitions for unrepresented Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater women. 360-786-5560 Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm.

360-786-5560 · 2000 Lakeridge Dr SW, Olympia, WA 98502 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

8. Snohomish County Family Law Facilitator — Free

Snohomish County's Family Law Facilitator at 3000 Rockefeller Ave in Everett helps unrepresented women in Snohomish County (Everett, Marysville, Edmonds, Lynnwood) complete custody, divorce, and modification paperwork. 425-388-3421 Mon-Fri 8:30am-4pm.

425-388-3421 · 3000 Rockefeller Ave, Everett, WA 98201 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4pm · Visit Website

9. TeamChild - Youth Advocacy — Free

TeamChild at 1225 S Weller St Suite 420 in Seattle is a youth-centered legal aid program that advocates for kids in dependency, school discipline, and special-education cases — relevant for moms fighting alongside the GAL system. 206-322-2444 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm. Free.

206-322-2444 · 1225 S Weller St Suite 420, Seattle, WA 98144 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

10. WomensLaw.org — Custody Information — Free

WomensLaw.org publishes Washington-specific custody and parenting-plan statutes in plain English, plus walk-throughs for petitioning a Domestic Violence Protection Order with concurrent custody relief. Email hotline; safe-exit and history-clear features.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. ABA Family Law Section — Find a Lawyer — Free

The ABA Family Law Section's consumer resources cover Washington's parenting-plan framework, UCCJEA jurisdiction, and the unique de facto parentage doctrine that's particularly relevant to Washington LGBTQ+ moms.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Federal Office of Child Support Services — Free

OCSS at acf.hhs.gov/css publishes the federal framework Washington DSHS Division of Child Support implements — particularly relevant when Washington women have co-parents in Idaho, Oregon, or Canada.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. USA.gov — Child Custody and Support — Free

USA.gov/child-support is the plain-English federal portal explaining how custody and support interact and linking to Washington DCS. Best starting point if your case crosses state lines.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. ChildWelfare.gov — Custody Resources — Free

ChildWelfare.gov hosts research-backed guides on kinship custody, third-party custody, and the impact of parental conflict on children — useful when a Washington woman is preparing for a custody evaluation.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. National Council of Juvenile & Family Court Judges — Free

NCJFCJ writes the bench cards Washington Superior Court judges use when ruling on custody cases involving domestic violence. Their Safe and Together publications reveal what evidence the court weighs.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Cornell Legal Information Institute — Family Law — Free

Cornell LII hosts the full text of RCW Title 26 (Domestic Relations) — Washington's parenting plan act, dissolution code, and protection order chapter — with cross-references for self-research.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

17. FindLaw — Child Custody — Free

FindLaw's child custody section covers Washington's parenting plan factors under RCW 26.09.187, residential schedules, and modification standards. Editorial team is licensed attorneys; content is free.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many custody & visitation resources are in Washington?: Women's Corner tracks 17 custody & visitation resources for women in Washington.
Are custody & visitation resources in Washington free?: 17 of the 17 listed custody & visitation resources in Washington are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Washington have custody & visitation resources?: Listings span cities including Seattle, Spokane, Tacoma, Bellevue, Vancouver, Olympia.
What are some examples of custody & visitation resources in Washington?: Featured entries include Washington State Family Court Services, Northwest Justice Project - Family Law, Spokane County Family Court Facilitation, Pierce County Family Court Services, Eastside Legal Assistance Program.
Do these listings include phone numbers?: 9 of 17 Washington custody & visitation listings include phone numbers.
Do I need a lawyer to file for custody?: No — you can file pro se using forms from your county's Family Court Self-Help Center or Family Law Facilitator at no cost. A lawyer is strongly recommended if your ex is contesting custody, there's a history of abuse, or you need to relocate. Legal aid organizations cover custody cases for income-qualifying mothers.
How does the court decide who gets custody?: Judges apply the 'best interest of the child' standard, weighing each parent's caregiving history, stability, work schedule, the child's bond with each parent, any abuse or substance use, and (for older children) the child's preference. Being the primary caregiver — the parent who handles school, doctor visits, and daily routines — carries significant weight.
What if my ex won't follow the parenting plan?: Document every missed exchange, denied visit, or violation with dates, screenshots, and witnesses, then file a Motion for Contempt or Motion to Enforce with the court that issued your order. Courts can order make-up time, fines, or even change custody for repeated violations. Don't withhold the child in retaliation — that can hurt your case.
Can I get sole custody?: Yes, but courts presume joint custody is best unless you can show the other parent is unfit — documented abuse, untreated addiction, abandonment, or serious mental illness that endangers the child. Bring police reports, medical records, CPS findings, and witness statements. A guardian ad litem may be appointed to investigate.