Provides resources and one-on-one advocacy for non-custodial fathers seeking to establish, re-establish or maintain positive relationships with their children.   Offers guidance and assistance to fathers who are in arrears on their child support obligations. Provides assistance in obtaining legal documents for parenting plans and visitation. Cannot accompany clients to court proceedings. Offers informal counseling to help fathers make wise decisions. Provides help with connecting to other resources.

Assists with the following areas of family law:   -  Divorce, legal separation, invalidity, annulment -  Family law motions -  Child support modifications and adjustments -  Establishing parenting plans -  Parenting plan modifications -  Non-parental custody -  Temporary orders -  Restraining orders -  Guardianships    Provides information on how to begin certain family law actions, necessary forms and where to get them, as well as court rules and procedures.   Can explain legal terminology and will review documents for completeness, once they are filled out, but cannot fill out papers or tell clients how to fill them out. Limited referrals for legal consultation for low income pro ses.   Does not provide legal advice. Cannot assist with the following issues:   -  Adoptions -  Juvenile dependency -  Eviction -  Traffic citations -  Will and probate matters -  Bankruptcy -  Name changes -  Criminal charges   Drop-in child care provided by the Children's Home Society at the Regional Justice Center for parents while they appear in court.

A judge or commissioner decides whether it is safe for the child to remain in the home or whether the child should be placed in out-of-home care.   The focus of the 72-hour shelter care hearing is to protect the child and offer ways for the parent to address the issues that led to the state's involvement.   At this time, the court also decides an appropriate visitation schedule for children and parents, a service plan for the parents, and whether there is a need for medical, mental health or substance abuse evaluations and treatment for the parents.

Operates legal clinics where free 30-minute legal consultations are available for individuals who are not already represented by an attorney. As of 9/2024, most clinics are operating via phone with limited in-person availability in Kent (details provided when a client schedules an appointment). Wait times are often several months for Family Law Clinics. Clinics focus on more complex family law issues including any case involving children or debt/asset division between parties. If needed, a client may be referred to further legal services. Attorneys at the clinic can: - Determine if a client has a legal problem - Explain legal rights and responsibilities - Suggest steps that might be taken to solve the problem, including self-help strategies - Refer clients needing specialized legal help to law-related agencies Clinic attorneys DO NOT represent a client in court or prepare court papers.

Provides legal advice and representation in family law issues for potential clients who live or work in Seattle, work with a DV agency located within Seattle, recently fled Seattle, or are cooperating with law enforcement in Seattle, who are survivors of domestic violence and telephone advice to advocates working with survivors of domestic violence. Clients gain access to the program through referral by a domestic violence advocate. Printed materials regarding legal rights, responsibilities and procedures may also be available in various languages.

Provides dispute resolution by means of mediation, conciliation, facilitation and training. Types of disputes include but are not limited to: landlord/tenant; consumer/merchant; parent/teenager; employer/employee; neighbor/neighbor; family; divorce; parenting plans/property division; small claims court cases; and non-violent criminal cases.

Qualified individuals will receive a legal consultation with a volunteer attorney regarding civil legal matters. Volunteer attorneys provide legal advice, direction, paperwork review, and assistance completing legal documents. Assists with the following legal matters: - Walk-In Clinic every Wednesday, 2-4pm - Family law - Employment - Wills and estates - Consumer and bankruptcy - Housing: helps with eviction and landlord/tenant information

Assists pro se litigants regarding legal domestic matters. Will explain how the court works; provide dissolution, child support modification, and parenting plan/custody modification forms packets; provide guidance in filling out forms; check completed paperwork; help schedule court hearings; and assist clients in obtaining an interpreter or other special services needed for court.

Provides both permanency planning and intensive treatment services to children and families who may need help with chronic problems such as on-going abuse and neglect or intensive medical needs.  

Provides legal information and advice for the following issues depending on attorney availability:   -  Auto accidents - Birth injuries -  Consumer law - Criminal defense -  Family law -  Finance -  Immigration -  Landlord-tenant law -  Medical negligence -  Personal injury -  Property law -  Worker's rights/wage claims

ELAP provides free 1-hour appointments with a family law attorney for advice and consultation on family law legal issues involving domestic violence. Attorney volunteers are not able to provide full representation or represent clients in court.

Legal Counsel for Youth and Children (LCYC)'s Youth Homelessness Program provides free legal services for young people between ages 12-24 who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. LCYC can help with: -  Landlord/tenant issues -  Emancipation - Minor Guardianships -  Navigating child welfare - Immigration -  Quashing warrants -  Legal Financial Obligations (LFOs) -  Orders of protection -  Record sealing -  Public benefits -  Debt (medical/consumer) -  Name changes -  Gender marker changes -  Obtaining identification documents   & more!

Provides legal services to relatives and other caregivers to obtain minor guardianship of children whose parents cannot or do not want to care for them. The program provides direct representation through referrals to a pro bono panel of attorneys and/or provides guidance and advice for clients who are unrepresented. The client does not need to be a relative but must have a significant relationship with the child. The child must currently be living with the applicant.

The Courthouse Facilitator program at Snohomish County Superior Court Clerk’s Office provides assistance to Family Law and Adult Guardianship clients who are not represented by attorneys.

Provides Legal information on the following topics: Divorce, Parenting Plan Modification, Paternity, Third-Party Custody and Protection Orders. Also provides services for Land Lord/Tennant Issues, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Bankruptcy, and Will preparation

𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Operates a legal clinic providing free one hour consultations with an attorney for victims of domestic violence with family law issues. Clinic is virtual Clinic attorneys can: - Determine whether the client has a legal problem - Suggest possible options - Help answer papers, summons and requests - Provide appropriate referrals Neighborhood legal clinic attorneys are specialized in areas of family law. Attorneys CANNOT give advice on criminal legal issues or provide representation on any legal matters. Domestic Violence and Family Law Clinic

CORE – Community-Opportunity-Reentry-Education is a program dedicated to supporting individuals who are transitioning out of Washington state’s correctional system. Through advocacy, case management, and volunteer mentors, we offer guidance and support to help navigate the challenges faced during the reentry process. Additionally, we provide free onsite services such as job readiness training, a clothing closet, hygiene kits, assistance finding housing and legal resources, and family reunification services such as mediation, court ordered classes, and supervised child visitation.

Offers legal representation for issues that affect large numbers of women or set legal precedents in the Pacific Northwest. Services are available only for selected cases in areas such as:   Discrimination in employment: -  Employment discrimination or other adverse employment actions against survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking -  Refusal of employer to provide leave to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking -  Change in terms of employment based on status as a parent or caregiver -  Change in terms of employment based on pregnancy -  Employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity/expression   Discrimination in schools, including athletic equity and schools' mishandling of sexual harassment or sexual assault.   Family law: -  Discrimination against DV survivors by CPS: Children removed from a parent's care based on allegations that the parent failed to protect children from domestic violence by the other parent -  Refusal of court to order abuser to surrender weapons in a DV Protection Order case or appeals filed by an abuser ordered to surrender weapons -  Abusive litigation against survivors of domestic violence -  Alleged father seeks parental rights for a child conceived as a result of sexual assault -  Parental rights terminated due to parent's incarceration   Nonconsensual pornography AKA "revenge porn": Cases in which private, intimate images of a person are distributed without her or his consent   Anti-LGBTQ discrimination, such as: -  Disfavorable treatment of LGBTQ parents in family law cases -  Denial of insurance coverage for transgender persons  Denial of access to health care, including: -  Reproductive health care, including abortion, contraception, or emergency contraception -  Health care for LGBTQ patients -  Health care or other services for incarcerated women

Provides dispute resolution by means of mediation, conciliation, facilitation and training. Types of disputes include but are not limited to: landlord/tenant; consumer/merchant; parent/teenager; employer/employee; neighbor/neighbor; family; divorce; parenting plans/property division; small claims court cases; and non-violent criminal cases.

Provides family law advice, assistance and referrals for people with children that have custody or visitation issues involving domestic violence, and who have limited English or cultural barriers. This is a joint project with the King County Bar Association. Clients MUST be referred by participating agencies. Printed materials regarding legal rights, responsibilities and procedures may also be available in various languages.

Provides voluntary confidential mediation to individuals, organizations and communities. Serves as an alternative or compliment to the judicial system, provides professional training in mediation and conflict resolution, and promotes the vital importance of peacefully resolving disputes. Provides assistance with the following issues: -  Neighborhood problems (noise, pets, parking, lawn & garden, property line problems and other nuisances) -  Landlord-tenant issues (deposits, repairs, damages, etc.) -  Real estate or personal property -  Foreclosure mediation -  Business consumer problems (faulty merchandise, refunds, exchanges, etc.) -  Employer/employee grievances -  School problems involving faculty or administration, students or parents -  Family issues such as problems related to divorce and parenting plans -  Other domestic problems not involving violence or other factors that require professional intervention or assistance Does not assist with the following issues: -  Any problem requiring legal assistance, such as filing lawsuits, criminal defenses, will preparation, etc. -  Issues involving drug/alcohol abuse, domestic violence, abuse to children, or issues where one or more parties fears abuse -  Problems where a party cannot speak adequately on their own behalf, although can work with clients who have a case manager

Operates several advice clinics at a variety of locations and times (including evenings), makes referrals to volunteer attorneys and provides public information for low-income clients. Volunteer Legal Services has attorneys on staff and can provide limited emergency services depending on the client's legal issue. Clients are encouraged to call or come by for legal assistance and referrals to other organizations. Current clinic times and locations are available online and appointments are required for some clinics (check website for clinic times and details). Areas of assistance can include: - Family Law - Landlord/Tenant - Foreclosure - Consumer and Business - Bankruptcy - Vacation of Criminal Records - Reinstatement of Drivers License - Veteran Assistance - Wills, Probate, Guardianship and Power of Attorney. Also serves as a referral partner with the Federal Civil Rights Clinic. Will direct clients to the clinic for intake, appointments, and follow up.

Services are provided by trained professional mediators who volunteer their time. Services include:   -  Face-to-face mediation -  Coaching for problems   -  Some simple negotiation over the telephone    TYPES OF PROBLEMS THE CENTER WILL HANDLE:   -  Neighborhood problems (noise, pets, parking, lawn & garden, property line problems and other nuisances) -  Landlord-tenant issues (deposits, repairs, damages, eviction prevention due to COVID, etc. ) -  Real estate or personal property -  Foreclosure mediation -  Business consumer problems (faulty merchandise, refunds, exchanges, etc. ) -  Employer/employee grievances -  School problems involving faculty or administration, students or parents -  Family issues such as problems related to divorce and parenting plans -  Other domestic problems not involving violence or other factors that require professional intervention or assistance.    TYPES OF PROBLEMS NOT HANDLED:   -  Any problem requiring legal assistance, such as filing lawsuits, criminal defenses, will preparation, etc.   -  Issues involving drug/alcohol abuse, domestic violence, abuse to children, or issues where one or more parties fears abuse -  Problems where a party cannot speak adequately on their own behalf, although can work with clients who have a case manager.    Clients must be able to keep agreements made.

Services are provided by trained professional mediators who volunteer their time. Services include: - Face to Face Mediation - Coaching for problems - Some simple negotiation over the telephone TYPES OF PROBLEMS THE CENTER WILL HANDLE: - Divorce mediation - Parenting Plan mediation - Neighborhood problems (noise, pets, parking, lawn & garden, property line problems and other nuisances) - Landlord-tenant issues (deposits, repairs, damages, etc.) - Real estate or personal property - Business consumer problems (faulty merchandise, refunds, exchanges, etc.) - Employer/employee grievances - School problems involving faculty or administration, students or parents - Family issues such as problems related to divorce and parenting plans - Other domestic problems not involving violence or other factors that require professional intervention or assistance TYPES OF PROBLEMS NOT HANDLED: Any problem requiring legal assistance, such as filing lawsuits (criminal defenses, will preparation, etc.); issues involving drug/alcohol abuse, domestic violence, abuse to children, or issues where one or more parties fears abuse; or problems where a party cannot speak adequately on their own behalf, although can work with clients who have a case manager. Other Services Provided: - Offers workshop of varying lengths to organizations, businesses, and groups on a range of topics including: conflict resolution, negotiation, communication, conflict styles, and dealing with difficult people. - Victim Offender Meeting Program: Brings together victims of juvenile crime with the offenders to talk about the impact of the crime and for the youth to make amends. - Assists senior citizens to resolve disputes with family members, businesses, landlords, neighbors and others through mediation. - Parent Youth Mediation Service: Allows parents and teenagers or pre-teens to sit down together to talk about how things are going within the family and develop agreements on behaviors, level of independence, respectful communication and consequences. Co-mediators assist the mediating parties.

A judge or commissioner decides whether it is safe for the child to remain in the home or whether the child should be placed in out-of-home care.   The focus of the 72-hour shelter care hearing is to protect the child and offer ways for the parent to address the issues that led to the state's involvement.   At this time, the court also decides an appropriate visitation schedule for children and parents, a service plan for the parents, and whether there is a need for medical, mental health or substance abuse evaluations and treatment for the parents.