Recently updated on August 7th, 2024 at 12:52 pm
Court Forms for Temporary Family Law Orders
This website helps individuals learn about the types of temporary orders and then create official court forms required for getting a temporary family law order in Washington. After you've carefully reviewed your paperwork you can also E-file with your local Superior Court anywhere in Washington State
What are Temporary Family Law Orders?
As the name suggests, the Temporary Family Law Orders are orders that last a limited time usually until the final divorce or final family law orders are issued by a court in family law cases to address immediate needs and issues. These orders are designed to provide stability until a final resolution can be reached. RCW 7.36.220.
HOW IT WORKS
1. Take Screening
Start with an online screening tool to help you decide what type of protection order fits your situation the best.
2. Prepare Documents
Instead of looking at the legal forms themselves, you will be guided thorough a series of detailed questionnaires. These will gather the necessary information topic by topic. The questions are in plain and non-legal language. To make this process as simple as possible, our system will then generate the official court forms with your responses printed on them.
3. Consult Advocate (Optional)
You can consult an advocate or pro bono (free) lawyer to get guidance on temporary orders. These resources are paid for typically by government and can help you review your case documents, and talk to you directly to discuss your case.
4. File with the Clerk
You can formally begin the case by filing with your local court. You will be informed about which specific court you need to file at as its important to go to one that has jurisdiction over your case. You can file by either printing and visiting the clerk's office at the court or in many locations online directly from this website.
5. Schedule a Hearing
In some cases, temporary orders can be issued without a hearing if there is an emergency.
6. Serve the Other Party
Serve the motion and notice of hearing to the other party, following the rules of service required by the court. This can be done by anyone who is older than 18 and is not a party to the case.
7. Attend the Hearing
Both parties will attend the hearing, where they can present evidence and arguments. The judge will then make a decision on the temporary orders.
8. Get Judge's Orders
At the end of the hearing the judge will sign the temporary orders.
WHY ARE TEMPORARY ORDERS IMPORTANT?
Clarity and Order
Creates clear rules and responsibilities for both parties, reducing conflicts and misunderstandings during the case.
Immediate help
Provide immediate solutions for urgent matters that cannot await the court's final decision, such as determining the children's living arrangements and covering necessary expenses.
Stability
Help keep children in a stable and consistent environment, ensuring they have consistent routines and support during the often lengthy legal process.
Framework for Final Decisions
Establish a temporary framework that can occasionally influence final decisions, facilitating the case's progress toward resolution.
Protection
Offer protection and prevention from potential harm, such as harassment or domestic violence through restraining orders.
Financial Support
Ensures the child’s financial needs are met, while reinforcing parental responsibility for the child's upbringing and aims for equitable financial support between parents.
CREATE & FILE YOUR CASE ONLINE NOW
Online Guided Experience
Step through this screening tool which asks some general question without asking any personal information to determine the most suitable temporary orders.
Then it will lead you to the the preparation of those temporary orders.
Select your situation
The temporary orders available to you depend on whether you were married (including domestic partnership) or an unmarried couple.
You need to select married even if you have divorce proceedings under way.
MARRIED COUPLES can request:
*Temporary orders can only be requested at the time of filing or after filing for divorce.
Child Custody and Visitation
Determine where the child will live and how much time they will spend with each parent and/or establish a schedule for visits with the non-custodial parent. RCW 26.09.194.
Use of Family Home
Determine which spouse will remain in the family home and who will be responsible for mortgage or rent payments and other household expenses while the case is pending. RCW 26.09.080.
Attorney's Fees and Other Expenses
Ensure that both parties have the financial means to afford legal representation during the course of the legal proceedings. This helps to level the playing field, especially when there is a significant disparity in the financial resources of the parties. RCW 26.09.140.
Child Support
Determine how much money one parent should pay the other to help with the child's expenses. RCW 26.09.060.
Property and Debt Division
Determine who gets to use certain belongings, such as bank accounts or vehicles, and who pays certain bills. You can also address insurance issues to ensure continuous coverage and financial protection during legal proceedings. RCW 26.09.080.
Spousal Support (Alimony)
Determine whether one spouse should provide financial support to the other during the divorce proceedings based on factors like the length of the marriage, the income and needs of each spouse, and the standard of living during the marriage. RCW 26.09.090.
Restraining Orders
Ask for to a protection order to prevent harassment, domestic violence, or any other harmful behavior by one spouse towards the other or the children. This includes provisions to stay away from the family home, workplace, or school, to prohibit or surrender weapons and to not hurt or threaten. RCW 26.09.060(2).
UNMARRIED COUPLES can request for
Temporary orders can only be requested at the time of filing or after filing for parentage.
Child Custody and Visitation
Determine where the child will live and how much time they will spend with each parent and/or establish a schedule for visits with the non-custodial parent. RCW 26.26A.470(2).
Attorney's Fees and Other Expenses
Ensure that both parties have the financial means to afford legal representation during the course of the legal proceedings. This helps to level the playing field, especially when there is a significant disparity in the financial resources of the parties.RCW 26.26A.510(2).
Child Support
Determine how much money one parent should pay the other to help with the child's expenses. RCW 26.26A.470(1).
Restraining Orders
Ask for to a protection order to prevent harassment, domestic violence, or any other harmful behavior by one spouse towards the other or the children. This includes provisions to stay away from the family home, workplace, or school, to prohibit or surrender weapons and to not hurt or threaten. RCW 26.26A.470(3)
CONVENIENCES
Privacy
You can explore legal options for getting a protection order while maintaining your complete privacy. Nothing is shared with the government unless you share or submit.
Resources
Learn about free community and pro bono resources. Connect with them and share your case data with a few clicks.
Comprehensive
Covers all common situations such as those involving minors, or firearms, or others permitted by the Washington State law, thereby saving you time.
Forms Selection
Correct form, and the most updated versions are automatically selected based on your situation.
Automated Checks
Run automated checks to verify correctness of your responses and to avoid mistakes that may cause delays in securing a protection order.
Simplified
All questions are presented in plain non-legal language. Difficult concepts are broken down into simpler steps.
NOTES
Legal Information
The legal information contained here does not constitute legal advice or substitute for legal advice.
Superior Court
This website provides services to prepare cases at Superior Courts at Counties across Washington as they share the same laws. It also has county specific requirements such as cover sheets or any additional court forms required.
CONTACT TECHNICAL SUPPORT
This contact form is for technical support questions only. For non-technical questions please contact the victim advocates at the telephone numbers listed at the bottom of this page.
