Court Facilitator (Family Law)
The Facilitator Can:
• Explain how the court process works
• Explain how to schedule court hearings
• Check paperwork for completeness before a party goes to court
• Arrange for an interpreter to help in court
• Refer to other agencies for extra help parties may need
• Calculate child support when provided with income figures for both parties
The Facilitator Cannot:
• Give legal advice
• Assist litigants who are represented by an attorney
• Represent parties in court
• Fill out forms for the party
• Tell the party what to say in court
Forms Packets:
Self-help packets are available for purchase in room M-206 from 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., closed from Noon – 12:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, except legal holidays.
Packet prices range from no charge to $35.00. The Clerk's Office accepts cash, money orders, cashier’s checks, debit and credit cards.
Forms can also be downloaded from www.courts.wa.gov, but parties are strongly encouraged to purchase the self-help packets to ensure that they get all of the forms along with the instructions that they may need.
Appointments:
To make an appointment with a Family Law Facilitator please call 425-388-3795 and leave a message. A Facilitator will return your call.
Appointments are to review your completed paperwork and explain court procedures. Effective January 1, 2009 appointments will be assessed a $10.00 Facilitator User Fee. Please pay your fee in the Clerk’s Office, Room M206, prior to appearing for your appointment. If you need immediate assistance this service may not be appropriate for you.
Walk-in Hours:
Walk-in hours are from 8:30am-11:00am and 2:30pm-3:30pm Monday through Friday. These hours are subject to change without notice. The walk-in hours are for quick questions. Forms are not reviewed on a walk-in basis but by appointment only.
Pro Se Dissolution Calendar:
The pro se dissolution calendar begins at 1:00 pm; check-in begins at 12:00 noon. The facilitators are in court on Wednesdays prior to the beginning of the calendar to answer questions and check over final paperwork.
Waiting Period:
Dissolution = 90 days from filing with a joinder or 90 days from service on the other party. If the case becomes contested, parties will need to note their case for trial, and it can take six to eight months for a case to go to trial.
Legal Separation = 20 days from service on the other party or no waiting period if agreed (except the standard 12 days notice required to note a hearing on the pro se dissolution calendar).
Filing Fee:
The filing fee is $290.00 to file a new case or $56.00 to modify an existing order on a Snohomish County case. The Clerk's Office accepts cash, money order, cashier’s checks, and credit and debit cards.
Where can I pay child support?
Child support can only be paid through the Clerk of the Superior Court if there is a court order directing such payments. Those payments can be made in Room M206 of the County Courthouse Building. Support ordered to be paid through the Washington State Central Support Registry (WSSR) may be paid either directly to WSSR at P.O. Box 9009, Olympia, WA 98507-9009 or through the local Division of Child Support Office.
Where can I get Child support schedule worksheets?
Worksheets and instructions may be obtained from either the Family Law Facilitators Office in Room C-125 or the Snohomish County Law Library both of which are located on the first floor of the County Courthouse Building.
How do I modify child support?
Modifications of child support require that a Petition to Modify Child Support, with a filing fee, be filed with Superior Court and a court hearing be set to hear the petition. The worksheets and instructions required may be obtained from the Superior Court Clerk's Office in forms packets. The Clerk's Office accepts cash, money orders, cashiers check and debit or credit cards only.
Resources -
Domestic Violence Protection Orders (425) 388-3638
Attorney Referral (425) 388-3018
Courthouse Toll Free Number 1-800-562-4367
C.L.E.A.R 1-888-201-1014
http://www.courts.wa.gov/education/
http://www.courts.wa.gov/programs_orgs/pos_bja/?fa=pos_bja.ptc