Family Court Facilitator

Facilitator Office Changes as of January 4, 2021
-APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE

Please note: appointments must be scheduled in person. Scheduling by phone not available.

Beginning January 2021, you can schedule an in-person, 20-minute appointment, with the family law facilitator. Come to the clerk’s office and the front counter staff will schedule your appointment. You will be required to pay for that appointment when scheduled. You must bring your receipt to your appointment.

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR TIME WITH THE FACILITATOR

Your time is valuable, so make the most of your visit with the Family Court Facilitator.  If you have already purchased a packet, read the instructions carefully and make a note of the questions you have.  Have all your documents filled out as much as possible.  That way the Facilitator will be able to review the documents with you to see if they are filled out properly.

Below are your options for forms:

  • www.washingtonlawhelp.org – this site provides step by step instructions & all the forms needed for downloading.
  • www.courts.wa.gov – this site provides forms for download. 
  • Purchase a packet from the Clark County Clerk’s Office.

DO NOT bring children with you to your visit with the Facilitator.  Appointments are 20 minutes and there is a $20.00 fee for the appointment.  One person per visit unless you require an interpreter.

THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS OF THE FAMILY COURT FACILITATOR USER FEE.

Appointments will start at 1:00pm and end at 3:30pm. Appointment times could be limited based on daily staffing. 

The Family Court Facilitator cannot give legal advice or predict what the Court will do in your case.  Only an attorney in private practice or in a volunteer legal services program can advise you about your rights and responsibilities, and which course of action is best for you.


Location:     Clark County Courthouse
                    1200 Franklin Street, Vancouver, WA (1st floor of Courthouse)
      Hours:   By appointment only

The Family Law Facilitator Program at Clark County was established to provide assistance to citizens who choose to or who cannot afford an attorney to represent them in matters dealing with:

  • Dissolution (Divorce)
  • Legal Separation
  • Custody issues
  • Child Support Modifications
  • Paternity
  • Contempt of Court Orders
     
  • Temporary Orders
  • Parenting Plan Modifications
  • Establishing a Parenting Plan
  • Relocations
  • Restraining Orders

Our services are neutral, we DO NOT provide referrals, our services are NOT confidential and we are NOT responsible for the outcome of your case.

The Facilitator CANNOT:

  • Provide legal advice
  • Fill out your paperwork or tell you how to fill them out
  • Assist people who are represented by an attorney

Information the Facilitator CAN provide:

  • Information on how to start certain family law actions
  • What mandatory forms are available and where to get them
  • Provide information on court rules, procedures and case schedules
  • Review completed forms for procedural correctness (necessary blanks filled in and signed where required)
  • Provide information on community resources
  • Provide informational brochures and instructions sheets relating to domestic matters

A user fee of $20.00 must be paid in the Clerk’s Office before you can be seen.
The cashier accepts cash, cashier’s checks, money orders, or debit/credit cards.

Assistance is provided on a first come first serve basis

  • Pay cashier
  • Hold on to your receipt

Where can I find the forms?

  • Clark County Clerk’s Office, Monday – Friday 9 am - 4:30 pm (for a fee)
  • Clark County Law Library, 1st floor courthouse. Hours 9am -2 pm Monday – Friday  (3rd Monday of each month, closed at noon)
  • Ft. Vancouver Regional Library, 901 C St., Vancouver, WA

Free download of forms:

Washington Administrative Office of the Courts - www.courts.wa.gov/forms 
Northwest Justice Project - www.washingtonlawhelp.org - Forms & Instructions

What is the cost of the forms packets?

  • Dissolution/Legal Separation w/ children - $50.00
  • Dissolution/Legal Separation no children - $30.00
  • Modification of Child Support - $30.00
  • Modification of Parenting Plan - $30.00
  • Modification/Termination of Non-Parent Custody $20.00
  • Relocation - $30.00
  • Paternity Packets - $50.00
  • Writ of Habeas Corpus re Custody - $15.00

Please review our Facilitator Tip Sheet (PDF - 109KB)

Certification - needed for finalization of dissolution per local court rule 11(a)
Change of Address Form
Citation - used to schedule court hearing
Contempt of Court Actions
Domestic Partnership Rights
Family Law Handbook - Marriage Edition
Family Law Handbook - Domestic Partnership Edition
Financial Declaration - required by court in some situations
Notice to Set For Trial - Family Law Courts
Temporary Orders - Checklist
Ex Parte - Short Term Order

Other Agencies that Can be of Service in Family Law Matters:

Northwest Justice Project/CLEAR
Volunteer Lawyers          
DSHS Division of Child Support
Local Office:  500 West 8th Street #275
Vancouver, WA 98660
Hours: Monday-Friday 9:30am-12:30pm
Phone: 1-888-201-1014 
Web site: www.nwjustice.org

 
Intake Phone Calls:
Monday-Thursday 9:00am-4:00pm
Phone: (360) 695-5313 




 
800 NE 136th Ave, Suite 210
Vancouver WA  98684
Phone: (360) 696-6100 or (800) 345-9984




 
Clark County Prosecutor's Office - Child Support Division
YWCA of Clark County
         
Clark County Law Library
800 Franklin Street #100
Vancouver, WA
Phone: (564) 397-2265






 
3609 Main Street,
Vancouver, WA 
Phone: (360) 696-0167
Domestic Violence hotline - 24 hour Phone: (360) 695-0501



 
1200 Franklin St, 1st Floor, Vancouver, WA 98660
Phone: (564)-397-2268
clark.wa.gov/law-library
clark.wa.gov/law-library/court-forms


 
  
   

Domestic Partnerships can be registered with the Secretary of State's Office in Olympia effective July 22, 2007.  Please go to the following Web site for forms and information: www.secstate.wa.gov/corps/domesticpartnerships/

If you have further questions or need further assistance, please call the Clerk's Office at (564) 397-2292.

Clark County Clerk's Office
Street Address:  Courthouse,1200 Franklin Street, Vancouver, WA 98660
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000
Main phone: (564) 397-2292 | Criminal: (564) 397-2295 | FAX: (564) 397-6099
Juvenile (564) 397-2073 | Collections Unit: (564) 397-6085
TTY: (564) 397-6172
E-mail: countyclerk@clark.wa.gov

Responsible Elected Official: Scott G. Weber , County Clerk