Courthouse Facilitators

Make the Most of Your Time with the Facilitator

Your time is valuable, so make the most of your visit with the courthouse facilitator.  If you have already purchased a "do it yourself" kit, read the instructions carefully and make a note of the questions you have.  Use pencil to complete the first draft of your paperwork, or make a copy that you can use as a rough draft.  Complete your documents 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.  Try to answer the facilitator's questions clearly and briefly.  Take notes during your visit with the facilitator.

For information about the services the facilitator may provide, click here. The courthouse facilitator cannot give you 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.  Click here for help finding legal services.

If you need the facilitator to compute child support for you, bring financial information with you.  This includes pay stubs for you (and for your child's other parent, if available), health insurance premium amounts, child care payment amounts, and special expenses (school sports fees, dance or music lessons, automobile insurance costs for your teen driver, etc.).  If you need help modifying an existing order, be sure to bring a copy of the order with you (the original order of child support, parenting plan, or custody decree).

Please try to arrange for child care for young children.  Courthouses do not offer child care services, with the exception of limited space at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent and the Children's Waiting Room in Spokane County.  DO NOT bring a child who is the subject of the case being discussed with you to the appointment.  Children should not hear discussions of the case in which they are involved.