Contents:
I. Washington State Court Forms: Protection Orders (alphabetical A-Z)
C. Domestic Violence No-Contact Orders and Modify/Rescind
D. Extreme Risk Protection Order
I. Temporary Restraining Orders
J. Vulnerable Adult Protection Order
II. Washington Law Help: Protection From Abuse Forms (Alphabetical A-Z)
C. Elder Abuse & Financial Exploitation
I. Washington State Court Forms: Protection Orders (alphabetical A-Z)
A. Antiharassment Protection Orders
Antiharassment Protection Orders
These forms will help you ask the court to grant you a “stay-away” order against someone who has been acting towards you in a way that unreasonably interferes with your privacy or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive living environment for you.
B. Domestic Violence Protection Orders
Domestic Violence Protection Orders
These forms will help you ask the court to enter a Domestic Violence Protection Order. An Order for Protection can help keep you safe. However, an order is only one part of staying safe and may not be the safest option in every situation. If you have questions about other options to stay safe call the Washington State Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-562-6025.
While Washington Courts have taken special precautions to protect information transmitted on this site, please note that an abuser may be able to tell what Internet sites you have visited on your home computer. The safest places to find information on the Internet are at a local library, a friend’s house, or at work. There may be other ways to protect your safety on the Internet. Learn more at: http://www.thehotline.org/help/tech-social-media-safety/.
C. Domestic Violence No-Contact Orders and Modify/Rescind
Domestic Violence No-Contact Orders and Modify/Rescind
These forms will help you ask the court to modify and/or rescind (dismiss) a Domestic Violence No-Contact Order. A protection order may be modified or rescinded. The fact that the order has been modified or rescinded (dismissed) does not prevent you from asking the court in the future to grant a no contact order.
D. Extreme Risk Protection Orders
These forms will help you ask the court to enter an Extreme Risk Protection Order. Extreme Risk Protection Order is a new form of Protection Order in Washington State whose goal is to keep firearms out of the hand of people who are at high risk of harming themselves or others. An Extreme Risk Protection Order can order respondent to surrender gun, order respondent to surrender a Concealed License Permit (CLP), and order respondent to not have a gun in their possession.
E. No-Contact Orders
These forms will help you ask the court to enter a no-contact order. No-Contact Orders may be obtained by a person who has reported an incident to the police; criminal charges must be pending or filed (the order may be a condition of sentencing). A no-contact order prohibits contact of any kind while the criminal case is active and can be a condition of sentencing; the order protects a victim while they wait for trail. In order to obtain a no-contact order, a crime must first be reported to the police. If the abuser has been arrested or issued a citation, the victim may ask the prosecutor to request a no contact order. (In some jurisdictions, orders are issued via the police or jail.)
F. Sexual Assault Protection Orders
Sexual Assault Protection Orders
These forms will help you ask the court to enter a Sexual Assault Protection Order. A Sexual Assault Protection Order is a civil order issued by a court at the request of a sexual assault victim or by someone else on his or her behalf. The order can require the person who harmed you to stay away from you, your home, school, work or other places you request, and to have no further contact with you. Any person 16 or older who is a victim of sexual assault (including a single incident) may petition the court to obtain an order. If you are under 16, you need a parent or guardian to ask the court for the order on your behalf. The sexual assault does not need to be reported to law enforcement or prosecuted.
G. Stalking Protection Orders
These forms will help you ask the court to enter a Stalking Protection Order. You file this petition to ask the court for an order against someone who is stalking and/or cyber-stalking you. The order can also (1) stop the person right away from having any contact with you, including contact through third parties, (2) stay away from your home, job, or school, and (3) stop watching you. Stalking is different from the definition of domestic violence. There may not be the same penalties for violations.
H. Surrender of Weapons
These forms are for use with protection orders/restraining orders/no-contact orders/decrees that order surrender of weapons.
I. Temporary Restraining Orders
I have started a divorce or parentage case. Another party has threatened my safety. What can I do?
Important: If there is an emergency, contact law enforcement at 911, or the local number for the police or sheriff.
You can ask the court for a Domestic Violence Order for Protection, using the mandatory Domestic Violence pattern forms. Contact the clerk of the court for more information. In a domestic relations case, you can also ask the court to order your spouse or ex-spouse to stop any harassment or to surrender weapons to the police or sheriff. An ex parte order means the court can act the same day as the request is made, even without notice to the other spouse, if necessary to provide safety. A temporary order means a hearing is held first, with notice to the other party, and the order can stay in effect until your dissolution case is finalized (at which time the restraining order can be extended).
J. Vulnerable Adult Protection Orders
Vulnerable Adult Protection Orders
An Order for Protection can help keep a vulnerable adult safe. However, an order is only one part of protecting a vulnerable adult. If you have questions about other options, call: the statewide telephone number to report abuse or neglect: 1-866-ENDHARM, 1-866-363-4276; or call the Washington State Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-562-6025.
While Washington Courts have taken special precautions to protect information transmitted on this site, please note that an abuser may be able to tell what Internet sites you have visited on your home computer. The safest places to find information on the Internet are at a local library, a friend’s house, or at work. There may be other ways to protect your safety on the Internet. Learn more at: http://www.thehotline.org/help/tech-social-media-safety/.
II. Washington Law Help: Protection From Abuse Forms (Alphabetical A-Z)
A. Antiharassment & Stalking
In this section of WashingtonLawHelp.org you will find general legal information and resources about antiharassment in Washington state. Popular forms and packets include the following:
Antiharassment: Petition for Order of Protection: Forms & Instructions
Forms and Instructions for antiharassment cases.
Domestic Violence: Can the Legal System Help Protect Me?
This publication defines domestic violence, advises how you can protect yourself and your family by getting a protection order or restraining order, and provides information on where to get help.
Are You Being Stalked? Tips for Protection
This memo will help you learn about stalking and how to protect yourself. If you need more information about stalking and the ways to protect yourself, see the Resources section at the end of this memo.
Crime Victims Advocacy Network
We are a network of advocates working with those hurt or harmed by crime in Mason, Thurston, Lewis, Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties. We work to protect the rights and dignity of crime victims by providing them with support, referrals and advocacy in a compassionate, proactive and empowering manner.
B. Domestic Violence
In this section of WashingtonLawHelp.org you will find general legal information and self-help resources about domestic violence issues in Washington state. Popular forms and packets include the following:
Domestic Violence: Can the Legal System Help Protect Me?
This publication defines domestic violence, advises how you can protect yourself and your family by getting a protection order or restraining order, and provides information on where to get help.
Protection Order Advocacy Program
Information about when and how to get a protection order.
Domestic Violence Order for Protection – Self-Help Forms
Answer the questions in this guided interview and it will assembled the necessary forms and instructions for you to file a Petition for Domestic Violence Protection Order in Washington State. This interview is part of LawHelp Interactive. LawHelp Interactive helps you fill out legal forms, answer a series of questions and print your legal form.
Filing for a Domestic Violence Protection Order
Important information about what a protection order is and why you might need one. Read this publication before filing forms for a protection order.
Domestic Violence and Your Housing Rights
Survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking have protections under the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RCW 59.18).
C. Elder Abuse & Financial Exploitation
In this section of WashingtonLawHelp.org you will find general legal information and resources about elder abuse in Washington state. Popular forms and packets include the following:
Protecting Elders and Vulnerable Adults from Abuse and Neglect
The law protects frail elders and vulnerable adults. This publication discusses different types of abuse that these individuals are protected from under the law.
APS Investigations and Findings
Adult Protective Services (APS) is a statewide government agency. It is part of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS). APS investigators respond to reports of possible abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults who live in their own homes or in a facility where there is an allegation of mistreatment by someone who is not an employee of the facility.
Crime Victims Advocacy Network
We are a network of advocates working with those hurt or harmed by crime in Mason, Thurston, Lewis, Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties. We work to protect the rights and dignity of crime victims by providing them with support, referrals and advocacy in a compassionate, proactive and empowering manner.
Consumers lose billions of dollars each year to fraud. People over age 50 are especially vulnerable and account for over half of all victims, according to a study conducted by AARP. People who commit these types of crimes, “con criminals,” often target older people knowing they have spent a lifetime earning their savings. Con criminals go wherever they can to find money to steal. They use everyday tools—the mailbox, the telephone, the Internet—to reach into your pocketbook.
Helpful video series on reverse mortgages/equity, scams, identity theft and estate planning and many other resources to help seniors make good financial decisions.
D. Sexual Assault
In this section of WashingtonLawHelp.org, browse the resources below to learn about general legal information and resources for victims of sexual assault in Washington state. Popular forms and packets include the following:
Download state court forms for sexual assault protection order.
Steps you can take after sexual assault
Options to keep in mind if you’ve been sexually assaulted
III. Other Helpful Resources
A. King County District Court
1. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Domestic Violence at King County District Court:
King County District Court offers a dedicated DV Court at the Maleng Regional Justice Center (MRJC) in Kent. The goals of the DV Court are to promote fairness, accountability for offenders, and the coordination of services for victims and their families. Find more information about Domestic Violence Court and forms on this website.
2. PROTECTION ORDERS
Protection Orders at King County District Court:
Washington State law allows for a person to file a civil case in court, asking a judge to grant an order to protect them from another person whose behavior is abusive, threatening, exploitive or seriously alarming. The primary purpose is to order the other person or “respondent” to not contact or harm you, the “petitioner.”
There are four types of protections orders, intended for specific situations. State law establishes who can seek them, who they can protect, who they can restrain, the types of protections and relief they offer, when and where court hearings are conducted, what costs may be incurred, etc.. The four types of protection orders are: Anti-Harassment Protection orders, Domestic Violence Protection Orders, Sexual Assault Protection Orders and Vulnerable Adult Protection Orders. The law allows district courts to handle the first three protection order types. For Vulnerable Adult Protection orders, you must contact King County Superior Court.
B. King County Superior Court Civil Protection Orders
King County Superior Court Civil Protection Orders
Washington State law allows for a person to file a civil case in court asking a judge to grant an order to protect them from another person whose behavior is abusive, threatening, exploitive or seriously alarming. The primary purpose is to order the “respondent” to not contact or harm the “petitioner.”
There are 5 types of protections orders, intended for specific situations. State law establishes who can seek them, who they can protect, who they can restrain, the types of protections and relief they offer, when and where court hearings are conducted, what costs may be incurred, etc.
Two types of protection orders are primarily filed in District Court, Antiharassment and Stalking. A case can be transferred to or filed in Superior court IF:
- The petitioner/victim or the respondent (harasser/stalker) is under 18 years old.
- The action involves title or possession of real property, and the respondent claims an interest in that property such as ownership or right to occupy.
- The action would interfere with the respondent’s care, control or custody of his/her child under 18.
- The Superior Court has jurisdiction over a case involving the petitioner/victim and the Respondent.
Domestic Violence Sealed Name Change Form Packet
If you are a survivor of domestic violence and you want the name change record sealed due to a “reasonable fear” for your safety, you should petition the superior court to change your name and/or your child’s name. RCW 4.24.130. The court will seal the file if it believes that safety justifies the sealing. Once sealed, there is no public access to any court record of the name change filing, even if the court does not grant the name change.