Resources - Breaking Free

Page Contents

  1. Consult with an Attorney

  2. Housing and Finances

  3. Support System

  4. Educate yourself

    (Many links will take you out of our website. Because of this sometimes the site address of these exterior links change and may take you to an error page. If this happens, this doesn’t mean the resource is no longer available. If this happens, google the title of the program and city/state/county to find the webpage.)

  1. Consult with an attorney

Our favorite resources for accessing free attorney consults and potential pro-bono representation:

  • Your Ex Pays. While not a guarantee, if your income is far less than your ex’s, you should request your ex pays for your attorney in advance per RCW 26.09.140. We recommend having your prospective attorney filing this for you. For instructions on how to do this yourself, visit WALawHelp.org’s page: File A Motion for Attorney Fees in a Divorce Case (A printable/downloadable pdf version located here).

  • DVPO Petitioners. Domestic Violence Protection Orders may be appointed a free attorney per RCW 7.105.240 if the respondent has an attorney and the petitioner does not. Ask the court for an “Order Appointing Council” form, and ask the commissioner or judge during the hearing to continue and order appointing council, this is usually only done after the respondent’s attorney has shown up or filed a notice of appearance.

  • Victims Advocate. While a victims advocate is not an attorney, they are one route to attorney referral and will help you fill out a DVPO. Their King County phone is 206-477-1103. For other counties search your county with “victims advocate.”

  • Case review and email consults. Eastside Legal Services: qualifications: making less than 200% of federal poverty guidelines and located in King County. 425-747-7274 (English) 425-620-2778 (Español)

  • Walk in services. In Seattle at King County Superior Court’s Family Law Facilitators. If you’re not in King County, call your county’s legal library or superior court to see if there are weekly or by appointment services.

Other free legal resources:

Low cost Trial Level Attorney recommendations:

  • If you make under 200% (or even under 400%?) of the federal poverty guidelines, you may qualify for the Washington State Bar Associations Moderate Means Program for reduced rate legal services where the bar will connect you with an attorney offering you a sliding scale fee structure based on your income.

  • Limited License Legal Technician: Learn more about Limited License Legal Technicians. Please search “Limited License Legal Technician” in your area or Washington to find the best fit for you, here is one internally well reviewed provider: Olympic LLLT.

  • Unbridled Legal Services: Learn more about pros and cons of Unbridled Legal Services. Please search “Unbridled Legal Services” in your are or Washington to find the best fit for you, here are some examples who have *not* been reviewed: R.N. Getz Law. Sound Family Law

Advocates for Post-Trial and Appellate Concerns:

  • Family Violence Appellate Project for family law trial appeals.

  • Attorney Bruce Johnson specializes in freedom of speech, for fighting gag orders and Anti-SLAPP Lawsuits. SLAPP stands for Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation, and is the forum abusers use to sue their victims for speaking out. If your judge limits your communication about your children or abuse please reach out.

Please email Payes directly for attorney recommendations that are based on our community support survivor stories.

2. Housing And Finances

Plan to make a plan to leave. If a shelter is your only option, Mary’s Place, and other shelter providers in DSHS’s Domestic Violence Emergency Shelter Programs and Advocacy Services or WSCADV’s Domestic Violence Support Programs. This is not a complete list of shelters. Other spaces that may assist you in finding emergency shelters near where you live are your local food bank.

Finances: access financial assistance before you leave by visiting Washington Connection.

After you’ve consulted with an attorney, and with guidance have filled out the petition and accompanying documents, further financial assistance may help you waive court fees here at the Superior Court Clerk’s Office Fee Information. This is more simply accomplished in the courthouse.

3. Support System

A support system is more than a space to just get emotional support. A support system can be a network of people who help you succeed in family court. Many survivors emerging out of a domestic violence situation have been isolated, and making these social connections can make or break whether or not you stay away from the abuse.

We encourage you to join social networking platforms by joining Facebook Groups that have descriptive headliners in their group title such as “Custody,” “Co-Parenting,” “Single Parents,” “Single Mom,” “Family Court,” “Survivor/Surviving,” “Domestic Violence/Abuse,” “Narcissistic,” etc.

Also visit our Services page, to be connected with our own peer to peer support groups.

4. Educate yourself.

If you are just beginning this process, please educate yourself on what is going on in family court, not just state wide but also nationwide.

Probably the most direct article regarding preparing to divorce written by Genesis Law, How To Win Custody (PDF).

Witness court from home. To see how judges make decisions follow this link to King County Virtual Family Law Hearings and click either “Virtual Hearing Links 8:30 am Calendar” or “Virtual Hearing Links 1:00 pm Calendar”

YouTube educational channels: Here are some content providers who provide educational videos on strategy navigating family court. Judge Anthony. Rabecca Zung. Modern Law. Command the Courtroom.

Please continue reading our Family Court Resources page for more ways to prepare yourself to break free.