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Operates several advice clinics at a variety of locations and times (including evenings), makes referrals to volunteer attorneys and provides public information for low-income clients. Attorneys on staff can provide limited emergency services depending on the client's legal issue. Areas of assistance can include: - Family Law & Domestic Violence - Landlord/Tenant - Foreclosure - Consumer and Business - Bankruptcy - Vacation of Criminal Records - Reinstatement of Driver License - Veteran Assistance - Wills, Probate, Guardianship, and Power of Attorney. Also serves as a referral partner with the Federal Civil Rights Clinic. Will direct clients to the clinic for intake, appointments, and follow up.

Generally, the government does not interfere in family law matters.  However, the law (RCW Chapter 13.34) allows the state to step in and protect a minor from harm in a procedure known as a dependency action. The court determines the safety issues of the case and where the minor should reside, with the parents, family members, foster home, etc.

Advice clinics offer one-on-one appointments with a volunteer attorney for civil law matters only. Topics include family law (custody, visitation, divorce, minor guardianship), general law (contracts, consumer protection, debt), immigration law, and employment law. No walk-in appointments-all are scheduled after an intake with staff. Self-help materials and forms available as well.

Operates a legal clinic providing a free 30-minute consultation with an attorney (60 minutes if an interpreter or other accommodation is needed) Clinic is open to all, but particular focus is on providing culturally-informed legal services in a safe and welcoming environment to individuals who identify as African American or Black. This clinic is staffed primarily by attorneys of color. Clinic attorneys can: -  Determine whether the client has a legal problem -  Suggest possible options -  Help answer papers, summons and requests -  Provide appropriate referrals   Neighborhood Legal Clinic attorneys may not have expertise in all areas of the law, but they will make every attempt to answer questions accurately. Attorneys CANNOT give advice on criminal legal issues or provide representation on any legal matters.

Assists pro se litigants regarding legal domestic matters. Will explain how the court works; provide dissolution, child support modification, and parenting plan/custody modification forms packets; provide guidance in filling out forms; check completed paperwork; help schedule court hearings; and assist clients in obtaining an interpreter or other special services needed for court.

Offers a free PowerPoint presentation for self-represented parties in nonparental custody actions.   Presentation is designed to give users an overview of a nonparental, or 3rd party custody, court case. The presentation goes over how to start a case, how to serve the necessary parties, and how to finish the case.   Presentation is not intended for people who would like to get custody of their own children.

Mediation is one way that people can resolve their conflicts and still maintain or improve the quality of the relationship with the other person. In a family, a business environment, or in small towns, this can be especially important.   What you can expect in a mediation session:   Trained certified mediators to guide you through the mediation process and the expectation of the mediation   To keep the communication productive and focused on the issue the mediator will outline what it means to mediate in good faith   Time to tell all parties your story, how you feel, and how you would like to resolve the issues   Time to listen and hear the other parties’ stories, how they feel, and how they would like to resolve the issues   Work together to outline a list of items you would like resolved   Talk to each other and come to mutually agreeable solutions    Design your own settlement agreements that are long lasting   Mediation sessions can last up to 3 hours, and parties can schedule multiple session based on their own needs.    Parenting Plan Creation and Parenting Plan Modifications In the state of Washington, parents are required to have a "Parenting Plan" before a judge will grant a divorce.  In Mediation the parents can work together in the best interest of the children, work through historical issues, and work towards healthy communication and respectful relationship.  Additionally, parents will have the opportunity to design their parenting plan that looks to the future; identifying potential changes in their lives: i.e. new partners, residential transfers, children's changing needs.    When parents' communication is ineffective, children suffer in school, in peer relationships and in self-esteem. Unresolved conflict is expensive.   Business Mediations are an effective and efficient process to help resolve employment disputes. A neutral mediator can assist parties in reaching a voluntary, negotiated agreement. Choosing mediation to resolve employment disputes promotes a better work environment, reduces costs and brings satisfaction for both the employer and the employee.   According to Halvorson Human Resources, the cost of turnover ranges from approximately 3 months pay for an hourly worker to $145,000 for a hi-tech employee.  Conflict is expensive.  PDRC offers the following meditations: Family, Divorce, Parenting Plans, Foreclosure, Neighborhood, Workplace, Business, Landlord/Tenant

Provide information and support in regard to criminal and/or civil legal matters. Advocates are not attorneys and cannot represent in court, however they can help navigate the legal system and provide support and accompaniment through processes such as protection orders, divorce proceedings and parenting plans.

Provides Legal information on the following topics: Divorce, Parenting Plan Modification, Paternity, Third-Party Custody and Protection Orders. Also provides services for Land Lord/Tennant Issues, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Bankruptcy, and Will preparation

𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Operates a legal clinic providing free one hour consultations with an attorney for victims of domestic violence with family law issues. Clinic is virtual Clinic attorneys can: - Determine whether the client has a legal problem - Suggest possible options - Help answer papers, summons and requests - Provide appropriate referrals Neighborhood legal clinic attorneys are specialized in areas of family law. Attorneys CANNOT give advice on criminal legal issues or provide representation on any legal matters. Domestic Violence and Family Law Clinic

Provides free civil legal services for youth and young adults between ages 12-24 who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

Assists individuals without attorneys in family law cases, including pro se divorces, child support modifications, parenting plan modifications, contempt orders (visitation, child support, maintenance), and temporary orders. What Court Facilitators Can Do: - Help identify required family law forms. - Review prepared forms for completeness. - Assist with scheduling court hearings. - Explain court procedures. - Make referrals to other agencies. The facilitator is not an attorney, cannot provide legal advice, and cannot accompany clients to court.

Provides dispute resolution by means of mediation, conciliation, facilitation and training. Types of disputes include but are not limited to: landlord/tenant; consumer/merchant; parent/teenager; employer/employee; neighbor/neighbor; family; divorce; parenting plans/property division; small claims court cases; and non-violent criminal cases.

Provides free 1-hour appointments with a family law attorney for advice and consultation on family law legal issues (divorce, legal separation, custody, parenting plans, child support). Attorneys at the clinic do not provide full representation or represent clients in court.

Provides information on family law actions, the mandatory forms required and where to obtain them, and offers general guidance on court rules, procedures, and schedules. Reviews completed forms to ensure all the necessary sections are completed and signed, and connects individuals with community resources and informational materials related to domestic and family matters. Cannot give legal advice, fill out paperwork, or instruct participants on how to complete it, and cannot assist individuals whom an attorney represents. Services are neutral, referrals are not provided, and services are not confidential. The family court facilitator is not responsible for the outcome in any case.

Provides free legal assistance for low-income individuals who would otherwise be denied access to the legal system because of the inability to pay. Potential clients are screened to determine income and case eligibility. Referrals are made to local attorneys who volunteer their time. Provides legal assistance with the following: Family Law (includes family law class to anyone who is seeking help in having their family law court documents reviewed), Debtor-Creditor, Bankruptcy, Social Security/ Disability, Wills/Power of Attorneys, Guardianship, Landlord/Tenant, Child Support, Immigration, and Protection Order. * Does not assist with: Criminal matters (of any kind including traffic infractions), Termination of Parental Rights, or Adoptions.

Provides free legal assistance by phone for LGBTQ people and their legal advocates. Focuses on helping with custody disputes, separation or divorce, and immigration or asylum. Can potentially assist with other topics as well. Advocates for equitable public policies affecting the LGBTQ community, and conducts community education on LGBTQ issues.

Offers legal representation for issues that affect large numbers of women or set legal precedents in the Pacific Northwest. Services are available only for selected cases in areas such as:   Discrimination in employment: -  Employment discrimination or other adverse employment actions against survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking -  Refusal of employer to provide leave to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking -  Change in terms of employment based on status as a parent or caregiver -  Change in terms of employment based on pregnancy -  Employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity/expression   Discrimination in schools, including athletic equity and schools' mishandling of sexual harassment or sexual assault.   Family law: -  Discrimination against DV survivors by CPS: Children removed from a parent's care based on allegations that the parent failed to protect children from domestic violence by the other parent -  Refusal of court to order abuser to surrender weapons in a DV Protection Order case or appeals filed by an abuser ordered to surrender weapons -  Abusive litigation against survivors of domestic violence -  Alleged father seeks parental rights for a child conceived as a result of sexual assault -  Parental rights terminated due to parent's incarceration   Nonconsensual pornography AKA "revenge porn": Cases in which private, intimate images of a person are distributed without her or his consent   Anti-LGBTQ discrimination, such as: -  Unfavorable treatment of LGBTQ parents in family law cases -  Denial of insurance coverage for transgender persons  Denial of access to health care, including: -  Reproductive health care, including abortion, contraception, or emergency contraception -  Health care for LGBTQ patients -  Health care or other services for incarcerated women

Provides mediation services for developing parenting plans, work place issues, custody, support and property division.

Provides support to the Family and Juvenile Division of the Thurston County Superior Court. Court staff can provide: - the status of a specific case, unless the case is "confidential,"; - general information on court rules, procedures and practices; - court-approved forms; - court schedules and information on how to get matters scheduled. Staff cannot: - provide advice about whether one should file a case, or what actions they should take in the case; - words to put in a form; - advise anyone on what to say in court; - speculate about what decision the judge might make or what sentence the judge might impose.

Assists self-represented individuals in family law matters, including divorce, custody, child support, and paternity. Provides information on procedures and forms, and reviews forms for completeness. The facilitator is not an attorney and cannot provide legal advice.

Services are provided by trained professional mediators who volunteer their time. Services include: - Face to Face Mediation - Coaching for problems - Some simple negotiation over the telephone TYPES OF PROBLEMS THE CENTER WILL HANDLE: - Divorce mediation - Parenting Plan mediation - Neighborhood problems (noise, pets, parking, lawn & garden, property line problems and other nuisances) - Landlord-tenant issues (deposits, repairs, damages, etc.) - Real estate or personal property - Business consumer problems (faulty merchandise, refunds, exchanges, etc.) - Employer/employee grievances - School problems involving faculty or administration, students or parents - Family issues such as problems related to divorce and parenting plans - Other domestic problems not involving violence or other factors that require professional intervention or assistance TYPES OF PROBLEMS NOT HANDLED: Any problem requiring legal assistance, such as filing lawsuits (criminal defenses, will preparation, etc.); issues involving drug/alcohol abuse, domestic violence, abuse to children, or issues where one or more parties fears abuse; or problems where a party cannot speak adequately on their own behalf, although can work with clients who have a case manager. Other Services Provided: - Offers workshop of varying lengths to organizations, businesses, and groups on a range of topics including: conflict resolution, negotiation, communication, conflict styles, and dealing with difficult people. - Victim Offender Meeting Program: Brings together victims of juvenile crime with the offenders to talk about the impact of the crime and for the youth to make amends. - Assists senior citizens to resolve disputes with family members, businesses, landlords, neighbors and others through mediation. - Parent Youth Mediation Service: Allows parents and teenagers or pre-teens to sit down together to talk about how things are going within the family and develop agreements on behaviors, level of independence, respectful communication and consequences. Co-mediators assist the mediating parties.

Explains court procedures and determines what legal forms are needed in family law cases for individuals without attorneys. Also can review client paperwork for completeness and assists with scheduling court hearings. The facilitator is not a lawyer and cannot provide legal advice. Assists in the following types of cases: - Divorce/Legal Separation - Child Support Modifications - Restraining Orders - Establishing a Parenting Plan - Parenting Plan Modification - Parentage

Operates legal clinics providing free 30 minute consultations with an attorney. Focus is on Korean and Korean-speaking clients. Clinic attorneys can: -  Determine whether the client has a legal problem -  Suggest possible options -  Help answer papers, summons and requests -  Provide appropriate referrals   Neighborhood legal clinic attorneys may not have expertise in all areas of the law, but they will make every attempt to answer questions accurately. Attorneys CANNOT give advice on criminal legal issues or provide representation on any legal matters.

Assists with the following areas of family law:   -  Divorce, legal separation, invalidity, annulment -  Family law motions -  Child support modifications and adjustments -  Establishing parenting plans -  Parenting plan modifications -  Non-parental custody -  Temporary orders -  Restraining orders -  Guardianships    Provides information on how to begin certain family law actions, necessary forms and where to get them, as well as court rules and procedures.   Can explain legal terminology and will review documents for completeness, once they are filled out, but cannot fill out papers or tell clients how to fill them out. Limited referrals for legal consultation for low income pro ses.   Does not provide legal advice. Cannot assist with the following issues:   -  Adoptions -  Juvenile dependency -  Eviction -  Traffic citations -  Will and probate matters -  Bankruptcy -  Name changes -  Criminal charges   Drop-in child care provided by the Children's Home Society at the Regional Justice Center for parents while they appear in court.