FAMILY LAW

Approved Parenting Seminars
COVID-19 Guidelines for Families
Family Law Facilitators
Family Law Mediators
Forms
Guardian ad Litem Information

COVID-19 GUIDELINES FOR FAMILIES DURING SHELTER IN PLACE, STAY AT HOME ORDERS

All Family law Order must be followed, including Parenting Plans, Restraining Orders, Child Support Orders and Other temporary family law orders.

Child Support

All child support orders must be followed.  Parents should work with DCS if work circumstances create a hardship.  You may not withhold parenting time for a parenting who is not paying child support.  You may not stop child support to a parent who is not following a parenting plan.

Parenting Plans / Residential Schedules

If the government is allowing individuals to leave their homes to obtain essential items such as food, and to be outdoors for fresh air (i.e. go on walks, etc.), then the court deems CHILD EXCHANGES ARE ESSENTIAL.

All Court ordered parenting plans must be followed and all parenting time must be permitted unless it is not possible.  If parenting time is missed because of governmental restrictions related to COVID-19, make up time shall be provided when the restrictions are lifted and the parents shall provide liberal telephone and videoconferencing (i.e. Skype, Facetime, Zoom, Facebook) with the child during this time. 

Spring/Summer Break, Vacation and/or Holidays

While school may be out of session, this is NOT considered summer break, spring break or a holiday.  Parents shall follow the schedule in the parenting plan for school session until school releases for summer, spring break, or other holiday under the current school year calendar.

Parenting Time in Public Places

If parenting time is ordered to occur in a public place, parenting time shall continue at locations that are permitted under the health and safety guidelines for the state, such as a large park or nature hike. *

Supervised Parenting Time

If parenting time is ordered to be supervised and the supervisor is unavailable to supervise as a result of the COVID-19 related governmental orders and restrictions, the parents should work together to locate a new supervisor, if possible. 

Parenting Plan Impossible to Follow

In the limited times when a parenting plan cannot be followed, for example because the parenting time requires travel that is restricted due to the governmental restrictions (i.e. flights), make-up time shall be provided when the restrictions are lifted, and the parents shall coordinate telephone and video contact with the child as stated above. 

Exchanges times

Exchange times under the parenting plan shall be followed.  If the exchange times are school times, the parents shall follow the start and release times for the regular school schedule and exchanges shall occur in a public location as close to the school as possible, unless otherwise agreed between the parents. 

Parenting Seminars

 

Approved Parenting Seminars

Skagit County requires all persons involved in a parenting plan (custody/visitation) action to participate in an approved parenting seminar within 90 days after the service of a petition starting the legal proceedings (See SCLSPR 94.01.1).  There are fees associated with the seminars.  Some providers offer reduced fees or grants.  Contact the provider directly for information on fees.  The court can enter sanctions or can choose not to enter a final parenting plan or custody order if the parties have not completed the approved seminar.  This requirement may be waived by the court for good cause. 

Your early participation in any one of these programs may decrease the stress for you and your child or children and may speed up the resolution of your legal proceeding.  The seminars are designed to help parents learn about the issues children deal with when their parents separate.  Parents generally report having learned valuable information which assists them in helping their children deal with the separation.

“Separate Homes Connected Families” Co-Parenting Class
https://www.voaww.org/service-page/separate-homes-connected-families
(360) 542-8487 press #5
3 hour Online
Available in English and Spanish

“Successful Co-Parenting” Class
www.SuccessfulCo-Parenting.com 
(360) 399-6429
4 hour Online
Available in English and Spanish

“Two Families Now”
Online at:  www.TwoFamiliesNow.com
(541) 343-4747
4 hour online class
Available in English and Spanish

“Children in Between” Class
online.divorce-education.com
4 hour online class
Available in English and Spanish

“Co-Parenting” Class
www.OnlineParentingPrograms.com
4 hour online class
Available in English and Spanish

Family Law Facilitators

Esme Romero and Darcy MacKenzie-Mehlhaff
205 West Kincaid, 3rd Floor
Mount Vernon, WA  98273
For appointments call (360) 416-1200

Hours 8:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. by appointment only

Spanish speaking facilitator is available.

The Family Law Facilitators provide assistance, coordination, development and direction of services relating to family law issues for unrepresented litigants.The Family Law Facilitators are available on:

Monday through Friday, 8:45 – 4:00 BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Costs: $20.00 per ½ hour appointment (effective 1/1/10); paid prior to appointment. Certain credit cards are accepted. You may also pay-by-phone.

Payment: Clerk’s Office. Courthouse, 1st floor

Please arrive for your appointment at least ten minutes early to allow time to pay the fee at the Clerk’s Office.

Spanish speaking facilitator is available on Thursdays and Fridays

The Family Law Facilitators are not attorneys and are prohibited from practicing law.

TELEPHONIC APPOINTMENTS WITH FACILITATOR | Pdf

Call the Court Administration (360) 416-1200 to set up appointment

Download Disclaimer from Superior Court's website and print.

Follow instructions to pay $20.00 for appointment fee and put confirmation number on Disclaimer.

PAYMENTS

  • If you do not know your case number, you can find it at: www.courts.wa.gov.
  • If you have not yet filed a case and do not have a case number, use all zeros when asked to provide a case number.

Customer instructions for paying for Court Facilitator appointments:

Credit Card payments may be made online through nCourt, There is a service fee for processing payment(s) online or over the phone. The total charge amount will be displayed prior to submitting the payment. To make a payment by phone, please call (877) 793-8935 Mon-Fri 7am-9pm and Sat-Sun 9am-6pm EST.

Once you have submitted your payment, you will receive an email letting you know if the court has accepted or rejected your payment.

To better serve you and to ensure you are prepared for your appointment, please refer to the Family Law outlines which are located on the Superior Court/forms page.

Note:

Appointments for your final dissolution or legal separation cannot be done telephonically. Refunds are not available for missed appointments.

Guardians Ad Litem Information

Skagit County Superior Court creates a new Guardian ad Litem (GAL) registry for Title 11 and Title 26 each September 1st.  Please refer to the Skagit County Local Court Rules for education and experience requirements.

To be considered for these registries, the following documents must be submitted to the Court Administrator prior to September 1st:

  1. Application – filled out, dated and signed. [Pdf] [Doc]
  2. Memorandum of Understanding
  3. W-9 (for new GALs)
  4. Resume
  5. WSP background check
  6. Copy of training certificate
  7. Proof of supervised assignments (for new Title 26 applicants who are not attorneys)
  8. Education And Experience Requirements

Current Guardians Ad Litem Lists