How a CASA Gets Appointed
When a child needs an advocate in court.
The Family Law CASA Program is available to low and moderate income families. The Program takes Title 26 cases in which the combined annual gross income of both parents is $70,000 or less. If the case is a third party custody case under RCW 26.10, the gross annual income of the third party custodian(s) must be $70,000 or less. If combined annual gross income is more than $40,000 but less than $70,000, the Program charges a $300-600 administrative fee. Family Law CASA does not accept cases where annual gross income exceeds $70,000.
Family Law CASA may be assigned to a case in one of two ways:
- Judges and Commissioners in King County Superior Court can request that a CASA be assigned to the case, by signing an Order Appointing Family Law CASA to access Family Law CASA Program services.
- A party in a Family Law case (involving divorce, paternity, non-parental custody or modifications including relocations) can request that an Order Appointing Family Law CASA be signed by filing a motion asking to have Family Law CASA appointed.
Regardless of how Family Law CASA is assigned to the case, Judges and Commissioners make custody decisions for the parties, often utilizing the information provided by the CASA volunteer. Please see the Resources Section for mandatory court forms, a Motion for a Temporary Order, and links to community legal services for assistance with these forms. Family Law CASA does not prepare motions for appointment.