Accessing the services of a Court Appointed Special Advocate.

Unlike the Juvenile Court system, which mandates by law that children have their own legal representation and provides families with free legal counsel if needed, Family Law cases are not provided with this important advocacy. Children involved in Family Law cases do not have access to any free advocacy service - unless a Family Law Commissioner or Judge assigns Family Law CASA to the case.

To seek appointment of a CASA volunteer, your case must qualify under the income guidelines and you must either enter an agreed Order Appointing CASA or file a motion for appointment of a Family Law CASA volunteer using the mandatory forms for appointment of a GAL. Copies of the Order Appointing CASA are kept in the Family Law courtrooms in both Kent and Seattle. A limited number of Orders are provided to the court monthly by the program to control the caseload.

See the Resources Section for a link to the mandatory court forms. If a CASA is appointed to your case, be sure the CASA office has up to date contact information for you including address and phone numbers.