Family Court

Overview

The Clallam County Family Court handles all family law matters including:

  • Divorce or legal separations with or without children
  • Parenting plans
  • Establishment of paternity
  • Adoption
  • Child support
  • Protection orders including anti-harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, and vulnerable adult

Many proceedings require mandatory court forms.

Online Parenting Programs

Clallam County Superior Court is now approving Online Parenting Programs for parents to be in-compliance with LCR 95.

Find out more information and sign up.

Court Facilitator

The court facilitator assists self-represented individuals in accessing family court. The court facilitator does not provide legal representation, but can assist clients with basic information such as which documents need to be filed, how to file them and serve other parties, and when to go to court. Parties may be required to pay fees for consultation or legal packets depending on financial status. You may email the court facilitator (or see our email form) and the phone number is 360-417-2588. Her office hours are as follows: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8:30 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 4 pm, and on some Wednesdays, 8:30 am to 12 pm and 3 pm to 4 pm. While the current stay-home order is in place, all appointments will be by telephone.

There are also local court rules that provide important information for family law cases such as when documents need to be filed, and how many pages a party is allowed to file (see LCR 94).

If you need to file a protection order, free forms are available at the Clallam County Clerk's Office.

COVID-19

In response to the current COVID-19 outbreak, family law matters are being handled by both telephone/Zoom or in-person. Emergency Order 21-01-21 (PDF) explains how parties may appear remotely for their hearings. All parties are encouraged to either call-in via a toll-free number, or video link-in to the hearing via Zoom.us. The courthouse is still open if you would prefer to appear in-person for your hearing. All participants will be required to follow all social distancing guidelines, and are not permitted in the courtroom if they are exhibiting any symptoms consistent with COVID-19 including fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, muscle pain, sore throat, loss of smell/taste, or a headache. There will be limited seating available to ensure everyone maintains a distance of 6 feet from others, unless from the same household. Masks are required and are provided when needed.

The courtroom is still open, though participants are encouraged to appear remotely for public and personal health reasons. Please keep in mind the importance of not interrupting the opposing side or the court. This is particularly important when hearings are conducted via phone/video. Don't hesitate to reach out to the court if you have any questions or concerns as to how we are operating.

As to settlement conferences, we have new time slots for settlement conferences: Mondays from 1:30 pm to 3 pm and 3 pm to 4:30 pm; and Thursdays from 10:30 am to 12 pm. Participants will be allowed to appear by phone or in-person for settlement conferences for the foreseeable future.

Thanks,
Commissioner Brandon Mack