Court Facilitator Services

Facilitators provide assistance to self-represented parties involved in domestic relations matters by providing information about local court procedures, use of mandatory forms and by providing assistance in preparing child support worksheets based on the Washington State Child Support Guidelines by utilizing the family income.

The facilitator CAN

  • Explain Court protocol
  • Assist in identifying and selecting forms for family law cases only
  • Assist in scheduling hearings
  • Check paperwork as to completeness prior to court
  • Refer to other agencies for special needs or legal advice

The facilitator CANNOT

  • legal advice
  • Represent any party in court
  • Complete the forms for any party
  • Tell any party what to say
  • Provide assistance in any other case types
  • Verify the accuracy of information provided
  • Answer questions about the meaning or effect of forms or terms thereof
  • Establish an attorney-client relationship with you or provide you with legal representation
Making appointments

All meetings with the facilitator are by appointment only. Appointments can be scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You may arrange for an appointment by inquiring with Clerk’s Office front desk at the Family and Juvenile Court, calling a facilitator directly at 360-709-3269 or 360-709-3274, or emailing your request to clerkformsreview@co.thurston.wa.us.

There is a $25 fee for every 30-minute appointment. If you are wanting a longer appointment, please indicate that at the time of scheduling. We are currently offering ‘in person’ or ‘phone’ appointments. If you are scheduling a phone appointment, your documents for review need to be filled out to the best of your ability and emailed prior to your scheduled appointment to the email address listed above.

Facilitator Appointment Fee & Payment Information

The $25 (30 minute) appointment fee can be paid using link provided below. Longer appointments can be scheduled (ex. $50 for 60 minutes). Choose “Facilitator Appointment Fee” and enter your case number. If you have not yet opened a case, then use 33-3-33333-33 for the case number. Phone appointments need to be paid prior to your scheduled appointment. In person appointments are preferably paid in advance but may be paid for at the appointment.
https://payments.lexisnexis.com/wa/co/thurston/clerk

Important Information for In Person Appointments

If you have children, please do not bring them to your appointment, if possible.  Please arrive 10 minutes early for your appointment and check in by completing a ‘salmon colored’ sign in sheet for a facilitator appointment (located on the wall across from the clerk’s front counter). Once completed, slide this paper through the slot at the end of the clerk’s front counter (there is an orange sign above the slot in the window). A facilitator will come out to bring you back for the appointment.

Bring all of your paperwork with you to the appointment. Please have all of your paperwork completed to the best of your ability PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT. The facilitator can help with questions but cannot complete the paperwork for you.

The facilitators are located at the Family and Juvenile Court building, 2801 32nd Ave SW, Tumwater 98512.

Family Court Orientation

Dissolution and legal separation cases involving children are subject to family court orientation. Orientation must be scheduled at the time each new case is filed and must be attended within 30 days from the date of filing.

Family court orientation is an informational session in which litigants are provided with information from the court and an opportunity to schedule the required Consider the Children seminar. The presentation is designated to help parents understand the court process.

Thurston County Volunteer Legal Clinic

​Legal advice clinics are available for low income residents of Thurston and Mason Counties in the areas of family law, landlord-tenant law and consumer law.  To be screened for an appointment, call the toll free CLEAR intake line at 1-888-201-1014.  For more information, call the Clinic office at (360) 705-8194.