I need advice...
I have a hearing next week for a high conflict custody case and my ex is just submitting not true information or information that isn't the full story. He's fighting for primary and giving me limited visitation. There was a previous protection order against him and I'm just getting really overwhelmed.
I'm in Washington State, king county, the case is in Spokane county. Does anyone know of a good low income lawyer that can help? Or any advice for the hearing next week?
**Here is my research of your issue. Looking for a low-income lawyer and handling false accusations and a prior protection order in a high-conflict Washington custody case. Here is the answer to the best of my knowledge.**
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## ⚖️ How to Find a Low-Income Lawyer
Based on your situation (King County resident, case in Spokane County, prior protection order), here are the most relevant, low-cost legal resources:
### 📍 First Priority: Spokane-Based Resources (Case Location)
**1. Inland Empire Legal Aid (IELA) – Serving Spokane County**
- **What they do:** Free civil legal services to low-income residents (≤200% Federal Poverty Level) in Spokane and surrounding counties.
- **Family Law Assistance:** Provides legal education, advice, and clinics for divorce, parenting plans, and child support matters.
- **Contact:** InlandEmpireLegalAid.org
**2. Volunteer Lawyers Program (Spokane County Bar Association)**
- **What they do:** Provides free legal advice and assistance to low-income individuals through clinics, events, and in-court volunteers.
- **Direct representation not guaranteed** due to high demand, but they offer weekly family law clinics.
- **Website:** SpokaneVLP.org
**3. YWCA Spokane – Civil Legal Program**
- **What they do:** Free trauma-informed legal assistance for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), including representation in family law matters (divorce, parenting plans, child support, and DV protection orders).
- **Free legal clinic every Friday** at YWCA Spokane for IPV survivors.
- **Why this fits you:** You mentioned a prior protection order. The YWCA is specifically designed to help survivors like you.
**4. Spokane County Superior Court – Family Court Facilitator**
- **What they do:** Free assistance to self-represented individuals with forms, procedures, and form review for divorce, custody, child support, and paternity.
- **Important:** Facilitators are not lawyers and cannot give legal advice, but they can help you navigate the court system and complete paperwork correctly.
- **Location:** 1116 W. Broadway, Spokane, WA 99260
- **Hours:** 8:30 AM–12 PM and 1 PM–4:30 PM, Monday–Friday
**5. Spokane Family Law Self-Help Center**
- **What they do:** Free computer lab to print and file forms, free form proofreading, limited coaching, and free legal clinics and workshops for Spokane County residents.
- **Website:** familylaw.spofi.org
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### 📞 Statewide Washington Legal Aid
**6. CLEAR (Coordinated Legal Education, Advice and Referral) – Northwest Justice Project**
- **What they do:** Toll‑free telephone service for eligible low‑income Washington residents to obtain free legal assistance with civil legal problems, including family law and domestic violence.
- **Phone:** 1-888-201-1014 (free legal help line)
- **Online application:** Available via Washington Law Help (washingtonlawhelp.org).
**7. Washington Law Help (washingtonlawhelp.org)**
- **What they do:** Free self‑help court forms, instructions, and legal information for family law cases, including creating parenting plans and calculating child support.
- **Form Library:** Provides blank court forms and the WA Forms Online program to fill them out digitally.
- **Custody Guides:** Explains how parenting plans and residential schedules work in Washington (state law uses "parenting plans" not "custody").
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## 🛡️ Court Hearing Advice: Handling False Allegations & Prior Protection Order
### ✅ What to Do Before the Hearing
**1. File a Written Response**
- Submit a written response to his request for order, **addressing each false claim with factual evidence**.
- Clearly **deny** false allegations and state the truth in plain, specific language.
- Request that the court consider the **prior protection order against him** – this is a major factor showing a history of abusive behavior.
**2. Gather and Organize Your Evidence**
| What to Collect | Why It Helps |
| :--- | :--- |
| **Protection order documentation** | Proves a history of domestic violence, which strongly weighs against him having primary custody. |
| **Texts, emails, voicemails** | Contradicts his false claims and shows his true behavior. Save everything. |
| **Witness list** (neighbors, teachers, coaches) | Credible witnesses can attest to your parenting abilities and counter false accusations. |
| **Timeline of events** | A clear, written timeline of incidents helps you stay organized and persuasive in court. |
**3. Request Remote Appearance**
- Since you live in King County but your case is in Spokane, you may be able to appear by **Zoom video** to avoid traveling 250 miles.
- Spokane County family court uses Zoom. Check your hearing notice for the **Zoom ID**, or contact the court for information.
- **Email the court to confirm your hearing** by 4:00 p.m. three court days prior to the hearing at **familylaw@spokanecounty.org** or call (509) 477-5702 ext. 0.
**4. Seek Help from the Family Court Facilitator or Self‑Help Center**
- Visit the **Spokane County Superior Court Family Court Facilitator** or **Spokane Family Law Self‑Help Center** **before your hearing** to get help reviewing your forms and understanding court procedures.
- They cannot give legal advice, but they can help you avoid critical errors in your filings.
### ✅ What to Do During the Hearing
**1. Stay Calm, Respected, and Fact‑Focused**
- **Keep your tone calm and professional, even if the other party is not.**
- **Let your evidence speak for itself.** Judges take notice of how people present themselves, and staying grounded reinforces your position.
- **Focus on facts and timelines**, not emotions.
- **You don't need to prove every lie** – just enough to show the judge that there are serious credibility concerns with his claims.
**2. Highlight the Prior Protection Order**
- The prior protection order against him is powerful evidence. Remind the judge of its existence and why it was issued.
- In Washington, a protection order can immediately impact parenting time and may limit his ability to have contact with the children.
**3. Stick to the "Best Interest of the Child"**
- In Washington, courts evaluate parenting plans based on what is best for the child. Emphasize your **consistent involvement**, **stable home environment**, and **ability to provide a safe, loving space**.
**4. Do Not Let Him Provoke You**
- In high‑conflict cases, the other party may try to bait you into an outburst. **Do not take the bait.** Stay professional at all times, both in and out of court.
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## 🚩 Key Points to Remember
| Issue | Your Advantage |
| :--- | :--- |
| **Prior protection order against him** | Counts heavily against his claim for primary custody. A history of domestic violence is a significant factor in Washington custody determinations. |
| **False accusations** | Respond in writing with factual denials and evidence. You don't need to disprove every lie – just show there are credibility concerns. |
| **Low income** | You qualify for free legal assistance through Inland Empire Legal Aid (IELA), CLEAR, YWCA Spokane, and the Volunteer Lawyers Program. |
| **Living in King County / case in Spokane** | You can request to appear by Zoom. Contact the court to confirm. Use the Family Court Facilitator or Self‑Help Center to prepare remotely. |
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## 📞 Immediate Action Steps
1. **Call CLEAR (1-888-201-1014)** today to be screened for free legal aid eligibility. They can refer you to the right resource for your situation.
2. **Contact the Volunteer Lawyers Program (SpokaneVLP.org)** to inquire about a **free legal clinic** before your hearing.
3. **Visit or call the Spokane County Superior Court Family Court Facilitator** (509‑477‑5702) for help with your court forms.
4. **Organize your evidence**: protection order documentation, texts/emails, and a witness list.
5. **Draft a written response** to his motion, denying false allegations point by point with factual evidence.
6. **Email the court to confirm your hearing** by 4:00 p.m. three court days prior to the hearing: **familylaw@spokanecounty.org**
7. **Request a Zoom appearance** if you cannot travel to Spokane.
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**Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer. This does not constitute legal advice but rather a personal opinion based on general information. Laws vary by jurisdiction, and you should consult with a qualified attorney for advice on your specific situation.**
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