Washington Legal Guides
28 guides covering Washington topics, each with Caselaw search beside the article.
Where to search Washington lawFree caselaw search for Washington — search by citation, case name, or legal issue, with full text and PDFs.
- Adverse Possession in Washington
Washington adverse possession: 10 years, or 7 years with color of title and taxes under RCW 4.16.020, 7.28.050, 7.28.070. Elements, taxes, color of title, and linked Washington opinions.
- A Working Guide to Expungement in Washington
Washington expungement begins with Wash. Rev. Code § 13.50.150, confidential records. This guide follows that petition, the records that travel under a different section, and the opinions that have already decided these requests.
- Can I Get Sued After a Car Accident in Washington? Does Fault Matter?
Washington car accident lawsuits and fault: pure comparative fault (recovery reduced by your share of fault, with no percentage bar) under Wash. Rev. Code § 4.22.005, when you can sue or be sued, insurance rules, and the statute of limitations (Three years for personal injury actions under Wash. Rev. Code § 4.16.080(2).).
- Castle Doctrine in Washington: Deadly Force Against Intruders
Washington castle doctrine: when occupants may use deadly force against home intruders, key statutes (Wash. Rev. Code § 9A.16.050), presumptions, and leading cases.
- Child Custody and Parenting Time in Washington
How Washington courts decide custody and parenting time under Wash. Rev. Code §§ 26.09.184 to 26.09.260, including best-interests factors, relocation, and modification.
- Court Holds Beneficiary Designation Form Not an ERISA “Plan Document”
ERISA is a federal statutory system that governs most corporate retirement plans. At the heart of the operation of an ERISA- governed plan is the concept of the “plan documents.” In a case of first impression, a Federal Court of Appeals hol…
- DUI Penalties in Washington
Washington DUI penalties under Wash. Rev. Code § 46.61.502: BAC limits, first-offense range, when a DUI becomes a felony, and ignition-interlock rules.
- How Does Bond Work in Washington? Bail and Pretrial Release Explained
Washington bail and bond explained: Bail at arraignment with release alternatives. Types of release, what judges consider at a bail hearing, forfeiture risks, and linked Washington opinions under Wash. Rev. Code §§ 10.21.010 to 10.21.050.
- How Does Eviction Work in Washington?
Washington eviction / Unlawful detainer under Wash. Rev. Code Chapters 59.12 & 59.18 (unlawful detainer; Residential Landlord-Tenant Act): notices, filing forum, timeline to a writ of possession, and common tenant defenses.
- How Do You Make a Valid Will In Washington?
To make a valid will in Washington State, the will must be: In writing Signed by the testator Witnessed The requirements to make a valid will in Washington are set forth in Washington Rev. Code § 11.12.020 . Who Can Make a Valid Will…
- How to File a Lawsuit Without a Lawyer in Washington: Pro Se Litigation Guide
A practical Washington guide to representing yourself: what statutes, cases, and rules are; how to draft and file a complaint; how service and Odyssey File & Serve / county portals (e.g., LinX in some counties) registration work; discovery; evidence; and how LawDiver helps you research authorities in the corpus.
- How to File for Divorce in Washington
Washington divorce filing guide: At least one party must be a Washington resident; there is no lengthy statewide durational residency beyond domicile at filing for most dissolutions. community property; linked statutes and process overview.
- How to Get a Prison Sentence Reduced in Washington
Paths to shorten or correct a Washington prison sentence under Wash. Rev. Code §§ 10.73.090 to 10.73.160: modification motions, good-time credits, parole, and post-conviction relief — with linked Washington opinions.
- How to Modify Child Support in Washington
Step-by-step guide to modifying a Washington child support order under RCW 26.09.170(5), (7), (9): what counts as a change in circumstances, when changes take effect, and the cases that matter.
- How to Modify Spousal Maintenance in Washington
Step-by-step guide to modifying spousal maintenance in Washington under RCW 26.09.170(1): changed-circumstances standards, retirement and cohabitation rules, when changes take effect, and the cases that matter.
- How to Revoke a Will in Washington State
Aggrieved heirs of a decedent may wish to file an action to revoke or contest a will in Washington State, on grounds such as undue influence, lack of capacity, fraud, or mistake. Under Washington State law, here is how to revoke a will. Wha…
- Is Abortion Legal in Washington?
Washington abortion law after Dobbs: protected access. No near-total ban; reproductive privacy statutes protect abortion access as a fundamental right under state law.. Linked statutes and Washington opinions.
- Security Deposit Return in Washington
How Washington landlords must handle residential security deposits under Wash. Rev. Code §§ 59.18.260 to 59.18.280: limits, return deadlines, and wrongful-withholding remedies.
- Stand Your Ground Laws in Washington
Washington stand-your-ground overview (judicial (case-law) stand-your-ground): duty to retreat, statutes, civil immunity, and controlling cases.
- Surviving Spouse Rights Washington
Surviving spouses have protected rights and benefits under Washington state law, including: Community Property Intestate Share Omitted Spouse Rights Award Allowance Surviving spouse rights in Washington center around community proper…
- The Supreme Court of Washington: Surviving Spouse Gave Up Right to Intestate Succession in Separation Contract
The Supreme Court of Washington held in a May 2020 opinion, In Re Estate of Petelle , that the right of a surviving spouse to intestate succession can be waived in a separation contract, even if not expressly mentioned. Broad language waivi…
- Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Agreements in Washington State
Washington State has a comprehensive statutory system for resolving trust and estate disputes, known as the Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act , ("TEDRA") at Chapter 11.96A RCW. TEDRA contains detailed procedures for litigating and set…
- Washington Child Support Guidelines: How Support Is Calculated
How Washington calculates child support under Wash. Rev. Code ch. 26.19, including the income shares, deviations, modification, and leading cases.
- Washington Evidence Law: Admissibility, Hearsay, and Authenticity
A practitioner guide to Washington evidence law under the Washington Rules of Evidence: general admissibility, character evidence, hearsay and its workhorse exceptions, unavailable declarants, depositions at trial, party admissions, dying declarations, medical statements, and a dedicated authenticity section — with case and statute links in the LawDiver corpus.
- Washington Spousal maintenance: Eligibility, Amount, and Duration
How Washington courts award spousal maintenance under Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.090: eligibility, statutory factors, duration, and leading cases.
- What Happens If I Refuse a Breathalyzer Test in Washington?
Washington implied-consent consequences for refusing a chemical breath or blood test under Wash. Rev. Code § 46.20.308, including license suspension and evidence use.
- Who Are Next Of Kin In Washington?
Next of kin of a decedent under Washington law generally means the persons nearest in degree of blood surviving the decedent, and are the following people in the following order: Spouse Children Parents Siblings Grandparents Aunts and uncle…
- Who Can Serve As Personal Representative Washington State?
Washington state requires that a personal representative must be: At least 18 years old, and Of sound mind Have no felony convictions or convictions for a crime involving moral turpitude. RCW § 11.28.040 and § 26.28.010 , § 11.36.010. Corpo…