Courthouse Facilitator

The Cowlitz County Clerk’s Office, located at the Hall of Justice, 312 SW 1st Avenue, Second Floor, Kelso, Washington, has a Courthouse Facilitator available by appointment only. Days and times are subject to change.

The cost of setting an appointment is $20.00, due at the time the appointment is set. We do not accept personal checks. You may pay by credit card here or call 360-577-3016 for more information. Please do not make a credit card payment prior to approval from our office.

Although it is not required by law, the Courthouse Facilitator is available to assist pro se parties with domestic filings (appointment only). HOWEVER -- PER CCLCR 92 BELOW, YOU MUST HAVE YOUR FINAL PLEADINGS REVIEWED: "CCLCR 92" All final decrees, final orders and accompanying findings of fact, conclusion of law, parenting plans, orders of child support, and child support worksheets for family law cases involving children shall be reviewed for form and completeness prior to presentation to a judicial officer by an attorney of record in the case, an attorney who approved the pleadings as to form and completeness, or the COURTHOUSE FACILITATOR.

Appointments can range anywhere from 20-60 minutes in length, depending on the type of case. The Courthouse Facilitator cannot give legal advice but can give procedural and form advice to self-represented parties in family law matters. Here is a document that describes the duties a courthouse facilitator can perform legally.

Facilitator job duties

IF YOU MISS YOUR APPOINTMENT ANOTHER APPOINTMENT FEE WILL BE REQUIRED TO RESCHEDULE

Low Income / Free Legal Services in Cowlitz County

If you are low income and need help with a non-criminal legal problem, you may qualify for free legal services through CLEAR at 1-888-201-1014 or if age 60 or over at 1-888-387-7111. The hotline is open Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Tuesday 3:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.

In order to receive legal aid, you must get a referral from CLEAR. The Cowlitz County Legal Aid Program is located at 1526 Commerce Avenue in Longview, WA, 98632. The Cowlitz County Legal Aid Office sells 8 packets of family law forms. They are: Divorce with children, Legal Separation with children, Parenting Plan #5, Divorce without children, Legal Separation without children, Custody Modification, Child Support Modification and Child Relocation