State guide
Washington
Washington handles adult guardianship and conservatorship in Superior Court under RCW 11.130, with statewide mandatory forms and a Lay Guardian Toolkit explaining the process. Washington also has an express supported decision-making law, court-approved supported decision-making forms, and a separate protective-arrangement option instead of conservatorship.
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Court that handles adult guardianship
- Adult guardianship and conservatorship petitions are handled in Superior Court.
- What it's called
- guardian (person) and conservator (property/financial affairs)
- Official forms and self-help
- Official page →
- Filing fee
- $290.00; no fee if the petition alleges total assets are less than $3,000
- Less-restrictive alternatives
- Washington has a supported decision-making agreement law and court forms, and state court materials also direct people to explore protective arrangements instead of conservatorship, powers of attorney, and other less restrictive alternatives before filing.
- Law
- RCW chapter 11.130
Official resources in Washington
Official statewide forms page for requesting adult guardianship, conservatorship, or another protective arrangement.
Explains which statewide forms are used and links to packets, checklists, and supported decision-making materials.
Official court self-help page on alternatives such as supported decision-making and protective arrangements.
Main Washington guardianship, conservatorship, protective-arrangement, and supported-decision-making statute.
Largest-county court page with adult guardianship and conservatorship instructions and links for King County residents.
Key facts for Washington
- Washington guardianship and conservatorship cases take place in Superior Court.
- State form GDN C 102 is the petition for guardianship, conservatorship, and/or a protective arrangement.
- Washington has a supported decision-making law in RCW 11.130.700 through 11.130.755.
- King County publishes a $290.00 filing fee for guardianship, conservatorship, or protective arrangement filings.
- No filing fee is charged if the petition alleges total assets under $3,000.
- King County Superior Court says its Ex Parte and Probate Department handles guardianship and probate matters.
County court guardianship pages in Washington
| Court | city | phone | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| King County Superior Court Ex Parte & Probate Department King County | Seattle | 206-477-2517 | Department contact for probate and guardianship matters in King County Superior Court. |
| Ex Parte via the Clerk King County | Seattle | 206-477-0848 | Seattle contact listed for questions about e-filing, status of submitted orders, fees, or general Ex Parte via the Clerk information. |
| Ex Parte via the Clerk King County | Kent | 206-477-3047 | Kent contact listed for questions about e-filing, status of submitted orders, fees, or general Ex Parte via the Clerk information. |
| Family Law Facilitators King County | Seattle | 206-477-2553 | Superior Court contact page lists this program for family-law assistance; King County’s family-law resources include guardianship packets. |
* Not published: the official page doesn't list it. Call the office to confirm before you rely on it.
What to do next
- Use the statewide forms page and Lay Guardian Toolkit together, because Washington filings usually require multiple forms submitted at the same time.
- Review less restrictive alternatives first, especially supported decision-making and protective arrangements, before filing for a full guardianship or conservatorship.
- If you are filing in King County, use the county’s adult guardianship instructions and confirm whether your matter goes through Ex Parte and Probate.
Not seeing your court or county?
Not every court publishes its rules online. Try these, in order:
- General Start with the statewide information above.
- Closest verified Nearest places where we have verified local data outside this state (distance from Washington's population center, for comparison only):
- Multnomah County Circuit Court Probate Department, Oregon · about 136 miles
- Multnomah County Circuit Court Forms, Oregon · about 136 miles
- Multnomah County Public Guardian & Conservator, Oregon · about 136 miles
- Call to confirm Ask the official office.Washington State Courts Forms: Guardianship, Conservatorship, or Other Protective Arrangement
Website →Phone: (888) 201-1014 (as listed on that page, checked Oct 4, 2026)Your city or county office: MRSC Washington city and town profiles →Not sure who handles it locally? USAGov's free help line, 1-844-872-4681, or the Washington page on USA.gov can point you to the right office. - Know the current info? Tell us with a link to the official page.