Washington FL Non-Parent 415 is the Response to Non-Parent Custody Petition, the form a parent, guardian, or custodian files to answer a non-parent (often a grandparent or relative) who has asked a Superior Court for custody of a child under Chapter 26.10 RCW. When someone who is not your child’s parent sues for custody, this is the document that lets you tell the court your side and protect your role in your child’s life.
This is the Mandatory Form, revised 07/2017, and it cites RCW 4.28.010 and 26.10.030(2) right on the page footer, so check that date before you begin so you know you have the current version from the Washington Courts forms site. Miss the deadline to file this form and the court can hand custody of your child to the non-parent through a default judgment without ever hearing from you, which is why every box on these five pages matters.
If you were served, you have only 20 days to respond (60 days if served outside Washington), and the Summons (FL Non-Parent 400) spells out that hard cutoff. Roughly a third of contested family law cases see at least one party miss a filing deadline, and a default is one of the fastest ways a parent loses time-sharing rights.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- üìù How to mark every “agree / disagree / don’t know” box in Sections 1‚Äì19 so the court reads your position correctly
- ‚è∞ The exact 20-day and 60-day deadlines and what a default judgment does to your custody rights
- üë® How to choose between the three Request options and ask for visitation, protection, or a restraining order
- ✍️ Three full filled-out examples that walk named parents through the form line by line
- ‚ùì Answers to the field-level questions parents ask most, from firearm surrender to the Confidential Information form
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
FL Non-Parent 415 is your formal written answer to a Non-Parent Custody Petition, which a non-parent starts using FL Non-Parent 401. The petitioner is asking a judge to give them custody of a child who is not theirs by birth or adoption, usually because they claim the child is not living with a parent or that staying with a parent would cause harm. Your Response tells the court whether you agree or disagree with each claim and what orders you want instead.
You must file this form if you are a Respondent named in the case. Respondents include the child’s parents and any current guardian or custodian. Even if you are not the parent the non-parent is fighting, if your name is in the “Respondents” caption, you have the right and the duty to respond.
The receiving agency is the Superior Court Clerk in the Washington county where the case was filed, and the legal authority is RCW 26.10.030, which governs non-parental custody actions. The deadline comes from the Summons and CR 4.1, and the penalty for ignoring it is a default judgment under CR 55. Each piece connects: the statute creates the case, the Summons sets your clock, the Clerk holds your filing, and the default rule punishes silence.
It helps to know that Washington has shifted most new non-parent cases into the minor guardianship system under Title 11 RCW. FL Non-Parent 415 still governs existing Chapter 26.10 custody cases and any case the court is hearing under that chapter, so use it when the petition served on you is a Non-Parent Custody Petition, not a guardianship petition. If you were served a guardianship petition instead, ask the Family Law Facilitator at your courthouse which response form applies.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything before you open the form so you do not stall halfway and risk missing your deadline. The non-parent already filed a petition full of claims, and you answer each one, so you need that petition in front of you the whole time.
- The Petition (FL Non-Parent 401) you were served. You respond section by section, so without it you cannot mark agree or disagree correctly, and guessing leads to wrong answers.
- The Summons (FL Non-Parent 400). It shows the exact date you were served, which sets your 20-day or 60-day deadline; lose track of this and you risk default.
- The case number. The Clerk assigned it when the petition was filed; writing the wrong number can route your Response into the wrong file.
- The county and Superior Court name. Your Response must match the caption on the petition, or the Clerk may reject it.
- Children’s full legal names and birth dates. You confirm or correct the petitioner’s list of children, and a mismatch can confuse the record.
- Your current mailing address for legal papers. The court and other parties send notices here, and a bad address means you miss hearings.
- Any existing protection or restraining orders. Section 4 asks about current orders, and leaving out a real one can create conflicting court orders.
- A proposed Residential Schedule (FL Non-Parent 405), if you want visitation. Without it, the court has nothing to approve when you ask for time with your child.
- Your reasons for disagreeing, written out. Page 2 gives you space to explain, and vague reasons weaken your position before a judge.
- The Confidential Information form (FL All Family 001). The form expressly requires you to file this; skip it and the Clerk may not process your case.
If any item is missing, do not wait until day 19 to find it. Call the Clerk’s Office for a copy of the petition, or ask the Family Law Facilitator for help reading it.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official statewide form lives on the Washington Courts website. Download FL Non-Parent 415 here as a fillable PDF so you can type your answers, which the court prefers over hard-to-read handwriting. Always pull the form from the courts site rather than a random third party, because outdated copies still float around online and the court can reject a superseded version.
You can also find it through Washington Law Help, a free legal aid site that bundles non-parent custody forms with plain-language instructions. Many county Superior Court Clerk offices keep paper packets too, and the Family Law Facilitator in your county can hand you the right set and check that you have the current revision.
When you open the PDF, type directly into the fields, then print it to sign. Do not sign electronically unless your county’s e-filing rules allow it. Keep the original signed copy and make at least two photocopies: one for the petitioner and one for your own records. The free fillable PDF saves your typed text only if you download it first and open it in a PDF reader, so save it to your device before filling it in.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out FL Non-Parent 415 Line by Line
The form runs five pages. The top is the caption, the heart is the Section 1–19 response grid, and the back pages hold your Requests and signature. Fill it out in the order it appears.
Caption: County, Children, Petitioners, and Respondents
What this asks in plain English. The top of page 1 asks which court the case is in, who the children are, who started the case (Petitioners), and who is answering (Respondents). It also has a blank for the case number.
How to answer it. Copy the county, child names, petitioner names, and respondent names exactly as they appear on the petition you were served. Print the case number in the “No.” box. Use the same spelling and order so the documents match.
Example. Diana Reyes, a mother responding in Pierce County, writes Pierce after “County of,” lists her son Mateo Reyes under Children, types her own mother Gloria Reyes under Petitioner, and writes Diana Reyes under Respondents, then enters 24-3-01892-1 in the No. box.
Nuance or edge case. If there are two respondents, such as both parents, list both names even if only one of you is filing this Response. Each respondent may file a separate Response, but the caption stays the same.
Common mistake and consequence. Writing the wrong case number or a misspelled child’s name. The Clerk may file your Response in the wrong case or kick it back, and while you fix it your 20-day clock keeps running toward default.
Misconception. Some parents think they can shorten or “clean up” the caption. You cannot. The caption must mirror the petition word for word, or the court may not connect your Response to the right matter.
Section 1 of the Response Grid: Sections 1‚Äì19 Agree / Disagree / Don’t Know
What this asks in plain English. This grid lists the 19 numbered sections of the petition and asks you to check one box for each: I agree, I disagree, or I don’t know. It is your point-by-point reply to everything the non-parent claimed.
How to answer it. Read each section of the petition first, then check the matching box on the Response. Check “I agree” only if you accept everything in that section. If you disagree with even one sentence, check “I disagree.” Check “I don’t know” only when you truly lack the information.
Example. Diana reads petition Section 5, “Why the children should not live with a parent.” She believes Mateo is safe with her, so she checks I disagree for line 5. She accepts the child’s name and birth date, so she checks I agree for line 2.
Nuance or edge case. The form tells you that if you disagree with any part of a section, you check “I disagree” for the whole section, then explain the specific part later on page 2. Do not split a section.
Common mistake and consequence. Checking “I agree” out of habit or to seem cooperative. Agreeing with Section 5 or 6 can be read as admitting the child should not live with a parent, which can hand the case to the petitioner.
Misconception. Many parents think “I don’t know” is a safe, neutral choice. It is not always neutral; for claims you can actually verify, “I don’t know” can look like you cannot dispute the petitioner, so use it only for facts you genuinely cannot confirm.
The 19 Sections Explained: Lines 1 Through 19
What this asks in plain English. Each numbered line matches a topic in the petition. Lines 1–4 cover who everyone is. Lines 5–7 cover the core custody and visitation claims. Lines 8–19 cover support, jurisdiction, Indian child status, existing orders, fees, and other requests.
How to answer it. Go line by line. The high-stakes lines for a parent are 5 (why the children should not live with a parent), 6 (why the children should live with petitioners), and 7 (your visitation). Most parents who want to keep custody check I disagree on 5 and 6. Lines 13 and 14 ask about Indian children under ICWA and the Washington ICWA; answer honestly, because tribal jurisdiction can change the whole case.
Example. James Carter, a father in Spokane County, checks I disagree on lines 5, 6, and 7, I agree on lines 1, 2, and 9, and I don’t know on line 12 because he is unsure whether another custody case exists in Oregon.
Nuance or edge case. Line 9, “Personal jurisdiction over Respondents,” matters if you do not live in Washington. If you disagree that the court has power over you, check “I disagree” and raise it fast, because acting like a full participant can waive the objection.
Common mistake and consequence. Skipping lines and leaving boxes blank. A blank line gives the court no position from you, and the judge may treat the petitioner’s claim on that point as unopposed.
Misconception. Parents often think Section 13 only matters if they are enrolled tribal members. ICWA can apply if the child is eligible for membership, so answer based on the child’s heritage, not just paperwork you hold.
Page 2‚Äì3: “List Your Reasons for Disagreeing”
What this asks in plain English. For every section where you checked “I disagree,” this part asks you to write the section number and explain why you disagree in plain facts.
How to answer it. Enter the section number on the “Section #” line, then write clear, specific reasons. Stick to facts the court can act on: what you do for the child, where the child lives, what care you provide. Avoid insults and stay factual.
Example. Diana writes Section #: 5 and her reason: “Mateo has lived with me his whole life. I work full time, he is enrolled at Lincoln Elementary, and I meet all his medical and daily needs. He is not in danger.”
Nuance or edge case. The form gives limited lines. If you run out of room, the instructions say you may add pages; number, date, and sign each added page so the court accepts them as part of your Response.
Common mistake and consequence. Writing vague reasons like “she is lying.” A judge cannot weigh that, and a weak explanation can make even a strong case look thin at the adequate cause hearing.
Misconception. Some parents believe this section is where they tell their whole life story. It is not a declaration; keep it focused on the specific claims you disputed, and save detailed testimony for a separate declaration if needed.
Section 2: Request — What You Ask the Court to Do
What this asks in plain English. This is the heart of your ask. You pick one of three options: deny the petition, let the petitioner have custody but grant your requests in Sections 3–7, or let the petitioner have custody and approve everything they asked for.
How to answer it. Check “deny the Non-Parent Custody Petition” if you want to keep custody. Check the middle box if you accept the petitioner having custody but still want visitation, protection, or other relief. Check the third box only if you fully consent; it tells you to skip to Section 7 and sign.
Example. James checks deny the Non-Parent Custody Petition because he wants his daughter returned to him. Robert Nguyen, a father who is incarcerated, checks the middle box because he accepts his sister having custody for now but wants a visitation schedule.
Nuance or edge case. The middle box is for parents who are not fighting custody but still want a voice. If you check it, you must complete Sections 3–7 to spell out what you want.
Common mistake and consequence. Checking the third box (“approve all the requests”) without reading the petition. That box is a full surrender of your contested rights, and once the order is entered it is hard to undo.
Misconception. Parents often think checking “deny” alone is enough to win. Denying is your position, but you still must back it up with your page-2 reasons and show up at the hearing.
Section 3: Respondents’ Visitation
What this asks in plain English. If the court does give custody to the petitioner, this asks what visitation you want with your child. You either ask the court to approve your proposed Residential Schedule or describe another arrangement.
How to answer it. Check “approve my proposed Residential Schedule (form FL Non-Parent 405)” if you have filled out that schedule, and file it with your Response. Or check “other” and describe the time you want in the blank.
Example. Robert checks the FL Non-Parent 405 box and attaches a schedule asking for supervised visits every other Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until his release.
Nuance or edge case. You can ask for visitation even while you check “deny” in Section 2, as a backup in case the court rules against you. Planning for both outcomes protects your time with the child.
Common mistake and consequence. Checking the FL Non-Parent 405 box but never filing the schedule. With no schedule in the file, the court has nothing to approve and may set no visitation at all.
Misconception. Some parents think the court will automatically give them generous visitation. It will not; you must propose specific days and times, or you risk a bare-bones or supervised schedule.
Section 4: Protection Order
What this asks in plain English. This asks whether you want the court to issue an Order for Protection as part of the final orders, and whether one already exists between you and another person.
How to answer it. Check “No” if you do not want one. Check “Yes” if you do, but note the form warns you must file a separate Petition for Order for Protection ‚Äî form DV-1.015 for domestic violence or UHST-02.0200 for harassment ‚Äî using the same case number. If an order already exists, check the third box and fill in the other person’s name, the court, the case number, and the expiration date.
Example. Diana checks No. Aisha Bello, a mother who already has a domestic violence order against the petitioner’s adult son, checks the third box and writes Court: King County Superior Court, Case No. 23-2-04417-7, expires 11/30/2026.
Nuance or edge case. The form flags that if you need protection now, you should ask the Clerk about a Temporary Order for Protection rather than waiting for final orders.
Common mistake and consequence. Checking “Yes” but never filing the separate petition. The custody case will not generate a protection order on its own, so you stay unprotected.
Misconception. Parents often think checking “Yes” here is the protection order request. It is only a notice of intent; the actual order requires the separate DV-1.015 or UHST-02.0200 petition.
Section 5: Restraining Order
What this asks in plain English. This asks whether you want a Restraining Order in the final orders and, if so, exactly what it should do: do-not-disturb, stay-away, do-not-hurt-or-threaten, and weapons surrender.
How to answer it. Check “No” to skip it. Check “Yes” and then check each specific protection you want. For stay-away, fill in the distance in feet. For weapons, check who receives surrendered firearms: the police chief or sheriff, the person’s lawyer, or another named person.
Example. Aisha checks Yes, then Do not hurt or threaten and Stay away, writes 500 feet, and checks Prohibit weapons and order surrender, choosing the police chief or sheriff to hold the firearms.
Nuance or edge case. The form warns that if the court restrains someone, it must consider weapons restrictions under state law, and federal law may bar that person from firearms. To get a restraining order now, you must file FL Non-Parent 423 (with a custody motion) or FL Non-Parent 421 for an immediate ex parte order.
Common mistake and consequence. Checking “Yes” but leaving the type boxes blank. An empty restraining-order request gives the judge nothing to order, so no protection issues.
Misconception. People confuse a restraining order with a protection order. In family cases the restraining order is built into your final custody orders, while a protection order is a separate case under a different statute.
Section 6: Fees and Costs
What this asks in plain English. This asks whether you want the court to order someone to pay court costs, guardian ad litem fees, lawyer fees, and other reasonable fees.
How to answer it. Check “No request” if you are not asking for fees. Check the second box if you want the court to decide who pays costs, GAL fees, and attorney fees. The judge weighs each side’s need and ability to pay.
Example. James, who spent his savings hiring a lawyer to fight a meritless petition, checks the box asking the court to order who should pay for court costs, guardian ad litem fees, lawyer fees, and other reasonable fees.
Nuance or edge case. A guardian ad litem is often appointed in non-parent cases, and those fees add up; asking the court to allocate them early can protect you from a surprise bill.
Common mistake and consequence. Assuming the loser automatically pays. Washington courts do not award fees by default, so if you never ask, you almost certainly never get them.
Misconception. Parents think asking for fees makes them look greedy. Courts treat fee requests as routine, and a fair allocation can be the difference between affording the fight and not.
Section 7: Other Requests
What this asks in plain English. This is an open space for anything you want that did not fit the boxes above, such as a name on the child’s school records or a specific holiday schedule.
How to answer it. Write any additional request in plain language. Keep it relevant to custody, visitation, or the child’s welfare. If you have nothing to add, you may leave it blank.
Example. Robert writes: “I ask to receive copies of my daughter’s report cards and medical records, and to be notified of any move out of state.”
Nuance or edge case. Use this space for reasonable, specific asks. Broad demands like “give me everything” carry no weight; concrete requests the court can write into an order do.
Common mistake and consequence. Cramming legal arguments here. This is for requests, not argument, and burying an argument can cause the court to overlook it; put argument in your reasons or a declaration.
Misconception. Some think this section is required. It is optional, and an empty box does not hurt you, so only use it when you have a genuine extra request.
Page 5: Signature, Declaration, and Service Address
What this asks in plain English. The final page is your sworn signature under penalty of perjury, the count of attached pages, the city and state where you signed, the date, your printed name, and the address where you accept legal papers.
How to answer it. Enter the number of attached pages. Write the city and state where you sign and the date. Sign on the “Respondent signs here” line and print your name. Check whether papers go to your lawyer’s address or another address, then fill it in. Add an email if you want.
Example. Diana writes 2 attached pages, signs at Tacoma, Washington, dates it 05/30/2026, prints Diana Reyes, and lists a P.O. box as her service address so the petitioner does not learn her home address.
Nuance or edge case. The service address does not have to be your home address, which protects parents with safety concerns. If it changes before the case ends, you must notify everyone using FL All Family 120.
Common mistake and consequence. Forgetting to sign or sign-dating without the perjury declaration intact. An unsigned Response is not valid, and the Clerk can reject it, pushing you toward default.
Misconception. Parents think the Confidential Information form is optional. The form’s bold “Important!” note says you must file FL All Family 001 with the Clerk, and skipping it can stall your filing.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three of the most common situations parents face with this form. Each follows one parent from caption to signature.
Scenario 1: Diana Fully Opposes Her Mother’s Petition
Diana’s mother, Gloria, petitioned for custody of seven-year-old Mateo, claiming Diana cannot care for him. Diana disagrees with everything and wants the petition denied.
| Form Section | What Diana Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | County of Pierce; Children: Mateo Reyes; Petitioner: Gloria Reyes; Respondent: Diana Reyes; No. 24-3-01892-1 |
| Section 2 (Children) | I agree |
| Section 5 (Why children should not live with a parent) | I disagree |
| Section 6 (Why children should live with Petitioners) | I disagree |
| Section 7 (Respondents’ Visitation) | I disagree |
| Reasons (page 2) | Section 5: Mateo has lived with me his whole life, attends Lincoln Elementary, and I meet all his needs. He is safe. |
| Section 2 Request | Deny the Non-Parent Custody Petition |
| Section 6 (Fees and costs) | No request |
| Signature | Signed at Tacoma, WA on 05/30/2026; Diana Reyes; service address: P.O. Box 4421, Tacoma, WA 98404 |
Scenario 2: Robert Agrees to Custody but Wants Visitation
Robert is incarcerated and accepts his sister Tina caring for his daughter Lily for now, but he wants a set visitation schedule and to stay informed.
| Form Section | What Robert Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | County of Spokane; Children: Lily Nguyen; Petitioner: Tina Nguyen; Respondent: Robert Nguyen; No. 25-3-00210-3 |
| Section 5 (Why children should not live with a parent) | I agree |
| Section 7 (Respondents’ Visitation) | I disagree |
| Section 2 Request | Give custody to Petitioners but grant my requests in sections 3 – 7 |
| Section 3 (Visitation) | Approve my proposed Residential Schedule (FL Non-Parent 405) |
| Section 5 (Restraining order) | No |
| Section 7 (Other requests) | Send me Lily’s report cards and medical records; notify me before any out-of-state move. |
| Signature | Signed at Airway Heights, WA on 05/30/2026; Robert Nguyen; service address listed |
Scenario 3: Aisha Opposes and Requests a Restraining Order
The grandparents petitioned for custody of Aisha’s son, and their adult son has threatened her. Aisha opposes custody and wants protection built into the final orders.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption | County of King; Children: Omar Bello; Petitioners: David and Carol Bello; Respondent: Aisha Bello; No. 24-3-07734-9 |
| Section 5 (Why children should not live with a parent) | I disagree |
| Section 6 (Why children should live with Petitioners) | I disagree |
| Reasons (page 2) | Sections 5 & 6: Omar is healthy and enrolled in school under my care; petitioners’ claims are false. |
| Section 2 Request | Deny the Non-Parent Custody Petition |
| Section 4 (Protection Order) | There already is an Order for Protection — King County Superior Court, No. 23-2-04417-7, expires 11/30/2026 |
| Section 5 (Restraining order) | Yes — Stay away (500 feet); Do not hurt or threaten; Prohibit weapons and surrender to sheriff |
| Signature | Signed at Seattle, WA on 05/30/2026; Aisha Bello; service address: P.O. Box 1190, Seattle, WA 98101 |
How to File the Completed Form
You must serve your Response on the petitioner and file it with the Superior Court Clerk by your deadline. There is no filing fee to file a Response, since the fee was paid when the petition started the case, so cost should never stop you from answering.
- In person. Take your signed original plus copies to the Superior Court Clerk in the county on your caption. Documents with no fee can go in the Clerk’s drop box or to the customer-service clerk, per county practice like Snohomish County’s filing rules. The Clerk stamps your copy as proof of filing; keep it.
- By mail. Mail your signed original to the Clerk’s Office for that county. No fee is required for the Response, but include a self-addressed stamped envelope and ask for a conformed (stamped) copy back as your proof.
- E-filing. Many counties use the Odyssey File & Serve system under GR 30. There is no charge to use eFileWA itself; you only pay any statutory fees, and a Response has none. Save the system’s confirmation email as proof of filing.
- Fax. A few counties accept fax filing under local rules; call the Clerk first, because most now route you to e-filing instead.
For all channels, you must separately serve the petitioner a copy, usually by mail since they already appeared in the case, and file proof of that service. Keep your stamped copy, your Confidential Information form receipt, and any e-filing confirmation together in one folder.
What Happens After You File
Once you file and serve your Response on time, you stay in the case and the court must give you notice of every hearing. The next major step is usually an adequate cause hearing, where the judge decides whether the petitioner has shown enough to move forward, much like the threshold described in the non-parent custody FAQ guidance. If the petitioner fails that test, the court can dismiss the petition.
The court often appoints a guardian ad litem to investigate and report what is best for the child. You may also be ordered to mediation or a settlement conference before trial. Throughout, you can file declarations and evidence supporting the reasons you wrote on page 2.
If you had not responded, the petitioner could ask for a default judgment under CR 55, and the court could grant custody without hearing from you. By responding, you keep your right to be heard, to cross-examine, and to ask the court to deny the petition at a final hearing.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Missing the 20-day deadline. The court can enter a default and grant custody to the non-parent without your input.
- Using the wrong case number or caption. Your Response may be filed in the wrong case or rejected while your clock runs out.
- Checking “I agree” on Sections 5 or 6. You may be read as admitting the child should not live with a parent, undercutting your custody.
- Leaving response boxes blank. The court treats unanswered points as unopposed and may accept the petitioner’s claims.
- Writing vague reasons on page 2. A judge cannot weigh “she’s lying,” so weak reasons make a strong case look thin.
- Checking “approve all requests” by accident. You surrender your contested rights, and the resulting order is hard to undo.
- Requesting visitation but not filing FL Non-Parent 405. The court has no schedule to approve, so you may get no set visitation.
- Checking “Yes” for a protection order but not filing DV-1.015. No protection order issues from the custody case alone.
- Forgetting to sign or date the perjury declaration. An unsigned Response is invalid and can be rejected.
- Skipping the Confidential Information form (FL All Family 001). The Clerk may not fully process your filing.
- Listing your home address when safety is a concern. You can use any service address, and exposing your home can endanger you.
- Not keeping proof of filing and service. Without a stamped copy or confirmation, you cannot prove you met the deadline.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do read the entire petition first, because every box you check is an answer to a specific claim in it.
- Do respond within 20 days so you avoid a default that can cost you custody.
- Do file the Confidential Information form, since the court requires it to process your case.
- Do attach a Residential Schedule if you want visitation, so the court has something concrete to approve.
- Do keep stamped copies and confirmations, because they prove you filed and served on time.
- Do ask the Family Law Facilitator when a section confuses you, since free help can prevent a costly error.
Don’ts
- Don’t leave any of Sections 1‚Äì19 blank, because silence is read as no objection.
- Don’t insult the petitioner on page 2, since judges weigh facts, not name-calling.
- Don’t check “approve all requests” unless you truly consent, because it ends your fight.
- Don’t sign without reading the perjury declaration, since false statements carry real penalties.
- Don’t assume the court will award fees or visitation automatically, because you must ask for both.
- Don’t wait until the last day to find the petition or forms, since delays push you toward default.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing On Your Own (Pro Se) | Filing With a Lawyer or Facilitator |
|---|---|
| Pro: Free or very low cost, since there is no fee to file a Response. | Pro: A lawyer spots traps like the Section 5–6 admission problem before you check the wrong box. |
| Pro: You control your own timeline and filings. | Pro: Professional help strengthens your page-2 reasons and hearing strategy. |
| Pro: Free guidance is available from the Family Law Facilitator. | Pro: A lawyer can handle the adequate cause hearing and cross-examination for you. |
| Pro: You learn your own case deeply. | Pro: You may recover some fees if the court orders the other side to pay. |
| Pro: No waiting on an attorney’s schedule to meet your deadline. | Pro: Less risk of a fatal technical mistake that triggers default. |
| Con: Easy to miss deadlines or check the wrong box. | Con: Attorney fees can be high in a contested custody fight. |
| Con: No one reviews your strategy before you file. | Con: You may wait for appointments, which is risky near a deadline. |
| Con: Court rules and ICWA issues are hard to handle alone. | Con: You give up some day-to-day control of your case. |
FAQs
Do I have to respond if I am not the parent the non-parent is fighting?
Yes. If your name appears as a Respondent in the caption, you must respond or risk a default judgment, even if the petitioner’s main dispute is with the other parent.
Is there a filing fee for FL Non-Parent 415?
No. The Response has no filing fee, because the fee was paid when the petition started the case, so cost is never a reason to skip filing.
Do I write “I disagree” on Section 5 if I want to keep my child?
Yes. Section 5 is the claim that the children should not live with a parent, so a parent fighting for custody almost always checks “I disagree” there and explains why on page 2.
Can I check “I don’t know” for boxes I am unsure about?
Yes. But use it only for facts you truly cannot verify, because for claims you could confirm it can read as a failure to dispute the petitioner.
Do I write my home address in the service address box?
No. The form says the service address does not have to be your home, so survivors and others with safety concerns can list a P.O. box or alternate address.
Is the Confidential Information form really required?
Yes. The form’s bold “Important!” note directs you to file FL All Family 001 with the Clerk, and skipping it can stall your case.
Do I need to file a separate form to get a protection order?
Yes. Checking “Yes” in Section 4 is only notice; you must file a separate Petition for Order for Protection (DV-1.015 or UHST-02.0200) using the same case number.
Can I ask for visitation and still ask the court to deny the petition?
Yes. You can check “deny” in Section 2 and still propose a Residential Schedule as a backup in case the court rules against you.
Will I get my Response in on time if I mail it on day 20?
No. Your Response must be filed and served by the deadline, so mail it early enough to arrive, or use in-person or e-filing to be safe.
Do I have to fill in Section 7, Other Requests?
No. Section 7 is optional, and leaving it blank does not hurt you, so use it only for genuine extra requests like school or medical records.
Can the court take my child if I miss the deadline?
Yes. If you do not file and serve a Response or Notice of Appearance on time, the court can enter a default and grant the petitioner’s requests without hearing you.
Do I answer Sections 13 and 14 only if I am an enrolled tribal member?
No. ICWA can apply if the child is merely eligible for tribal membership, so answer based on the child’s heritage, not only on enrollment paperwork you hold.
Can I add extra pages if I run out of room for my reasons?
Yes. The form lets you attach more pages, but you must number, date, and sign each added page so the court accepts them as part of your Response.
Do I need a lawyer to fill out this form?
No. Many parents file pro se with free help from the Family Law Facilitator, though a lawyer reduces the risk of a costly mistake in a contested case.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Washington Form FL All Family 001 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form FL All Family 130 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form FL All Family 131 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form FL Parentage 301 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington Form FL Parentage 332 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Washington FL Modify 601 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-120 (w/Examples) + FAQs