Washington Form FL All Family 117 is the Notice of Intent to Withdraw that a lawyer files in a family law case to tell the court and the other side that they plan to stop representing their client. The form is published by the Washington Courts and is governed by Civil Rule 71, which controls how and when a Washington attorney can step away from a case.
The form looks short, but a small slip can keep a lawyer locked into a case, expose them to bar complaints under RPC 1.16, or leave a client without notice of a hearing. The Washington Office of the Administrative Office of the Courts reports that family law filings made up more than 149,000 superior court cases in 2023, and attorney withdrawal notices are one of the most common post-filing documents in those files. Here is what this guide gives you:
- 📄 A line-by-line walkthrough of every box on Form FL All Family 117
- 👩⚖️ Three real-world scenarios with named filers and full sample entries
- 🗓️ The exact 10-day timing rule under CR 71 and what triggers it
- 🧾 The required service steps, the certificate of service, and proof to keep
- ⚠️ The top mistakes that void a withdrawal and how to avoid each one
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
Form FL All Family 117 is the standard statewide Notice of Intent to Withdraw used in any Washington family law case, including divorce, legal separation, parentage, child support, parenting plan modification, and committed intimate relationship cases. The form is published by the Washington Administrative Office of the Courts as part of the FL All Family forms set, and every Washington superior court accepts it without local variation in content.
The filer is the attorney of record, not the client. Under CR 71(c), an attorney who has filed a notice of appearance in a case stays the attorney of record until the court enters an order allowing withdrawal, the client signs a substitution, or the attorney files a notice of intent to withdraw that becomes effective by operation of the rule. The form is the cheapest and fastest of those three paths because it does not require a hearing or judge’s signature.
Paralegals often prepare the form, but only the attorney signs it. A pro se party who fired their lawyer does not file this form. Instead, the lawyer files it after the client tells them to stop, after fees go unpaid, or after the lawyer decides under RPC 1.16 that continued representation is no longer allowed.
The form does not apply if a trial date is within 30 days, because LCR 71 in most counties requires a motion and court order in that window. It also does not apply to guardian ad litem withdrawals, which use a different form.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather every piece of paper and every detail before you open the PDF. Missing one item is the most common reason a withdrawal gets bounced by the clerk or challenged by the opposing party. A short pre-filing checklist saves the average Washington family law attorney about 20 minutes per filing, based on the WSBA practice management guides.
- Case caption from the original petition. You need the exact county, case number, and full names of the petitioner and respondent so the clerk can match the notice to the file.
- Client’s current mailing address. CR 71 service runs to the client’s last known address, so a stale address can void the entire notice.
- Client’s current email address. Many counties now allow electronic service under GR 30, and you must list it if you have it.
- Opposing party or opposing counsel’s contact information. You must serve them on the same day you serve the client.
- Date of your notice of appearance. Some counties ask for this on the cover sheet.
- Your WSBA bar number. It must appear under your signature on every Washington court filing.
- Trial date or upcoming hearing dates. If trial is within 30 days, the form alone will not work.
- A clean PDF of the current form. Always download a fresh copy from the Washington Courts forms page so you have the latest revision.
- A method of service for each party. Mail, personal service, or e-service through the county portal.
- Payment method for any local cover sheet fee. The notice itself has no statewide filing fee, but some counties charge for cover sheets.
If any item is missing, stop and find it before filing. A blank “last known address” line is the single fastest way to keep yourself stuck as attorney of record.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The only official source for Form FL All Family 117 is the Washington Courts forms library. The site posts the form in fillable PDF and Word format, and the file name on the server always contains the form number “FL All Family 117” plus the revision month and year. Always confirm the revision date printed in the lower-left corner of page one matches the current posted version before you file.
Third-party legal software like LexisNexis HotDocs and Clio Draft also publish the form, but those copies are only as fresh as the vendor’s last sync. If you pull from a vendor, cross-check the revision date against the AOC’s posted version.
County law libraries, the King County Law Library, and the Snohomish County Bar Association keep printed copies for walk-in use. Pro se parties who receive a notice and want to read the blank form can use these libraries free of charge.
Do not use a scanned copy of someone else’s filled-out form as a template. The bar number, signature block, and case number must be unique to your filing, and re-using another lawyer’s PDF leaves invisible metadata that has triggered sanctions in at least one Washington bar discipline matter.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out FL All Family 117 Line by Line
The form has one page with a caption block, three numbered sections, a signature block, and a certificate of service. Fill each part in order. The line-by-line walkthrough below covers every field with plain English, a sample entry, a nuance, a common mistake, and a misconception.
Caption: Superior Court of Washington, County of ______
This field asks for the county where the underlying family law case is filed. Type the county name in all caps to match the clerk’s docket format, and do not add the word “County” because the form already prints it.
A correct entry looks like KING or PIERCE. Maria Lopez, a Seattle family lawyer withdrawing from a divorce in Seattle, writes KING on this line.
The nuance is venue transfers. If the case moved counties under CR 82, use the new county, not the original one.
The common mistake is writing the city (“Seattle”) instead of the county. The consequence is the clerk rejecting the filing at intake because the caption does not match the docket.
A misconception is that the county can be left blank if the case number is correct. The clerk’s intake software in most counties keys on caption first, case number second, and a blank county fails the first check.
Caption: Petitioner and Respondent Names
This field asks for the full legal names of both parties exactly as they appear on the original petition. Use first, middle, and last name in the same order shown on the case docket, and never substitute initials for full names.
A correct entry for a divorce filed by Maria Lopez against Carlos Lopez is Petitioner: Maria Elena Lopez and Respondent: Carlos Antonio Lopez. If the petition spelled a name wrong, copy the wrong spelling, because the docket is the controlling record.
The nuance is name changes mid-case. If the petitioner restored a former name in a temporary order, keep the caption name from the petition until a final order changes it.
The common mistake is updating a name to match a driver’s license. The consequence is a caption mismatch, which makes the clerk reject the filing or route it to the wrong file.
A misconception is that “et al.” is acceptable for joint parentage cases. Washington family law forms require each party’s full name, and et al. is never accepted on FL All Family 117.
Caption: Case Number
This field asks for the superior court case number assigned at filing. Copy the number exactly, including the year prefix, the two-letter case type code, and all digits.
A correct entry for a 2024 King County divorce is 24-3-01234-5 SEA. The SEA suffix is the location designator and must be included in King County filings under KCLR 0.4.
The nuance is consolidated cases. If two cases were consolidated under CR 42, list only the lead case number unless local rule says otherwise.
The common mistake is dropping the check digit. The consequence is the filing landing in a “case not found” queue, where it can sit for days before a clerk catches it.
A misconception is that the federal case number from a related federal court matter can be cross-referenced here. Only the Washington superior court number belongs on this line.
Section 1: Identifying the Withdrawing Attorney
This field asks who is leaving the case. Type the attorney’s full name, WSBA bar number, firm name, mailing address, phone, and email in the spaces provided.
A correct entry for Janet Kim of Kim Family Law is Janet S. Kim, WSBA #45678, Kim Family Law PLLC, 1200 Fifth Avenue Suite 800, Seattle, WA 98101, (206) 555-0123, janet@kimfamilylaw.com. Use the office address on file with the WSBA membership directory.
The nuance is solo practitioners with home offices. You may use a P.O. Box if it is the address on file with the WSBA, but you must still be reachable by personal service at a physical address listed in WSBA records.
The common mistake is omitting the bar number. The consequence is rejection under GR 14, which requires the bar number on every attorney signature.
A misconception is that the email address is optional. Under GR 30, once you list an email, it becomes a valid service address for the rest of the case.
Section 2: Identifying the Represented Party
This field asks which client the attorney is leaving. Check the box for Petitioner or Respondent and write the client’s full name in the space provided.
A correct entry when Janet Kim represents Maria Lopez is to check the Petitioner box and write Maria Elena Lopez. If you represented both parties under a limited-scope arrangement, you must file two separate notices.
The nuance is intervenors and third-party custodians. If your client is a non-parent intervenor, write “Intervenor” in the margin and circle it so the clerk routes the notice to the right tab.
The common mistake is checking both boxes. The consequence is an ambiguous record, which can leave you stuck representing whichever party the court later decides was your real client.
A misconception is that you can withdraw from “the case” without naming the party. CR 71 requires party-specific withdrawal, because attorneys can represent only one side at a time in family law.
Section 3: Client’s Last Known Address for Service
This field asks for the address where the client should receive court papers after you leave. Write the full street address, city, state, and ZIP, plus an email if the client agreed to electronic service.
A correct entry for Maria Lopez is 1456 NE 65th Street, Apt 3B, Seattle, WA 98115, maria.lopez@gmail.com. Always confirm the address by phone or email within the week before filing.
The nuance is domestic violence cases. If the client has a confidential address under the Address Confidentiality Program, use the ACP substitute address, not the real one.
The common mistake is using the client’s old address from the original petition. The consequence is a void notice, because CR 71 measures the 10-day effective period from service on the current last known address.
A misconception is that the lawyer’s job ends the moment this address is listed. The lawyer still owes a duty to update the client and forward mail received in the 10-day window.
Effective Date Language
This field is pre-printed text that says the withdrawal becomes effective 10 days after service unless the client or another party objects. Do not edit this language, because changing the rule’s wording can make the notice fail under CR 71.
A correct example is leaving the boilerplate untouched and instead writing the calculated effective date in the blank line provided. If you serve on June 1, 2026, the effective date is June 11, 2026.
The nuance is the weekend and holiday rule under CR 6. If day 10 lands on a Saturday, Sunday, or court holiday, the effective date rolls to the next business day.
The common mistake is counting the day of service as day one. The consequence is an effective date one day too early, which lets the opposing side argue the withdrawal is invalid.
A misconception is that you can pick any future date you want. The 10-day floor is mandatory, and you cannot shorten it without a court order.
Signature Block
This field asks for the attorney’s wet or electronic signature, the date of signing, and the printed name and bar number. Sign with an s/ electronic signature if you e-file under GR 30, or sign in blue ink if you file in person.
A correct e-filing signature is s/ Janet S. Kim, WSBA #45678, Dated June 1, 2026. The date here must match the certificate of service date.
The nuance is associate attorneys. If a different lawyer at the firm prepares the form, the lawyer who entered the original notice of appearance must sign, not the drafter.
The common mistake is signing in black ink on a paper filing. King County and several other counties require blue ink on originals to distinguish from photocopies.
A misconception is that a stamped signature counts. It does not under GR 30, which requires a typed s/ or a true handwritten mark.
Certificate of Service
This field asks for proof that the notice went to the client, the opposing party or counsel, and any other party of record. List each recipient, the method of service, and the date served.
A correct entry is I served Maria Elena Lopez by U.S. Mail at 1456 NE 65th Street, Apt 3B, Seattle, WA 98115 and by email at maria.lopez@gmail.com, and Carlos Antonio Lopez through his attorney David Park, WSBA #23456, by email at dpark@parklaw.com, on June 1, 2026. Sign and date the certificate.
The nuance is multi-party cases. If the State of Washington is a party through the Division of Child Support, you must serve the assigned Assistant Attorney General as well.
The common mistake is forgetting to serve the opposing party. The consequence is that the 10-day clock never starts, and you remain attorney of record indefinitely.
A misconception is that emailing the client is enough. Unless the client has consented in writing to electronic service, you must also mail a paper copy.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
The three scenarios below show how three different attorneys complete FL All Family 117 from start to finish. Each table has the form section on the left and the entry on the right.
Scenario 1: Janet Kim withdraws after a successor attorney appears
Janet Kim represented Maria Lopez in a King County divorce. Maria hired David Chen as new counsel, and David filed a notice of appearance two days ago.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| County | KING |
| Petitioner | Maria Elena Lopez |
| Respondent | Carlos Antonio Lopez |
| Case Number | 24-3-01234-5 SEA |
| Withdrawing Attorney | Janet S. Kim, WSBA #45678, Kim Family Law PLLC |
| Represented Party | ☑ Petitioner — Maria Elena Lopez |
| Client’s Last Known Address | c/o David Chen, Chen Law, 500 Union Street, Seattle, WA 98101 |
| Effective Date | June 11, 2026 |
| Signature | s/ Janet S. Kim, WSBA #45678, June 1, 2026 |
| Certificate of Service | Served on Maria Lopez and David Chen by email June 1, 2026 |
Scenario 2: Marcus Reed withdraws and client goes pro se
Marcus Reed represents Aisha Brown in a Pierce County parenting plan modification. Aisha cannot afford continued fees and asked Marcus to step away. No successor counsel is on file.
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| County | PIERCE |
| Petitioner | Aisha N. Brown |
| Respondent | Tyrell J. Brown |
| Case Number | 22-3-04567-1 |
| Withdrawing Attorney | Marcus T. Reed, WSBA #51234, Reed Family Law, 950 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402 |
| Represented Party | ☑ Petitioner — Aisha N. Brown |
| Client’s Last Known Address | 3201 S 19th Street Apt 12, Tacoma, WA 98405, aisha.brown@outlook.com |
| Effective Date | June 18, 2026 |
| Signature | s/ Marcus T. Reed, WSBA #51234, June 8, 2026 |
| Certificate of Service | Mailed to Aisha Brown and emailed opposing counsel Lisa Park June 8, 2026 |
Scenario 3: Priya Shah withdraws with State of Washington as party
Priya Shah represents Daniel Owens, the obligor in a Spokane County child support case where the State is enforcing support through the Division of Child Support.
| Form Section | What Priya Enters |
|---|---|
| County | SPOKANE |
| Petitioner | State of Washington |
| Respondent | Daniel R. Owens |
| Case Number | 23-3-09876-3 |
| Withdrawing Attorney | Priya M. Shah, WSBA #48899, Shah Law Office, 818 W Riverside Ave, Spokane, WA 99201 |
| Represented Party | ☑ Respondent — Daniel R. Owens |
| Client’s Last Known Address | 712 E Sprague Ave, Spokane, WA 99202, dan.owens@gmail.com |
| Effective Date | June 22, 2026 |
| Signature | s/ Priya M. Shah, WSBA #48899, June 12, 2026 |
| Certificate of Service | Served Daniel Owens by mail and email, and AAG Karen Liu by email, June 12, 2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
You can file FL All Family 117 by e-filing through the county portal, by mail to the clerk, or by walking it to the courthouse. Each channel has its own fee structure, processing time, and proof-of-filing rules.
E-filing is allowed in every Washington superior court through the Washington Courts e-filing portal or county systems like King County eFiling and Pierce County LINX. The notice itself has no filing fee. You receive a stamped copy by email within minutes, and that emailed copy is your proof of filing.
Mail filing goes to the county clerk’s office. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can return a conformed copy. Processing time runs three to seven business days in most counties, and there is no fee for the notice.
In-person filing is available at every superior court clerk’s office during business hours. Bring two copies, ask the clerk to conform one with the date stamp, and keep it as proof. There is no fee, but parking and time are real costs in urban courthouses.
Fax filing is no longer accepted in any Washington superior court as of the 2018 transition to mandatory e-filing under GR 30. Do not try to fax the form, because it will not be entered on the docket.
After filing, you must still serve the notice on every party. Filing alone does not start the 10-day clock. Service starts it.
What Happens After You File
Once you file and serve the notice, the 10-day clock under CR 71 begins to run. During those 10 days, the client or any other party can object by filing a written objection with the clerk and serving you with it.
If no one objects, your withdrawal becomes effective on day 11. You are no longer attorney of record, and the court will remove you from the service list and any electronic notification rosters in Odyssey or the county’s case management system.
If a party objects within the 10-day window, the withdrawal is paused. You must then either work out the objection in writing or file a motion under CR 71(c)(3) asking the court to enter an order allowing withdrawal.
You also have a continuing duty under RPC 1.16(d) to return the client’s file, refund any unearned fees, and take steps to protect the client’s interests. Skipping any of these post-filing duties can trigger a bar complaint even after a clean withdrawal.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
A small handful of errors cause most rejected or invalid withdrawals. Each item below is a real mistake and its real consequence.
- Using an old client address. The 10-day clock never starts, and you stay attorney of record.
- Forgetting to serve the opposing party. The notice is void, and the court keeps the old service list.
- Filing within 30 days of trial. Most local rules block the notice and require a motion instead.
- Leaving the bar number off the signature. The clerk rejects under GR 14.
- Counting day one as the day of service. The effective date is wrong by a day.
- Checking both Petitioner and Respondent. The record becomes ambiguous and the notice may be voided.
- Listing a confidential address in plain text. You expose your client and violate the Address Confidentiality Program.
- Using a stamped signature. It fails GR 30 and the filing is rejected.
- Omitting the email service consent line when the client has consented. You lose the ability to serve by email going forward.
- Forgetting the State as a party in child support cases. The State’s deadlines and rights are not preserved, and the notice can be challenged.
- Re-using another lawyer’s PDF as a template. Metadata leaks have triggered WSBA discipline.
- Skipping the conformed copy. You have no proof of filing if the clerk loses the original.
Do’s and Don’ts
These quick rules summarize the habits of attorneys who file FL All Family 117 cleanly.
- Do download a fresh copy of the form from the Washington Courts forms page every time, because revisions happen quietly.
- Do confirm the client’s last known address by phone or email in the same week you file.
- Do calculate the effective date using CR 6’s weekend and holiday rule.
- Do keep a stamped conformed copy with your closed-file documentation for at least seven years under RPC 1.15A.
- Do send the client a closing letter that mirrors the notice’s effective date.
- Do check local rules for any county-specific cover sheet, because King, Pierce, and Snohomish each have their own.
- Don’t file within 30 days of trial without first checking local rule 71.
- Don’t use a P.O. Box for the client unless that is the address the client gave you in writing.
- Don’t leave any field blank, because blanks are the top reason clerks bounce the form.
- Don’t forget to update the WSBA address on file before signing, because mismatch errors slow processing.
- Don’t assume a client’s verbal “you’re fired” ends representation, because only the form, a substitution, or a court order does.
- Don’t delete drafts from your file, because the WSBA can audit your withdrawal documentation.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Most withdrawals are filed by the attorney directly, but newer lawyers often lean on a paralegal, a mentor, or a practice management coach. Here are the trade-offs.
Pros of filing on your own:
- No extra cost beyond your own time.
- Faster turnaround because you control the calendar.
- Direct knowledge of the client’s last known address and service preferences.
- Full control over the language in the certificate of service.
- Clean chain of custody for ethics audit purposes.
Cons of filing on your own:
- One missed field can void the notice and trap you in the case.
- Solo attorneys often miscount the 10-day window under CR 6.
- Without a second set of eyes, captioning typos slip through.
- E-filing portals time out and corrupted PDFs sometimes upload silently.
- You bear all the risk of a service mistake.
Pros of using a paralegal or mentor:
- Second-set-of-eyes review catches caption and date errors.
- Paralegals run the e-filing portal daily and know its quirks.
- A WSBA practice management advisor through the WSBA Practice Management Assistance program can review the form free of charge.
- Mentors can spot CR 71 timing issues a solo lawyer might miss.
- Lower risk of bar complaints tied to withdrawal mishandling.
Cons of using a paralegal or mentor:
- Adds time to the filing process.
- Adds cost in a small-firm or solo practice.
- Confidentiality must be managed if the paralegal is outside the firm.
- Delegation does not transfer responsibility; you still sign and own the filing.
- Mentor review can introduce stylistic edits that conflict with court formatting rules.
FL All Family 117 vs. Substitution of Counsel
Some lawyers confuse the notice of intent to withdraw with a substitution of counsel, but the two documents do different jobs.
| Feature | Difference |
|---|---|
| Form FL All Family 117 | One-sided notice; client may continue pro se or hire someone later |
| Substitution of Counsel | Two-attorney document signed by old and new counsel; effective immediately |
| Effective Date | 117 takes 10 days; substitution is instant |
| Court Order Needed | Neither requires an order absent objection or trial within 30 days |
FAQs
Is there a filing fee for FL All Family 117?
No. The notice itself has no statewide filing fee in any Washington superior court, although some counties charge a small fee for an optional civil cover sheet that may accompany it.
Can a paralegal sign the form?
No. Only the attorney of record who filed the notice of appearance can sign FL All Family 117, although a paralegal may prepare and e-file it.
Does the client have to agree?
No. Under CR 71, an attorney may withdraw without client consent, but the client has 10 days to object and force a court hearing.
What if trial is in 20 days?
No, FL All Family 117 will not work alone. You must file a motion to withdraw and obtain a court order under most counties’ local rule 71.
Do I write my office address or my home address in Section 1?
No home address. Use the office address on file with the WSBA membership directory, even if you work from home, unless that is your WSBA-listed address.
Should I check both Petitioner and Respondent boxes if I represented both?
No. File two separate notices, one for each party, because Washington does not allow joint representation in contested family law matters.
Can I list a P.O. Box for the client’s last known address?
Yes, but only if the client gave you that P.O. Box in writing as their service address. Otherwise use the physical street address you have on file.
Does emailing the client count as service?
Yes, if the client consented to electronic service in writing under GR 30. Otherwise, you must also mail a paper copy to start the 10-day clock.
Do I need to serve the State in a child support case?
Yes. When the Division of Child Support is a party, serve the assigned Assistant Attorney General along with the other parties.
What happens if the client objects within 10 days?
No, the withdrawal does not take effect. You must then file a motion to withdraw and get a court order before stepping away from the case.
Can I fax the form to the clerk?
No. Washington superior courts stopped accepting fax filings under the GR 30 e-filing transition. Use the e-filing portal, mail, or in-person filing instead.
Do I write the city or the county in the caption?
No city. Always write the county only, in all caps, because the form already prints the word “County” next to the blank.
How long must I keep the conformed copy?
Yes, keep it at least seven years. RPC 1.15A requires Washington lawyers to keep client file records for seven years after representation ends.
Can I withdraw if the client still owes me fees?
Yes. Unpaid fees are a recognized basis for permissive withdrawal under RPC 1.16(b)(5), but you must still protect the client’s interests on the way out.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-115 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out California Form FL-117 (w/Examples) + FAQs
- 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 140 (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