Washington changed its domestic violence statutes three times since 2021. A Guardian ad Litem trained before those changes, who never updated, may be applying a legal standard the Legislature has replaced.
Each superior court must maintain a registry of persons willing to serve as Guardian ad Litem in Title 26 proceedings, publish background information on each registrant, and maintain a complaint procedure.
Consolidated six protection order types into one chapter and changed the evidentiary and procedural rules courts apply to domestic violence petitions.
Washington's definition of domestic violence now reaches a pattern of behavior used to compel or control an intimate partner, not only physical assault.
Further revised how courts weigh domestic violence history in parenting and restraint decisions.
Statutory text is summarized here for orientation only and is not legal advice. See the methodology page for sourcing.