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Legal Forms & Resources

Locate local and online legal help, and access to city, county, state and federal building codes, rules, and laws.

Download the Library’s guide to Legal Resources in Bellingham and Washington State, which includes starting points for frequently asked legal questions.

The Library Catalog has books with general legal forms

Washington State Court Forms are available online

Whatcom County Superior Court Forms are available online

By Popular Topic

Landlord Resources through Rental Housing Association of WA

Power of Attorney (Financial & Health) through Washington Law Help

Health Care Directive (Living Will) through Washington Law Help

Probate Resources through King County Law Library

Public Law Library of King County
Staff at the Law Library will answer your legal questions by guiding you to different legal resources. The Washington State Law Library offers this service as well. In addition, the Public Law Library of King County has created concise research guides on popular legal topics.

Washington State Bar Association
Washington State’s professional association of lawyers. Find a Lawyer

Whatcom County Law Library
A comprehensive portal with links to a wide variety of legal information including laws, dictionaries, court forms and much more.

Access ID Project
Free assistance to homeless or at-risk individuals to navigate the process to obtain state-issued ID. For dates, see LAW Advocates’ calendar or Bellingham Public Library’s calendar.

CLEAR Hotline
Call to determine if you qualify for free legal assistance for civil problems. You can call CLEAR Monday-Friday from 9:15 am to 12:15 pm, at 1-888-201-1014.

LAW Advocates (Legal Assistance by Whatcom Advocates)
LAW Advocates provide free legal help including advice, representation, and other assistance for low income individuals and families facing urgent non-criminal legal problems.

Northwest Justice Project
A statewide, publicly funded, nonprofit law firm that employs lawyers and paralegals working in locations throughout Washington, NJP provides critical civil (non-criminal) legal assistance and representation to low-income people in cases affecting basic human needs such as family safety and security, housing preservation, protection of income, access to health care, education, and other basic needs.

Street Law and other LAW Advocate programs
This clinic allows you to address your legal issues in one-on-one consultations with volunteer lawyers. For dates, see LAW Advocates’ calendar or Bellingham Public Library’s calendar.

Legal Voice (formerly known as Northwest Women’s Law Center)
Staff at the Center answer legal questions over the phone by giving people information about their legal rights.  Their website has a wide variety of legal self help publications covering subjects from family law, LGBT rights, employment rights, and consumer issues.

Moderate Means Program
Connect with lawyers who offer legal assistance at a reduced cost. To be eligible you must be facing a family, housing, or consumer law issue and your household income must fall between 200-400% of the Federal Poverty level.

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
NWIRP provides high quality legal representation at little or no cost to those in immigration and deportation proceedings. Their priority is the representation of low-income immigrants, people impacted by the criminal legal system, and people who face other forms of oppression.

PeaceHealth Advanced Care Planning
Advanced care planning resources specific to Washington State

Unemployment Law Project
Legal assistance and information to people in Washington State who have been denied unemployment benefits or whose award of benefits is being challenged. Services are offered to anyone with a Washington State claim. Links to self-help materials and a FAQ list are available on the website.

Washington Dispute Resolution Center
The WDRC offers conflict prevention and intervention services for businesses, organizations, individuals, and families.

WashingtonLawHelp
Free legal information as well as a guide to free and low-cost legal help to low-income persons and seniors in Washington.

Washington State Bar Association
In addition to licensing attorneys in the State of Washington, the Bar provides a directory of lawyers.

Whatcom Civil Rights Project
Provides legal assistance and advocacy to victims of discrimination and civil rights abuse in Whatcom County.

Victim Support Services
Peer support and advocacy for victims of crime providing services free of charge to victims of crime.

How do I find a lawyer?

If you are low income or a senior contact CLEAR
(Coordinated Legal Education, Advice and Referral)

nwjustice.org/clear-hotline

If you do not qualify as low income or you are not a senior, Washington State Bar Association website offers a tool to help locate lawyers:

 Find a Lawyer

Where can I get help with writing a will or dealing with probate?

lawadvocates.org/programs/
washingtonlawhelp.org
wa-probate.com

Where can I go for legal information on divorce?

washingtonlawhelp.org
courts.wa.gov/forms
legalvoice.com

Who helps with landlord tenant issues?

cob.org
washingtonlawhelp.org/issues/housing
lawadvocated.org/programs
tenantsunion.org/rights

If you are renting a space for a mobile home

atg.wa.gov/manufactured-housing-dispute-resolution-program

What resources are available on bankrupcy?

wawb.uscourts.gov
washingtonlawhelp.org
nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/bankruptcy

Who helps with small claims?

co.whatcom.wa.us/453/Small-Claims
courts.wa.gov/search/index.cfm?fa=search.start_search
washingtonlawhelp.org/search?q=small+claims

Who helps with immigration or refugee issues?

worldrelief.org
nwirp.org
atg.wa.gov
dshs.wa.gov/