Washington · Legal help by topic · Updated Oct 2026
Legal help in Washington: get back what you're owed
Eight free guides for Washington, in one place: the key facts and deadlines from each, and a direct link to the full guide. Start with the problem you have.
Small Claims Map
Small claims court in Washington
If someone owes you money and won't pay, you can sue without a lawyer.
- Most you can sue for
- $10,000 ($5,000 for businesses)
- Court
- small claims court
- Filing fee
- $35–$50
- Lawyers
- No lawyers
- Washington small claims guide
- How to file, step by step
- Can you file? 60-second check
- Free demand letter
Facts from Small Claims Map. About this topic
Tenant Rights Map
Renters' rights in Washington
If you rent, state law sets how fast a deposit comes back, what the landlord must repair and the notice before an eviction case.
- Deadline to return a deposit
- 30 days
- Security deposit limit
- No statewide limit
- Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent
- 14 days
- Notice before the landlord enters
- 2 days (1 day to show the unit)
Cities with their own rules: Seattle
- Washington renters' rights guide
- Getting your deposit back in Washington
- Repairs in Washington
- Eviction in Washington
- Deposit return calculator
- Free deposit demand letter
- Free repair request letter
- Eviction notice timeline
Facts from Tenant Rights Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Wage Claim Map
Unpaid wages in Washington
If your employer didn't pay you, a state office may collect it for free.
- File a wage claim with
- Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
- Minimum wage (2026)
- $17.13
- Final paycheck if fired
- See the rules
- Deadline to file a wage claim
- 3 years
- Washington wage claim guide
- Wage-theft calculator
- When was your final paycheck due?
- Free demand letter for unpaid wages
Facts from Wage Claim Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Lemon Car Map
Lemon law in Washington
If a new car keeps going back to the shop for the same defect, the maker may owe you a refund or a replacement.
- Lemon law period
- 24 mo / 24,000 mi
- What makes it a lemon
- 4 repairs · 2 if unsafe · 30 calendar days
- Covers used cars
- Yes
- Before you sue
- Required
Facts from Lemon Car Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Tax Appeal Map
Property tax appeals in Washington
If your home's assessed value is too high, you can appeal it, but only within a short window.
- Deadline to appeal
- July 1 or 30-60 days after notice
- Where you appeal first
- County Board of Equalization (BOE) petition
- Median effective tax rate
- 0.81%
- Median yearly tax on a home
- $4,556
VariesAs of October 21, 2026, the July 1 deadline has passed, but the window stays open for 30-60 days after each Change of Value Notice, and several counties mail notices into the fall (for example, Snohomish County notices mailed October 9 can be appealed until December 8, 2026). Check the date on your notice; 2027 assessment-year notices go out during 2027, in many counties starting in spring. (as of October 21, 2026)
Facts from Tax Appeal Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Exemption Map
Property tax exemptions in Washington
If you own and live in your home, you may qualify for breaks that lower your property tax. You usually have to apply.
- Homestead exemption
- No general exemption
- Homestead deadline
- See the guide
- Senior break
- Yes
- Disabled veterans
- None statewide
- Washington property tax exemptions
- Eligibility finder for Washington
- County offices in Washington
- Breaks for seniors in Washington
- Breaks for veterans in Washington
- Breaks for people with disabilities in Washington
- Breaks for surviving spouses in Washington
Facts from Exemption Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Owed Map
Unclaimed money in Washington
Old bank accounts, deposits, refunds and checks end up with the state. Searching and claiming is free.
- Official search
- Washington Unclaimed Property (claimyourcash.org / ucp.dor.wa.gov)
- Held by the state
- Over $2.8 billion
- Cost to search and claim
- Free
- On MissingMoney.com
- Yes
- Washington unclaimed money guide
- Search Washington Unclaimed Property (claimyourcash.org / ucp.dor.wa.gov) (official site)
- Money owed to a relative who died
- Finder fees by state
Facts from Owed Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Divorce Law Map
Divorce in Washington
Before you can file, one of you usually must have lived in the state for a set time, and many states make you wait before the divorce is final.
- Residency before you can file
- No minimum time
- Waiting period
- 90 days after service
- Filing fee
- Check with your court
- Washington divorce guide
- Divorce timeline estimator
- Divorce checklist
- Served with divorce papers: what to do
Facts from Divorce Law Map, checked Oct 2026. About this topic
Deadlines at a glance in Washington
Short forms of each guide's rule. Every deadline has details (when the clock starts, exceptions, how to count days): read the full rule in the guide before you rely on it. “See the guide” means our data has no short form for it.
| Topic | Deadline or time limit | Rule | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small claims court | Deadline to sue: written contract | 6 years | Small Claims Map |
| Small claims court | Deadline to sue: verbal agreement | 3 years | Small Claims Map |
| Small claims court | Deadline to sue: property damage | 3 years | Small Claims Map |
| Renters' rights | Deadline to return a deposit | 30 days | Tenant Rights Map |
| Renters' rights | Notice before an eviction case for unpaid rent | 14 days | Tenant Rights Map |
| Unpaid wages | Deadline to file a wage claim | 3 years | Wage Claim Map |
| Unpaid wages | Final paycheck if fired | See the rules | Wage Claim Map |
| Lemon law | Lemon law period | 24 mo / 24,000 mi | Lemon Car Map |
| Lemon law | Deadline | Request arbitration within 30 months of the vehicle's original retail delivery (RCW 19.118.090(3)). | Lemon Car Map |
| Property tax appeals | Deadline to appeal | July 1 or 30-60 days after notice | Tax Appeal Map |
| Property tax exemptions | Homestead deadline | See the guide | Exemption Map |
| Unclaimed money | Deadline to claim | See the guide | Owed Map |
| Divorce | Residency before you can file | No minimum time | Divorce Law Map |
| Divorce | Waiting period | 90 days after service | Divorce Law Map |
Several problems at once? Get one plan for Washington.
Open the finderOther problems: free official help
RobinClaim doesn't cover debt collectors, scams, custody and child support, and other areas yet. These official and nonprofit services can help in every state:
- Consumer protection office for Washington (as listed by USA.gov)
- LawHelp.org: legal aid and know-your-rights guides by state
- Legal Services Corporation: find free legal aid near you
- American Bar Association: lawyer referral services by state
- CFPB: your rights with debt collectors
- FTC: report fraud, scams and bad business practices
Links checked Oct 2026. Sources are listed in how we research.