Legal

Terms of Service

Effective date: January 1, 2025 Last updated: April 1, 2025

Read this first - the most important thing on this page

Family Court Navigator is a document preparation and coaching service. We are not a law firm. We are not attorneys. We do not provide legal advice.

Nothing in our communications, documents, portal, website, or any other interaction with Family Court Navigator constitutes legal advice or creates an attorney-client relationship. The documents we prepare are based entirely on information and instructions you provide to us. You are solely responsible for reviewing, approving, signing, and filing all documents. You represent yourself in court - we prepare materials to support you in doing so.

By using our services, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this limitation.

Contents

  1. Nature of our services
  2. Not legal advice - in detail
  3. Your responsibilities as a client
  4. Payment terms
  5. Refunds and cancellations
  6. Document delivery and timelines
  7. Confidentiality
  8. Limitation of liability
  9. Termination
  10. Governing law
  11. Dispute resolution
  12. Changes to these terms
  13. Mandatory binding arbitration
  14. No guarantee of outcome
  15. Your indemnification of us
  16. Explicit acknowledgement - no legal advice
  17. Shortened claim period and no class actions
  18. Business structure and jurisdiction
  19. Contact us

1. Nature of our services

Family Court Navigator provides the following services to self-represented parties in Washington State family court proceedings:

All services are provided remotely. We currently serve clients with cases in Washington State courts only.

What we do not provide: We do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or legal strategy. We do not appear in court on your behalf. We do not communicate with opposing parties or their attorneys on your behalf. We do not predict court outcomes or guarantee results of any kind.

3. Your responsibilities as a client

By using our services, you agree to the following responsibilities:

Accuracy of information

You are solely responsible for the accuracy and completeness of all information you provide to us. The documents we prepare are only as accurate as the information you give us. We are not responsible for errors in documents that result from inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading information you provided.

Review of all documents

You must review every document we prepare before signing or filing it. By signing any document, you confirm that it is accurate and that you approve its contents. We strongly encourage you to read every word of every document before filing.

Filing and service

You are responsible for filing your own documents with the court, paying applicable filing fees, and serving copies on the opposing party. We may assist with e-filing as part of certain service packages, but you remain the filing party of record in your case at all times.

Deadlines

You are responsible for knowing and meeting all court deadlines in your case. We will provide you with deadline information based on what you tell us, but we are not responsible for missed deadlines due to information you did not provide or errors in your case information.

No unauthorized practice of law

You acknowledge that Family Court Navigator is not engaged in the practice of law and that our services are lawfully provided as document preparation services under Washington State law.

4. Payment terms

All service fees are as described on our website at the time of booking. Prices are subject to change, but any quoted price for a service you have already booked will be honored.

When payment is due

Payment is due before work begins on any service package. For split payment arrangements, work begins after the first installment is received, and document delivery is held until the second installment is confirmed.

Payment methods

We accept major credit and debit cards through Stripe, our payment processor. Payment plans are available for Phase 2 and Phase 3 trial preparation packages and for the Ultimate Bundle, subject to your request and our approval.

Document delivery and payment gates

Documents prepared under a specific service package will not be released to your client portal until payment for that package is confirmed. For split payment arrangements, the second installment must be received before final documents are delivered.

Add-on services

Add-on services requested after a package is initiated will be invoiced separately and must be paid before the add-on work begins.

5. Refunds and cancellations

Before work begins

If you cancel your service before we have begun drafting any documents, you are entitled to a full refund minus a $50 administrative fee.

After work has begun

Once drafting has begun, refunds are issued on a pro-rata basis reflecting the work completed. If we have completed 50% of the documents in your package, you are entitled to a refund of 50% of the remaining balance, minus the $50 administrative fee.

Completed packages

No refunds are issued for completed packages where all documents have been delivered to your portal, regardless of whether you filed them or achieved your desired outcome in court. Document preparation services are based on the work performed, not the outcome of your case.

Consultation calls

Consultation calls that have already taken place are non-refundable. If you need to reschedule a consultation call, please do so at least 24 hours in advance. Missed calls without notice forfeit the consultation fee.

How to request a refund

To request a refund, contact us through the portal message thread or by email within 30 days of your payment. We will respond within 5 business days.

6. Document delivery and timelines

Standard document turnaround times are as follows:

Timelines begin when we have received your completed intake form and all information we need to begin drafting - not from the date of payment alone. Incomplete intake information may delay delivery.

We make every effort to meet the timelines above. However, timelines are estimates and not guarantees. We are not responsible for delays caused by incomplete intake information, difficulty reaching you for clarification, or circumstances outside our control.

Rush orders: If your deadline is within 48 hours of contacting us, please call or message us immediately. Rush availability is limited and not guaranteed. Rush add-on fees apply and must be paid at booking.

7. Confidentiality

We treat all information you share with us as confidential. We do not share your case information with any third party except as described in our Privacy Policy or as required by law.

Please be aware that because we are not attorneys, attorney-client privilege does not protect our communications. If you are subpoenaed or if a court orders disclosure of information we hold, we may be legally required to comply. We will notify you of any such requirement to the extent permitted by law.

Our confidentiality obligations survive the end of our service relationship. Even after your case is closed and your account is deleted, we will not disclose your case information to third parties.

8. Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Family Court Navigator's total liability for any claim arising from or related to our services is strictly limited to the lesser of (a) the total amount you paid for the specific service at issue, or (b) $500. This limit applies regardless of the legal theory under which the claim is brought.

We are not liable under any circumstances for:

Assumption of risk: You acknowledge that family court proceedings involve legal complexity, judicial discretion, and outcomes that are entirely beyond our knowledge or control. You enter into this agreement understanding that no document preparation service can guarantee, predict, or influence any court outcome. The quality, completeness, or professionalism of document preparation has no legally cognizable relationship to any particular court result.

Indemnification: You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Family Court Navigator, its owners, contractors, and affiliates from and against any claims, damages, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from: (a) your use of our services; (b) inaccurate or false information you provided; (c) your violation of these Terms; or (d) any claim that our services constituted the unauthorized practice of law, where such claim arises from your own characterization of our services contrary to these Terms.

9. Termination

By you

You may terminate your service relationship with us at any time by notifying us through the portal or by email. Refunds for termination are governed by Section 5 above.

By us

We reserve the right to terminate our service relationship with any client for the following reasons: provision of false or materially misleading information, abusive or threatening behavior toward our staff, requests that would require us to engage in the unauthorized practice of law, non-payment of invoices, or any other breach of these terms. In the event of termination by us, we will provide a pro-rata refund for work not yet completed.

Effect of termination

Upon termination, access to your client portal will be closed. You will have 30 days to download any documents we have prepared for you. After 30 days, portal access and document availability are no longer guaranteed.

8a. Recording consent and documentation

All consultation calls and any voice or video calls conducted as part of our services are recorded. By scheduling and attending any call with Family Court Navigator, you consent to being recorded. Recordings are retained as part of your case file and serve as the definitive record of what was discussed and communicated. No verbal statement made during a call will be treated as legal advice, and the recording confirms the scope of our communications.

All communications through the client portal are logged and retained. These records exist to protect both parties and to ensure complete accuracy of what was communicated.

8b. Non-disparagement

You agree not to make false, misleading, or disparaging statements about Family Court Navigator, its services, or its personnel in any public forum, including but not limited to social media, review platforms, forums, or media. This clause does not restrict you from making truthful statements about your experience.

In the event of a dispute, both parties agree to pursue resolution through the arbitration process described in Section 11 before making any public statements about the dispute.

8c. Accuracy of information and anti-fraud

You represent and warrant that all information you provide to Family Court Navigator is truthful, accurate, and complete to the best of your knowledge. You acknowledge that our documents are prepared based entirely on information you supply, and that the quality and accuracy of any document depends directly on the quality and accuracy of what you tell us.

Providing false or misleading information, misrepresenting your case facts, or using documents prepared by us for any fraudulent or improper purpose is a material breach of these Terms and voids any refund rights. Family Court Navigator reserves the right to terminate services immediately and without refund if we discover material misrepresentation.

Any attempt to mischaracterize the services received - including falsely claiming that legal advice was provided - constitutes a fraudulent misrepresentation and a breach of this agreement. All communications are logged and recorded, and these records will be produced in any dispute proceeding.

10. Governing law

These Terms of Service are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington, without regard to its conflict of law provisions. To the extent any dispute proceeds in court notwithstanding the mandatory arbitration clause, you consent to exclusive jurisdiction and venue in King County, Washington, and waive any objection to such jurisdiction. Family Court Navigator operates as a service business and its exact legal structure, formation state, and ownership details are proprietary and confidential business information not required to be disclosed under applicable law for the provision of document preparation services.

11. Dispute resolution - mandatory binding arbitration

PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY. IT AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS.

You and Family Court Navigator agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising from or relating to these Terms, our services, or any document we prepare will be resolved exclusively through binding individual arbitration - not in any court. By using our services, you waive your right to a jury trial and your right to participate in any class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration.

Arbitration will be conducted by a single arbitrator under the rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or JAMS, at our election, in King County, Washington (or by phone or video if both parties agree). The arbitrator's decision will be final and binding. Either party may seek emergency injunctive relief from a court solely to preserve the status quo pending arbitration.

Any claim must be brought within one (1) year of the event giving rise to the claim. Claims brought after this period are permanently waived and barred.

If any portion of this arbitration clause is found unenforceable, the remainder of this section continues in full force.

12. Changes to these terms

We may update these Terms of Service from time to time. When we make material changes, we will notify active clients by email and update the "Last updated" date at the top of this page.

For services you have already booked and paid for, the terms in effect at the time of your payment apply. Updated terms apply to new bookings made after the update date.

If you do not agree with any changes, you may cancel your service in accordance with our refund policy above.

13. Mandatory binding arbitration

Please read this section carefully. It affects your legal rights.

You and Family Court Navigator agree that any dispute, claim, or controversy arising out of or relating to these Terms, our services, or any documents we prepare will be resolved exclusively through final and binding arbitration - not in court. You waive any right to a jury trial and any right to participate in a class action lawsuit or class-wide arbitration.

Arbitration will be conducted by a single arbitrator under the rules of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or a mutually agreed alternative. The arbitration will take place in King County, Washington, or by video conference. The arbitrator's decision is final and may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction.

Exception: Either party may seek emergency injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction solely to prevent irreparable harm while arbitration is pending. This does not waive the obligation to arbitrate all other claims.

If any portion of this arbitration clause is found unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full effect. The class action waiver is severable from the arbitration agreement - if the class action waiver is found unenforceable, any class action must proceed in court, but individual arbitration remains mandatory for individual claims.

14. No guarantee of outcome

Family Court Navigator makes no representation, warranty, or guarantee of any kind regarding the outcome of your court case. Family court proceedings involve complex legal, factual, and judicial variables entirely outside our control. The quality of document preparation does not predict, influence, or guarantee any particular result.

You acknowledge and agree that:

15. Your indemnification of us

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Family Court Navigator, its owners, contractors, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising out of or related to:

17. Shortened claim period and no class actions

Claim period: Any claim arising out of or related to our services must be brought within 90 days of the date the service was completed or the date you became aware of the alleged issue, whichever is earlier. Claims brought after this period are permanently waived and barred, regardless of any longer period that may otherwise apply under applicable law.

No class actions: You may only bring claims against Family Court Navigator in your individual capacity. You waive any right to bring or participate in any class action, collective action, or representative proceeding of any kind.

No consolidation: Your claims may not be consolidated with those of any other person without our express written consent.

18. Business structure and jurisdiction

Family Court Navigator operates as a limited liability company. Services are provided remotely to clients with cases in Washington State courts. The business may be organized in a jurisdiction other than Washington State. Nothing in these Terms requires disclosure of the business's state of organization.

For purposes of these Terms and any dispute resolution, the governing law is Washington State law, and the venue for any permitted court action is King County, Washington.

19. Contact us

If you have questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

Terms questions and service concerns

Family Court Navigator
Washington State · All services provided remotely

Email: hello@wafamilycourtnavigator.com

For billing and refund questions, please message us through your client portal. For privacy-related requests, use privacy@wafamilycourtnavigator.com.