Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Washington

Re: harassing neighbor

The real question is whether you feel threatened by this person's conduct - the threatening gestures. I would not go into *why* this person is threatening you. Doesn't really matter.

You can go to the Kent Regional Justice Center, Clerk's office, and they can get you started on an application for an anti-harassment order. It costs nothing. They will arrange to have the sheriff serve the order. You have to go twice - once to get a preliminary order, and then you have to return for a hearing as to whether the order should be entered more permanently. If you don't show up it'll be dismissed. Usually if the request is well grounded, the order will be entered for a year. KNOW THAT the commissioner or judge who hears the final order hearing is empowered to enter mutual orders, sua sponte, and anti-harassment orders can interfere with your life. They will show up on a warrant check, for example.

So please consider whether the risk posed by your neighbor being threatening is or is not outweighed by the possibility that your neighbor can get an order restraining you, as well.

Hope this helps.