Jefferson County Superior Court Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Final order

Parties must present an original final order at the hearing, except when appearing remotely.

Parties shall present an original final order at the time of the hearing unless appearing remotely.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Arbitrator application

An arbitrator applicant must complete the court-prescribed information sheet and oath of office, and file the oath before being placed on the panel.

A person desiring to serve as an arbitrator shall complete an information sheet on the form prescribed by the Court. The oath of office on the form prescribed by the court must be completed and filed prior to an applicant being placed on the panel.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of issue

Parties choosing to appear remotely must indicate that choice on the Notice of Issue.

Parties electing to make a remote appearance shall indicate as such on the Notice of Issue.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion or order shortening time

A motion or order shortening time must explain why the seven-day period should be reduced and state how the other parties were served.

All motions and orders shortening time shall detail why the seven (7) day window should be reduced and indicate how service was made on the other parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Conformed final documents

Each conformed copy of the final documents delivered or mailed must indicate the filing date.

After entry of the Final Divorce Order and other final documents in a Default Marriage Dissolution or Agreed Marriage Dissolution, the party presenting final documents to the court or counsel shall deliver to or mail or e-mail to the other party or to their counsel, a conformed copy of the Final Divorce Order and other final documents with the date of filing indicated on each copy delivered or mailed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Uccjea motion

A motion requesting a UCCJEA conference must be filed on the appropriate motions calendar and state the requested jurisdictional action, grounds, relief, and specified information about the other state’s case and court contact.

The party seeking the UCCJEA conference shall file a motion on the appropriate motions calendar. The motion shall clearly state if the moving party is asking Washington State to relinquish jurisdiction to another state, or to assume jurisdiction from another state. The motion shall state with particularity the grounds therefore and shall set forth the relief or order sought. (A) In addition, the motion shall clearly specify the following: (i) The state and venue, including the full Court’s name, for the other state’s action. (ii) Any initial pleadings, including the summons and petition for the other state’s action. (iii) Any pleadings from the other state’s action that reference any UCCJEA issues. (iv) The name, mailing address, e-mail address, and direct phone number of the contact person for the other court who is responsible for arranging the UCCJEA hearing with the appropriate judicial officer.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed child support worksheets

When child support is sought, proposed child support worksheets must be filed.

If child support is sought, then proposed child support worksheets shall be filed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Designated electronic record

Unless the Superior Court orders otherwise, the appellant must designate and identify in District Court the specific portion of the electronic recording under subsection (c).

Unless the Superior Court orders otherwise, the appellant shall, in District Court, designate and identify the specific portion of the electronic recording of proceedings as provided in section (c) of this rule.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Written statement of issues

In domestic-relations final hearings or trials, each party must provide the judge and serve the opposing party with a written statement of disputed issues at least three days before trial, containing the specified information.

In all final hearings or trials in domestic relations matters, each party shall provide to the judge and serve on the opposing party a written statement as to the issues in controversy at least three days prior to trial, which contains the following: (i) A brief factual summary; (ii) Issues in dispute, whether property, debts or custody; (iii) ) Case law, if it will be argued, supporting the party’s position; (iv) Proposed distribution of assets, debts, liabilities and proposed parenting plan and child support amount, if in dispute; Areas of agreement; (v) If seeking maintenance or child support, both parties shall complete a financial declaration; (vi) Domestic Relations Information (Appendix 4).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Jury instructions

Proposed jury instructions must include a title page identifying the party submitting them.

Proposed jury instructions shall be filed with the clerk and shall be numbered and annotated, and shall include a title page identifying the party who is submitting the proposed instructions.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Objections

Objections must attach the proposed orders, identify each objectionable provision, and offer alternative language.

Objections must include the proposed orders as an attachment; must specifically identify the objectionable provisions, and shall offer alternative language.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Domestic relations information form

For domestic relations final hearings and trials, each party must file and serve a written Domestic Relations Information Form by 4:30 p.m. one week before the scheduled trial date.

By 4:30 p.m. on the day that is one week prior to the scheduled trial date in all final hearings, informal trials, or formal trials in domestic relations matters, each party shall file and serve on the opposing party and the court a written Domestic Relations Information Form.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Electronic bench copy

The electronic bench copy for a reconsideration motion must show the filing date and proof of service to the opposing party.

The moving party shall file the motion and all supporting affidavits, documents and briefs at the same time, and on the date of filing serve or mail a copy thereof to opposing counsel, and deliver an electronic bench copy (to courtadmin@co.jefferson.wa.us) to the trial judge, which shall show the date of filing and proof of service to the opposing party.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Report

The Guardian ad Litem/Court Visitor must file any report required by court order or statute.

1.10.11 The Guardian ad Litem/Court Visitor shall perform his or her duties in a prompt and timely manner, and shall file any report as required by court order or statute.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Legal separation request for entry of decree

The legal-separation request form calls for a statement that the petitioner wishes to be legally separated.

The petitioner wishes to be legally separated.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Report

The volunteer Guardian ad Litem must timely report to the court any changes in the appointed child’s situation.

The volunteer Guardian ad Litem shall timely report to the court any changes in the situation of the child for whom the GAL is appointed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Exhibit list

An exhibit list for the courtroom clerk must accompany the exhibit binders, and an exhibit list in MS WORD must be emailed to the clerk.

An exhibit list for the courtroom clerk shall accompany these binders. An exhibit list in MS WORD shall be email to the clerk.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Witness disclosure

Witness disclosures must include contact details for all witnesses, relevant knowledge for lay witnesses, and specified opinion and qualification information for experts, including treating physicians as both expert and fact witnesses.

Disclosure of witnesses under this rule shall include the following information: (1) All Witnesses. Name, address and phone number. (2) Lay Witnesses. A brief description of the witness's relevant knowledge. (3) Experts. A summary of the expert's anticipated opinions and the basis therefore and a brief description of the expert's qualifications or a copy of curriculum vitae if available. For the purposes of this rule, treating physicians shall be considered expert as well as fact witnesses.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Note for trial docket

A Note for Trial Docket must state the case nature, estimated trial length, attorney and pro se party contact details, trial type, whether a pro tem judge or commissioner may hear the case, available and proposed trial dates, the settlement-conference requirement for domestic-relations cases, any agreement to the stated dates, and the motion-calendar date and time for the trial-assignment hearing.

(b)A Note for Trial Docket must contain the following information: (i) Nature of the case; (ii) Estimated length of the trial; (iii)Addresses and phone numbers of all attorneys for the parties and pro se parties; (iv) Whether it is a jury or non-jury trial; (v) Whether the case may be heard by a judge pro tem or commissioner; (vi)Counsel’s available trial dates and proposed dates for trial; (vii) If domestic relations, whether a mandatory settlement conference is required; (viii) If there is agreement, the Note for Trial Docket shall reflect in its body that there is agreement of counsel or parties to the dates stated therein; (ix) Motion calendar date and time the assignment of trial is to be heard.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Bench copy

Must include

proposed order

The required bench copy must contain proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law, and a proposed form of order or judgment.

In civil cases tried to the court, unless the judge has included formal findings of fact and conclusions of law in a written opinion, or counsel have stipulated that no appeal shall be taken on the case, the prevailing party shall prepare a bench copy of proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law, and a proposed form of order or judgment.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Parenting plan submission

If the parenting plan is not agreed, attach a proposed parenting plan.

PARENTING PLAN (if not agreed): YOU MUST ATTACH: Proposed Parenting Plan.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Interrogatories

Only the listed interrogatories, using their exact language, are permitted.

Only these interrogatories, with the exact language as set out above, are permitted

CRITICAL

Applies to

Civil warrant request

A person requesting a civil warrant of arrest must provide the clerk as much as possible of the listed identifying information about the person to be served.

Any person requesting a civil warrant of arrest shall provide as much of the following information as possible on the person to be served the warrant to the clerk of the court: full name, date of birth, height, weight, race, gender, eye color, hair color and last known address.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Response to statement of arbitrability

A party disagreeing with the statement of arbitrability must serve and file a response using the court-prescribed Exhibit B form.

Any party disagreeing with the statement of arbitrability shall serve and file a response on the form prescribed by the court (Exhibit B).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Dissolution request for entry of decree

The dissolution request form calls for statements that the proposed parenting plan is in the children's best interest and that the child support worksheets are accurate.

The proposed Parenting Plan is in the children's best interest; the Child Support Worksheets are accurate.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Grievance complaint

A complaint must identify the act or failure to act at issue and include the complainant’s contact information, case information, prior notice to the GAL or coordinator, actions taken, the violated Code of Conduct section or statute and supporting facts, and the requested remedy.

The complaint must state the specific act or failure to act of concern to the complaining person and shall include: (a) The name, mailing address, and telephone number of the person filing the complaint; (b) The status of the underlying case including the case number, if known, and the case name; (c) Whether the complaining person told the Guardian ad Litem and/or the Guardian Ad Litem Coordinator about the complaint; (d) What action the Guardian ad Litem or the Guardian ad Litem Coordinator has taken to address the complaint; (e) Which section of the Code of Conduct or statute was violated, and the specific facts of each violation; (f) What the complaining person would like done to fix the problem which is the subject of the complaint.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order

Parties appearing remotely must send an original order directly to the court administrator for presentation during the hearing.

Parties appearing remotely shall send an original order with a bench copy directly to the court administrator for presentation during the hearing as described in LCR 7.4 and 10.7.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Domestic violence no contact order

When a criminal cause is disposed of, the Prosecuting Attorney must enter a new Domestic Violence No Contact Order reflecting either an extension or vacation of the initial order.

At the time of the entry of any criminal Judgment and Sentence, Judgment of Acquittal, Order of Dismissal or other order disposing of a criminal cause of action, the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney shall enter a new Domestic Violence No Contact Order which reflects the extension of any initial order, or in the alternative, an order that reflects the vacation of any initial order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Complaint

Anyone filing a complaint must submit it in writing to the Court Administrator and include the specified facts and contact and case information.

Any person may file a complaint against a guardian ad litem/court visitor. The complaint must be in writing and filed with the Court Administrator. The complaint must state the specific act or failure to act of concern to the complaining person and shall include: (a) the name, mailing address, and telephone number of the person filing the complaint; (b) the status of the underlying case including the case number and case name; (c) whether the complaining person told the guardian ad litem/court visitor about the complaint; (d) what action the guardian ad litem /court visitor has taken to address the complaint; (e) which section of the Code of Conduct or Order of Appointment or statute was violated, and the specific facts involved for each violation; and (f) what the complaining person would like done to fix the problem which is the subject of the complaint.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Primary witness disclosure

Each party must disclose by the date set in the civil case schedule all persons with relevant factual or expert knowledge whom it may call as trial witnesses.

Each party shall, no later than the date for disclosure designated in the Order Setting Civil Case Schedule, disclose all persons with relevant factual or expert knowledge whom the party reserves the option to call as witnesses at trial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Dissolution request for entry of decree

The dissolution request form calls for a declaration that the petitioner was a Washington resident when the petition was filed.

I was a resident of the state of Washington when the petition was filed.

CRITICAL

For receipt of a criminal verdict, at least one attorney for each party and the prosecutor must be present unless excused by the court.

In a criminal case, at least one attorney for each party and the prosecuting attorney (or deputy prosecutor) shall be present for the receipt of the verdict, unless excused by the court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for reconsideration

A reconsideration motion is submitted on briefs and affidavits without oral argument unless the judge or judicial officer allows oral argument on counsel’s application or on their own motion.

(e) Hearing on Motion. A motion for reconsideration shall be submitted on briefs and affidavits only, without oral argument, unless the trial judge/judicial officer on application from counsel or on their own motion allows oral argument.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Property division section

In a pending dissolution matter, complete the property-division section if you own property or owe debts, but skip it if the division is agreed.

FOR PENDING DISSOLUTION MATTERS - FILL OUT NEXT SECTION IF YOU OWN ANY PROPERTY OR OWE ANY DEBTS: If the Property Division is Agreed - Please Skip This Section

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

A notice of issue or note for motion docket must accompany the motion and identify the motion, parties, attorneys if any, and argument date and time.

A notice of issue or note for motion docket identifying the nature of the motion, names of the parties, the names of the attorneys if any, and the date and time for argument on the motion shall be filed and served with the motion.

CRITICAL

The form directs parties to describe settlement negotiations, identify the strongest disputes, and state what they would like the Court to focus on at the settlement conference.

USE THE NEXT SECTION TO DESCRIBE ANY ATTEMPTS TO NEGOTIATE A SETTLEMENT (attach additional pages if necessary): 1. Describe negotiations toward settlement to date: . 2. Where are the strongest disputes? Describe areas or issues where the parties strongly disagree: 3. What would you like the Court to focus on during your settlement conference?

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of appeal

A District Court notice of appeal must include the specified title, parties, decisions, destination court, contact information, case type, originating court and cause number, and original judicial officer.

A Notice of Appeal from the District Court shall be (1) titled “Notice of Appeal”, (2) identify the party or parties appealing, (3) designate each decision which the party wants reviewed, (4) name the court to which the appeal is taken, (5) provide the name and address of the lawyer for each of the parties represented by a lawyer and the address of the parties who are not represented by counsel, and if a criminal case, it shall include the address of the defendant, (6) state whether the case appealed is criminal (if so, provide RCW for charge), civil or an infraction, and (7) name the court and cause number from which the appeal is taken, and (8) state the name of the judge or commissioner making the original ruling.

CRITICAL

The defense attorney must advise the defendant to be present for the verdict unless the defendant is in custody.

The defense attorney is responsible for advising the defendant to be present for the verdict unless the defendant is in custody.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to revise

A motion to revise must specifically identify the challenged portions of the order or judgment, identify the findings or conclusions at issue, and cite the record; unspecified portions will not be revised.

All motions shall state with specificity any portion of the commissioner's order or judgment sought to be revised. The moving party shall identify those findings of fact or conclusions of law sought to be revised, and cite those portions to the record. Any portion not so specified shall not be revised.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Bench copy

Must include

judge name, case number

A summary-judgment bench copy must identify the judge, hearing date, case number, and person delivering the papers.

Bench copies for the judge, labeled bench copy shall be emailed by the parties to the court administrator at courtadmin@co.jefferson.wa..us no later than 48 hours prior to the hearing, and shall contain the name of the judge hearing the motion, the date of the hearing, the case number, and by whom these papers are being delivered.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Counter notice or written objection

A party who disagrees with the information or estimates in the Note for Trial Setting must file and serve a counter notice or written objection at least three days before the trial-setting date.

Any party not in agreement with the information or estimates given in Note for Trial Setting shall file and serve at least (3) days prior to the trial setting date a counter notice or written objection to setting.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Parent education seminar completion certificate

Each party must file the seminar completion certificate with the court upon completing the seminar.

Upon completion of the seminar, each party shall file with the court the seminar completion certificate provided by the sponsoring agency or provider.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Final documents

At the final hearing, the applicant’s attorney or self-represented party must present the specified final documents for signature, if applicable.

At the time of final hearing upon any uncontested dissolution, invalidity, legal separation, committed intimate relationship (meretricious relationship), or domestic partnership, or Modification of Parenting Plan/Residential Schedule/Custody Order, the attorney for the applicant or the self-represented party shall present to the court for signature appropriate Findings and Conclusions about a Marriage, Final Divorce Order (Dissolution Decree), Child Support Order, Child Support Worksheets, Residential Time Summary, and Parenting Plan/Residential Schedule, if applicable.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Final pleadings

Unless an attorney presents them, specified final family-law pleadings require written verification of form review by an attorney or the Courthouse Facilitator, subject to waiver for good cause.

Unless presented by an attorney, no final Decree, Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, Parenting Plan, Order of Child Support and Worksheets, Final Order and Findings on Petition to Change a Parenting Plan/Residential Schedule or Custody Order or other final pleadings in Family Law cases shall be presented to the Court without written verification that all such pleadings have been reviewed as to form by an attorney or the Jefferson County Courthouse Facilitator. This requirement may be waived by the Court for good cause shown.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Child support submission

Must include

proposed order

When child support is not agreed, attach a proposed child support order, support worksheets, and current pay stubs; also attach a completed Financial Declaration if requesting a deviation.

CHILD SUPPORT (if not agreed): YOU MUST ATTACH: 1. Proposed Child Support Order, Support Worksheets and current pay stubs. Form WPF DR 01-050; and 2. Completed Financial Declaration if requesting a deviation. Form WPF DR 01-055

CRITICAL

Applies to

Maintenance section

For pending dissolution matters, complete the maintenance section if maintenance is requested; skip it if maintenance is agreed or not requested.

FOR PENDING DISSOLUTION MATTERS – FILL OUT THE FOLLOWING SECTION IF MAINTENANCE IS BEING REQUESTED: If Spousal Support/Maintenance is Agreed or is Not Requested - Please Skip This Section:

CRITICAL

Applies to

Jury instructions

Each party must receive an annotated set, and the court administrator must receive one unannotated set of proposed jury instructions.

A copy of the annotated set shall also be furnished to each party. One unannotated set shall be submitted to the court administrator.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Abstract of judgment

An abstract of judgment must identify the parties in whose favor and against whom judgment was rendered, the judgment date, and the judgment amount.

The abstract of a judgment shall contain (1) the name of the party, or parties, in whose favor the judgment was rendered; (2) the name of the party, or parties, against whom the judgment was rendered; (3) the date of the rendition of the judgment; and (4) the amount for which the judgment was rendered.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Initial statement of arbitrability

The initial statement form must list the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all attorneys or parties provided notice.

List the name, address, and phone number of all attorneys or parties who were provided notice:

CRITICAL

Applies to

Final documents

When both parties are unrepresented, the Court Facilitator must review the documents before they are submitted for Ex Parte review.

If both parties are unrepresented by attorneys, then the documents must be reviewed by the Court Facilitator before they can be submitted to the court for Ex Parte review.