Lincoln County Superior Court Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation submission

When mediation concerns characterization, valuation, or division of assets or debts, each party must submit a statement.

When characterization, valuation, and/or division of assets or debts is being mediated, each party shall submit a statement.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial order

If the court directs, counsel must prepare a pre-trial order in the form of Exhibit B within ten days after the conference concludes.

If so directed by the court, a pre-trial order in the form of Exhibit “B” attached to this rule shall be prepared by counsel within ten (10) days after the conclusion of the pre-trial conference.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order finding decree or judgment

In contested matters, orders, findings, decrees, and judgments must be approved by the attorney of record or unrepresented pro se parties unless signed in open court with all counsel or pro se parties present, or after proper notice of presentment.

(E) In contested matters, all orders, findings, decrees, and judgments shall be approved by the attorney of record or pro se parties, if not represented, unless the same are presented for signing in open court in the presence of all counsel or pro se parties, or are signed after proper notice of presentment.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Asset liability list

The household goods section of the Asset and Liability List directs the filer to attach a goods distribution worksheet.

2. HOUSE-HOLD GOODS (attach goods distribution worksheet)

CRITICAL

Applies to

Trial setting request

Civil trial-setting requests are heard on Law and Motion Day at the regularly noted setting time and require proper written notice filed with the clerk.

Requests for trial settings in civil cases will be heard on Law and Motion Day at the time they are regularly noted for setting, upon proper written notice filed with the clerk of the court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order finding decree or judgment

In non-contested matters, orders, findings, decrees, and judgments must identify the presenting counsel or unrepresented pro se litigant and be signed by all parties unless a proper joinder or waiver was previously signed.

(D) In all non-contested matters, all orders, findings, decrees, and judgments shall have the name of the presenting counselor, pro se litigants, if not represented, and signed thereon by all parties unless a proper Joinder or waiver had previously been signed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Asset liability list

The asset and liability list must include an attached list of other accounts and bills payable.

15. OTHER ACTS & BILLS PAYABLE Attach List

CRITICAL

Applies to

Document

Must include

ai disclosure

If artificial intelligence tools were used to prepare the entire document, a footnote disclosing that use must appear on the first page.

In instances in which the entire document has been prepared utilizing artificial intelligence tools a footnote to that effect shall appear on the first page of the document.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation submission

For mediation of support issues, each party must include a financial declaration and completed child support worksheets.

When support issues are being mediated, each party will include a financial declaration and completed child support worksheets.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Individual surety qualification submission

The individual surety qualification submission must include a current list of the bondsman’s obligations in state courts, identifying each court, defendant, and bond amount.

(2) Provide a current list of all bonds on which the bondsman is obligated in any court of this state, including on the list the name of the court and defendant and the amount of the bond.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Asset liability list

The Asset and Liability List includes a certification that it is true and correct under penalty of perjury.

I certify under penalty of perjury under the law of the State of Washington that the attached Asset & Liability List is true and correct.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Corporate surety qualification submission

The corporate surety qualification submission must include a letter from the Washington State Insurance Commissioner confirming the surety is authorized to do business in the state.

(2) A letter from the Insurance Commissioner of Washington State indicating that the corporate surety is authorized to do business in this state.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediator appointment stipulation

If the parties choose to stipulate to a mediator, they must file a written stipulation identifying the mediator’s name, address, and appointment date.

The parties may stipulate to appointment of a person to perform the mediation required by this rule by filing with the court a written stipulation including the name, address, and date of appointment of the mediator.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediator declaration

Within seven days after mediation ends, the mediator must file a declaration stating the mediation dates, issues mediated, and any participant’s perceived failure to participate in good faith.

Within seven (7) days after completion of mediation, the mediator shall file with the Court, and provide copies to the parties and attorneys who participated in the mediation, a declaration setting forth (1) the date(s) of mediation; (2) the contested issues mediated; and (3) the manner in which any party failed, in the judgment of the mediator, to participate in good faith.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial information form

In contested domestic-relations trials, each party must provide the opposing party and court a written pretrial information form using Exhibit C and indicating a proposed division of assets and liabilities.

In addition to the above, in all contested trials in domestic relations matters, each party shall provide the opposing party and the court with the following: (i) A written pretrial information form indicating a proposed division of assets and liabilities, using the form set forth in Exhibit “C” attached to the rules.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation submission

The parties must timely submit any additional materials the mediator requests.

The parties shall timely submit any additional materials requested by the mediator.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Exhibit notice

A party anticipating offering 25 or more trial exhibits must notify the trial judge and opposing party by letter.

Parties shall notify the trial judge and the opposing party by letter if that party anticipates offering twenty-five (25) exhibits or more at the time of the trial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Bail bond

If a bondsman has not previously justified their qualifications, the bond must be submitted to and approved by the presiding judge or designee.

In any case where the bondsman has not previously justified qualification, the bond must be submitted to and approved by the presiding judge or the judge’s designee.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation agreement

An agreement reached in mediation must be written before mediation concludes and endorsed by all parties, participating attorneys, and the mediator.

Any agreement between the parties reached during the mediation process shall be reduced to writing before the conclusion of the mediation and shall be endorsed by all parties, participating attorneys, and the mediator.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Document

Must include

ai disclosure

Any portion of a document prepared with artificial intelligence tools must be identified in a footnote.

Any portion of the document in which artificial intelligence tools have been utilized must include a footnote identifying that portion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial statement

ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that at least five (5) working days prior to this conference, the attorneys shall submit to the judge and to opposing counsel a Pretrial Statement containing the following: (a) A list designating those pleadings upon which the case goes to trial; (b) A succinct statement of the cause of action in regard to each claim or defense; (c) A clear statement of the issues to be tried; (d) An itemized list of the claimed special damages; (e) Any statement of the principles of law involved in the case, supported by citations of authority; (f) A statement of facts, which the client will admit; (g) A list of the names and addresses of all persons who have knowledge of relevant facts and the general nature of their testimony;

ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that at least five (5) working days prior to this conference, the attorneys shall submit to the judge and to opposing counsel a Pretrial Statement containing the following: (a) A list designating those pleadings upon which the case goes to trial; (b) A succinct statement of the cause of action in regard to each claim or defense; (c) A clear statement of the issues to be tried; (d) An itemized list of the claimed special damages; (e) Any statement of the principles of law involved in the case, supported by citations of authority; (f) A statement of facts, which the client will admit; (g) A list of the names and addresses of all persons who have knowledge of relevant facts and the general nature of their testimony;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Individual surety qualification submission

An individual seeking prior justification to provide bonds as an individual surety must provide verifiable qualification evidence, including a current financial statement.

In order to obtain prior justification and approval of the court to provide bonds as an individual surety, the following requirements shall be met: (1) Provide the court verifiable documentary evidence of qualification, including but not limited to a current financial statement.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation submission

Each party must submit proposed orders or equivalent written statements to the mediator at least two days before mediation.

At least two days before mediation proceedings, each party will submit to the mediator proposed orders sought to be entered by the Court or equivalent written statements to the resolution of all contested issues subject to mediation

CRITICAL

Applies to

Bail bondsman petition

Must include

proposed order

Each petition must include a proposed order of justification.

All petitions shall be accompanied by a proposed order of justification.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Exhibit c

If the parties dispute the distribution of assets and debts, both must complete Exhibit C.

If the parties are in dispute as to the distribution of assets and debts, both parties shall complete Exhibit “C” as attached to these local rules.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Renewal bail bondsman petition

A renewal petition must include a verified statement confirming that there have been no changes since the prior petition or describing the changes.

The petition for renewal will include a verified statement that either there have been no changes since the last petition or will set forth the changes.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Legal brief or memorandum

Must include

ai disclosure

A legal brief or memorandum materially drafted or supplemented using AI tools must include a footnote disclosing that fact.

(A) Any legal brief or memorandum submitted to the Lincoln County Superior Court that has been materially drafted or supplemented using artificial intelligence (AI) tools must include a disclosure footnote stating this fact.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Financial declaration

If either party seeks maintenance or child support, both parties must complete a financial declaration.

If one of the parties is seeking maintenance or child support, both parties shall complete a financial declaration.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order to transfer to mandatory mediation

The mandatory-mediation form must be titled “Order to Transfer to Mandatory Mediation,” substantially follow Exhibit E, and be signed by each party’s attorney and each pro se party before presentation to the Court.

The form for mandatory mediation shall be entitled “ Order to Transfer to Mandatory Mediation” shall be substantially in the form in Exhibit E to these rules, and shall be signed by the attorney for each party and each party appearing pro se prior to presentation to the Court for approval.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order to transfer to mandatory mediation

A refusal by an attorney or pro se party to sign does not delay the case, and the refusal must be noted on the order.

The refusal by an attorney or pro-se party to sign the Order to Transfer to Mediation shall not delay the case. Such refusal to sign shall be noted on the Order to Transfer to Mandatory Mediation.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial conference order

An order for a pre-trial conference must use the form and include the provisions in Exhibit A.

Any order for a pre-trial conference shall be in the form of and include the provisions as set forth in Exhibit “A” attached to this rule.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Corporate surety qualification submission

An applicant seeking prior justification to write bail bonds for a corporate surety must provide a certified power of attorney authorizing the applicant to act for the surety.

In the case of individuals seeking prior justification to write bail bonds on behalf of a corporate surety, the applicant must provide the court with the following: (1) A certified copy of a power of attorney showing authorization of the applicant to act for the corporate surety.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Contested trial documents

If children are involved in a contested domestic-relations trial, each party must provide a proposed parenting plan, child-support worksheets, and applicable supporting financial documents, including two years of tax returns, W-2s, and current paystubs.

(ii) If children are involved, a proposed parenting plan and child support worksheets and supporting documents including Financial Declarations and the last two (2) years of tax returns, W-2’s, and current paystubs, if applicable.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Financial disclosure

Defendants requesting appointed counsel must file an appropriate sworn financial disclosure, although the court may instead require them to provide the information orally.

Defendants who request assignment of counsel will be required to execute and file a financial disclosure under oath, which shall substantially comply with the form set forth in Exhibit “D” attached hereto, (or any successor from approved by the State or Supreme Court) or the defendant may be required to provide the information orally to the court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Asset liability list

The asset and liability list must include an attached list of installment purchase contracts.

14. INSTALLMENT PURCHASE CONTRACTS Attach list

WARNING

Applies to

Pretrial form

Unless explained otherwise by the parties, the values shown on the pretrial form should include fair market value and assessed value of any real property, bank accounts, proposed pension, retirement, profit sharing or other deferred benefit or financial security plan, the present value of all life insurance policies and the cash surrender value, the amount of accounts receivable, inheritance due, and any trust accounts in which the party has an interest; the fair market value of all other property including collections, antiques; and in the case of motor vehicles, the average between wholesale and retail values from Kelly Blue Book or NADA or other comparable companies.

Unless explained otherwise by the parties, the values shown on the pretrial form should include fair market value and assessed value of any real property, bank accounts, proposed pension, retirement, profit sharing or other deferred benefit or financial security plan, the present value of all life insurance policies and the cash surrender value, the amount of accounts receivable, inheritance due, and any trust accounts in which the party has an interest; the fair market value of all other property including collections, antiques; and in the case of motor vehicles, the average between wholesale and retail values from Kelly Blue Book or NADA or other comparable companies.

WARNING

Applies to

Exhibits

The exhibit requirements do not apply to rebuttal or impeachment exhibits that are not required to be offered in a party’s case in chief.

This rule shall not apply to rebuttal or impeachment exhibits not required to be offered in the party’s case in chief.

WARNING

Applies to

Pretrial statement

Parties in domestic-relations final hearings or trials are strongly encouraged to provide the judge and opposing party, at least three days before trial, a written statement addressing the listed issues; the statement may be in any form.

In all final hearings or trials in domestic relations matters, each party is strongly encouraged to provide to the judge and the opposing party, a written statement as to the issues in controversy at least three (3) days prior to trial. The written statement may be in any form chosen by the party or his or her attorney to convey the following: A brief factual summary; Issues in dispute [e.g. property, debts, custody or support]; Case law, if it will be argued, supporting the party’s position; Proposed distribution of assets and debts, proposed parenting plan and child support amount, if in dispute, see LCR 39(d)(2)(i) and (ii) above; Areas of agreement.

INFO

Applies to

Jury instructions

A party may request that the Court ask additional general questions of prospective jurors, provided the questions are proposed in advance in writing and submitted with the jury instructions.

Any party may request the Court to ask prospective jurors appropriate additional general questions proposed in advance in writing and submitted with jury instructions.

INFO

Applies to

Mediation agreement

After notifying a participant who appears by telephone or remotely, the mediator may endorse the agreement on that person’s behalf.

The mediator may, upon notice to a person participating by telephone or remote means, endorse the agreement on behalf of that person.