Mason County Superior Court Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript

An appellant alleging instructional error must include all objections to instructions given or refused and the court's ruling.

If the appellant intends to urge that the court erred in giving or failing to give an instruction, the appellant shall include all objections to the instructions given and refused and the court's ruling.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of appearance

Counsel for indigent defendants must state in a separate paragraph of each Notice of Appearance whether a current CrR 3.1 compliance certificate is on file with the Mason County Clerk.

All Notice of Appearance forms filed by counsel for indigent defendants shall indicate in a separate paragraph whether or not a current CrR 3.1 Certificate of Compliance with the Standards for Indigent Defense is on file with the Mason County Clerk.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Court order

For a case in which all parties stipulate to arbitration, the court order transferring the case must be presented to the Court with the stipulation.

A case in which all parties file a stipulation to arbitrate under SCCAR 8.1(b) regardless of the nature of the case or amount in controversy may be transferred to arbitration by court order presented to the Court with the stipulation.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Family law information form

In family law trials, each party must file and serve a written Family Law Information Form by 9:00 a.m. three court days before trial.

In all trials in family law matters, each party shall file and serve on the opposing party and the court by 9:00 a.m. three court days prior to the trial, a written Family Law Information Form.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to exceed page limit

A party seeking to exceed the page limit must present a motion on the Ex Parte Docket before asking the Court to consider the declarations or affidavits.

A party seeking authorization to exceed the page limit shall do so by presenting a motion to exceed the page limit on the Ex Parte Docket, prior to a request to have the declaration(s) and/or affidavit(s) considered by the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation report

Parties must file a Mediation Report stating whether mediation resolved the case within five days after mediation is completed.

Within five days after completion of mediation, the parties shall file a Mediation Report indicating whether the case has been resolved.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for revision

When filing a motion for revision, the moving party must file a notice of hearing.

At the time a motion for revision is filed, the moving party shall schedule a hearing by filing a notice of hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript

An appellant challenging evidentiary support for a verdict or finding must include all testimony relevant to that dispute in the transcript.

If the appellant intends to urge that a verdict or finding of fact is not supported by the evidence, the appellant shall include in the transcript all testimony relevant to the disputed verdict or finding.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript fee waiver request

If requesting a transcript fee waiver, the moving party must file an updated indigency screening form within five days after filing the motion for revision.

If a transcript fee waiver is requested, the moving party must file an updated indigency screening form within five days after filing the motion for revision.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript

For transcripts provided at public expense, Court approval is required before requesting transcription of jury voir dire, opening or closing statements, or reading the jury instructions.

In a transcript provided at public expense, approval by the Court shall be obtained prior to requesting transcription of jury voir dire, opening and/or closing statements, and reading of the jury instructions.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Oath of personal representative administrator

All oaths of a proposed estate Personal Representative or Administrator under RCW 11.28.170 must include the specified qualification language.

10.1 The following additional language shall be included in all oaths of a proposed Personal Representative/Administrator of an estate provided pursuant to RCW 11.28.170: “I am qualified under RCW 11.36.010 to serve as a Personal Representative as I am not a corporation, a minor, a person of unsound mind, or a person who has been convicted of any felony or of any crime involving moral turpitude.”

CRITICAL

Applies to

Spreadsheet

A spreadsheet must be submitted as part of the in camera procedure when numerous records are at issue or the judge orders one.

In cases with numerous records at issue, or if ordered by the judge, a spreadsheet shall be submitted as part of the in camera procedure.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Bench copy

Each bench copy must be labeled as a bench copy and state the hearing date, time, and docket in the top left-hand corner of its first page.

3.3 Each bench copy shall be identified as a bench copy and shall identify the date, time, and the docket where the matter is scheduled to be heard in the top left-hand corner of the first page.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Summary judgment motion notice

A represented party moving for summary judgment against a pro se party must file the specified notice with the supporting papers.

Any represented party moving for summary judgment against a party proceeding pro se at the time the summary judgment motion was filed shall serve and file as a notice entitled “What is a Summary Judgment Motion? Notice for Parties Who Do Not Have a Lawyer” with the papers in support of the motion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Court order

A case may be transferred to arbitration only by court order after mediation under LCR 40 is complete.

Cases shall be transferred to arbitration only by court order and after mediation has been completed pursuant to LCR 40.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Civil mediation statement

In civil actions, all parties must prepare and deliver a Civil Mediation Statement to the mediator and opposing parties at least five working days before mediation, and must not file it with the court.

In civil actions, all parties shall prepare and deliver a Civil Mediation Statement to the mediator and opposing parties, no later than five working days prior to the mediation. The statement shall not be filed with the court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Ex parte restraining order motion

The motion for an ex parte restraining order and the order to show cause must be presented on the Ex Parte Docket unless a judicial officer allows otherwise for exigent circumstances.

The moving party shall present the Motion for Ex Parte Restraining Order and Order to Show Cause on the Ex Parte Docket, unless otherwise allowed by a judicial officer for exigent circumstances.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Child support worksheet

A Child Support Worksheet must also be filed and served with the Family Law Information Form whenever the amount of child support is disputed.

The following forms shall also be filed and served along with the Family Law Information Form: (b) Child Support Worksheet (WA Form WSCSS) whenever there is a dispute about the amount of child support owing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Grievance

A post-case grievance must be signed by at least one individual, provide that person’s address and telephone number, be based on personal knowledge, clearly and concisely explain its grounds, and be submitted to the Superior Court Administrator; supplemental materials are permitted.

After the conclusion of a case, a grievance concerning conduct by a guardian ad litem is hereinafter referred to as a “Grievance.” It shall be submitted in writing within 12 months after the conclusion of the case and signed by at least one individual with their address and telephone number. It shall be based upon personal knowledge and shall explain in clear and concise language the grounds for the grievance. Supplemental materials may be attached. It shall be submitted to the Superior Court Administrator at 419 N 4th Street, P.O. Box X, Shelton, WA 98584.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript

A moving party must provide the commissioner-hearing transcript unless proposed findings and conclusions were presented and there was no live testimony, or the assigned judicial officer waives the transcript requirement on written motion for limited issues and good cause.

A party moving for revision must provide a copy of the transcript of the hearing before the court commissioner, unless: (i) they have presented to the court commissioner proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law to support the order or judgment (The Administrative Office of the Court-approved form Order of Child Support and Child Support Worksheets may constitute findings of fact and conclusions of law for motions for revision on issues of child support); and (ii) there was no live testimony heard before the court commissioner. (iii) Upon written motion of the moving party, the judicial officer assigned to hear the revision may, in cases with limited issues and for good cause shown, waive the requirement of a transcript. A motion to waive transcript must be filed at the same time as a motion for revision.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certificate of compliance

Certificates of Compliance with the Standards for Indigent Defense required by CrR 3.1 must be filed quarterly with the Mason County Clerk.

Certificates of Compliance with the Standards for Indigent Defense required by CrR 3.1 shall be filed quarterly with the Mason County Clerk.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Complaint

An ongoing-case guardian ad litem complaint must be brought as a written motion filed by a party or the party’s attorney and noted for hearing under the court rules.

It shall be brought before the Court as a written motion filed by a party to the case or his or her attorney and must be properly served and noted for hearing in compliance with court rules.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Special award

Must include

certificate of service

The arbitrator must file the special award with the Clerk of the Court and include proof of service on each party.

The arbitrator shall make a special award for such expenses and shall file such award with the Clerk of the Court, with proof of service on each party.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Statement of arbitrability

A party who determines that a case is trial-ready and subject to mandatory arbitration must file and serve a Statement of Arbitrability.

When any party determines that the case is ready for trial and that the case is subject to mandatory arbitration, such party shall file and serve a Statement of Arbitrability on the form prescribed by the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Certificate of compliance

JuCR 9.2 Certificates of Compliance must be filed with the Mason County Clerk.

Certificates of Compliance with the Standards for Indigent Defense required by JuCR 9.2 shall be filed quarterly with the Mason County Clerk.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Family law mediation statement or family law information form

In family law actions, parties must prepare a mediation statement or information form and must not file it with the court.

In family law actions, all parties shall prepare and deliver a Family Law Mediation Statement or Family Law Information Form to the mediator, opposing parties, and the State of Washington, if the State is a party, no later than five working days prior to the mediation. The Family Law Information Form is available on the Mason County Superior Court website. The statement or form shall not be filed with the court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Spreadsheet

The required spreadsheet must identify entirely withheld and partially redacted records and include separate fields for the record identifier, identifying description or protected-content substitute, claimed exemption and its application, and an expandable cell for court notes.

The spreadsheet must clearly identify which records are claimed entirely exempt and have been withheld and which records have been redacted in part. The spreadsheet(s) shall list the following information in separate fields or columns: (A) the unique identifier for the record or page being reviewed, such as a Bates number; (B) descriptive information that accurately identifies the record, including author(s), recipients(s), and date(s) (or if descriptive information is protected, other means of sufficiently identifying particular records without disclosing protected content); (C) identification of a specific exemption claimed and an explanation of how it applies to the record; and (D) an expandable cell for the court’s notes.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Ex parte tro motion

The moving party or attorney must provide the court a written certification describing efforts to notify the opposing party.

The moving party or attorney shall certify to the court in writing the efforts which have been made to give notice to the opposing party.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to continue hearing

A motion to continue a hearing must explain whether a transcript was timely requested and whether it is ready.

A motion to continue the hearing must include reasons to support the motion and an explanation of whether a transcript has been timely requested and whether the transcript is ready.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to quash ex parte restraining order

A motion to quash an ex parte restraining order entered without notice must be presented on the Ex Parte Docket unless the court directs otherwise, and notice must follow the same requirements as for the original moving party.

Unless otherwise directed by the court, a party seeking to quash an Ex Parte Restraining Order entered without notice shall present the motion on the Ex Parte Docket. Notice shall be required in the same manner as it applies to a moving party described in Section (ii), above.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order to show cause

An Order to Show Cause must warn the responding party that failure to appear could result in an arrest warrant.

(a) Warnings; Failure to appear. The Order to Show Cause shall contain language warning the responding party that failure to appear could result in a warrant for arrest.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript

The transcript must include only the portions of the electronic recording necessary to present the issues raised on appeal.

The transcript shall contain only those portions of the electronic recording necessary to present the issues raised on appeal.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Response to statement of arbitrability

A party disagreeing with the Statement of Arbitrability must file and serve a Response.

Any party disagreeing with the Statement of Arbitrability shall, within ten (10) days after the Statement of Arbitrability has been served, file and serve a Response to the Statement of Arbitrability on the form prescribed by the Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Arbitrator information sheet

A person seeking to serve as an arbitrator must complete the court-prescribed information sheet.

A person desiring to serve as an arbitrator shall complete an information sheet on the form prescribed by the court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Financial declaration

A Financial Declaration must also be filed and served with the Family Law Information Form whenever spousal support or child support is disputed.

The following forms shall also be filed and served along with the Family Law Information Form: (a) Financial Declaration (Washington Form FL All Family 131) whenever there is a dispute about the award of Spousal Support and/or child support.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of appearance

Counsel for indigent defendants must state in a separate paragraph of each Notice of Appearance whether a current JuCR 9.2 Certificate is on file with the Clerk.

All Notice of Appearance forms filed by counsel for indigent defendants shall indicate in a separate paragraph whether or not a current JuCR 9.2 Certificate of Compliance with the Standards for Indigent Defense is on file with the Mason County Clerk.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Review request

The guardian ad litem may seek review or reconsideration of a sanction by making a written request to the Court Administrator within 15 days of the date of decision.

The guardian ad litem may seek review or reconsideration of a sanction by making a written request to the Court Administrator within 15 days of the date of decision.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Parenting seminar completion certificate or other proof documentation

Parties must file a certificate or other documentation proving seminar completion.

Parties shall file a certificate of completion or other documentation showing proof of completion of the parenting seminar as soon as possible after completion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Final custody decree parenting plan residential schedule or visitation order

In cases requiring a custody decree, parenting plan, residential schedule, or visitation order for minor children, the final order may not be entered without compliance with section 5.2 unless the Court approves otherwise.

This rule shall apply to all cases which require a custody decree, parenting plan, residential schedule or visitation order for minor children. No final custody decree, parenting plan, residential schedule or visitation order for minor children shall be entered without compliance with section 5.2, unless otherwise approved by the court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for revision

At the hearing, the moving party must identify each document presented to the commissioner and specify each portion of the findings, conclusions, or order to be revised.

The moving party shall specify each portion of the findings, conclusions and/or order to be revised and identify each document before the Court Commissioner at the time of hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Grievance response

A guardian ad litem’s response to a post-case grievance must be in writing.

For a Grievance after the conclusion of a case pursuant to (b)(2), the guardian ad litem shall respond in writing within 30 days from the date the Grievance is forwarded by the Court Administrator.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Final divorce order presentation

At presentation of final divorce or legal separation orders, a party must provide oral testimony unless one party signs the specified declaration in lieu of formal proof.

(a) Divorces and Legal Separations. At least one party shall appear to provide oral testimony about the final order of divorce or legal separation at the time of presentation of final orders, unless a Declaration in Lieu of formal Proof for: Final Divorce Order is signed by one party to the case, available online at https://masoncountywa.gov/superior-court/court-forms.php.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Interpreter notice

In a transferred case, a party must notify the Arbitration Supervisor in writing that an interpreter is needed if the party or, after the specified inquiry, another party or witness is hearing-impaired or has limited English ability.

In a case transferred to arbitration, if a party: (1) is hearing impaired or has a limited ability to speak or understand the English language, or (2) knows, or after reasonable inquiry has reason to believe, that any other party or any witness is hearing impaired or has limited ability to speak or understand the English language, the party shall advise the Arbitration Supervisor in writing that an interpreter is needed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed parenting plan

A Proposed Parenting Plan must also be filed and served with the Family Law Information Form whenever custodial arrangements for a child are disputed.

The following forms shall also be filed and served along with the Family Law Information Form: (c) Proposed Parenting Plan (WA Form FL All Family 140) whenever there is a dispute about the custodial arrangements regarding a child.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Arbitrator oath of office

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

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.

WARNING

Applies to

Background information report

The background information report must include the listed education, training, experience, appointment, removal, and criminal-history information.

The background information report shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (a) Level of formal education; (b) Training related to the guardian’s duties; (c) Number of years’ experience as a guardian ad litem; (d) Number of appointments as a guardian ad litem and county or counties of appointment; (e) The names of any counties in which the person was removed from a guardian ad litem registry pursuant to a grievance action, and the name of the court and the cause number of any case in which the court has removed the person for cause; and (f) Criminal history, as defined in RCW 9.94A.030.

WARNING

Applies to

Motion to waive transcript

The moving party may seek a transcript waiver by written motion, and the assigned judicial officer may grant it for limited issues and good cause.

Upon written motion of the moving party, the judicial officer assigned to hear the revision may, in cases with limited issues and for good cause shown, waive the requirement of a transcript.