Thurston County Superior Court, Washington Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Application for bail bond justification

An applicant seeking prior court justification and approval to provide bonds as an individual surety must provide verifiable qualification evidence, a current list of the agent’s bonds, and, when acting for a corporate surety, a certified power of attorney and an Insurance Commissioner letter.

In order to obtain prior justification and approval of the court to provide bonds as an individual surety the following requirements shall be met: (A) Provide the court verifiable documentary evidence of qualification, including but not limited to a current financial statement. (B) Provide a current list of all bonds on which the bail bond agent 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. (C) 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: (i) A certified copy of a power of attorney showing authorization of the applicant to act for the corporate surety. (ii) 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

Motion for revision

The moving party must identify each portion of the findings, conclusions, or order to be revised and each document that was before the commissioner at the hearing.

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

Gal registry application

Applicants must provide proof of either four qualifying GAL assignments completed within the last five years or two supervised assignments meeting the stated requirements.

(b) Practicum. All applicants must provide proof of four completed GAL assignments for any Washington State Superior Court within the last five years or proof of successful completion of two supervised GAL assignments as follows: (1) One GAL assignment done in conjunction with a mentor GAL that includes accompanying the mentor on all visits, attendance at all interviews, participation in preparation of a report, and attendance at all court hearings. The mentor is the GAL of record, and this assignment is without compensation to the applicant; and (2) One GAL assignment done under the supervision of the same mentor GAL that includes more active participation on the part of the applicant, such as requesting documents, conducting interviews, and preparing reports under the supervision of the mentor. The mentor is the GAL of record, and this assignment is without compensation to the applicant.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of withdrawal from participation in collaborative law

A Notice of Withdrawal from Participation in Collaborative Law must be filed when the process is completed or terminated.

Upon completion or termination of the Collaborative Law process, a Notice of Withdrawal from Participation in Collaborative Law shall be filed with the court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Judge copy opening brief

A judge’s copy of an opening brief citing an administrative record must attach the cited portions of that record.

A judge’s copy of an opening brief that cites to an administrative record shall attach the portions of the administrative record that is cited.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Telephonic ex parte request

For a telephonic ex parte request, parties must first file all documents relevant to the motion.

Parties may make a telephonic ex parte request by first filing all documents relevant to their motion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial report

The pretrial report must address trial length, witnesses and scheduling, exhibits and possible admission agreements, and anticipated pretrial motions or problems.

(3) Subjects for the Pre-Trial Report. The pretrial report shall address: (A) the length of the trial, including opening and closing argument; (B) confirmation of witnesses and coordination of scheduling; (C) identification of exhibits and agreement on admission where possible; and (D) discussion of anticipated pretrial motions or problems.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Criminal history release order

Each party and adult household resident must attach a legible copy of a current driver’s license or state identification to the Criminal History Release order.

Each party and adult residing in a party’s household shall attach a legible copy of their current drivers’ license or State Identification to this order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Complaint

A complaint against a GAL or DGAL must be written, filed with the Superior Court Administrator, identify the specific act or failure to act, and include the listed contact, case, complaint-notification, response, code-of-conduct, and appointment-order information.

Any person may file a complaint against a guardian ad litem or DGAL. The complaint must be submitted in writing and filed with the Superior Court Administrator under Titles 11, 13 and 26. The complaint must state the specific guardian ad litem or DGAL act or failure to act of concern to the complaining person and shall include the following information: (A) The name, mailing address, telephone number, and e-mail address of the person filing the complaint. (B) The status of any underlying case including the case number and case name. (C) Whether the complaining person told the guardian ad litem or DGAL about the complaint. (D) What action, if any, the guardian ad litem or DGAL has taken to address the complaint. (E) Which section(s) of the Thurston County Superior Court Guardian ad Litem Code of Conduct was violated and the specific facts involved for each violation. A copy of the Code of Conduct is available from the Superior Court Administrator or the DGAL Program Coordinator. (F) Which provision(s) in the Order of Appointment the complaining person feels the guardian ad litem or DGAL has violated and the specific facts supporting each alleged violation.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Declaration of completion

The mediator must file a Declaration of Completion within 7 days after mediation is completed.

Within 7 days of completion, a Declaration of Completion shall be filed by the mediator.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for continuance

A motion for continuance must contain the client’s written acknowledgment, be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration giving specific reasons, and, if agreed or uncontested, contain written acknowledgment from all parties.

A motion to continue a trial must be timely filed and served not less than ten calendar days before the trial date. A motion for continuance must (A) contain written acknowledgment of the motion by the client, (B) be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration containing specific reasons necessitating a continuance, and (C) if agreed or uncontested, contain written acknowledgment of the motion by all parties to the case.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Cover sheet

Must include

caption, case number

If the motion to seal is granted, the moving party must file the unredacted sealed documents with a cover sheet containing the specified case information, title, and wording.

If the motion to seal is granted, the moving party shall file the unredacted sealed document(s) with a cover sheet bearing the case caption and case number, the document title, “SEALED PER COURT ORDER DATED [insert date of filing], and the words “CLERK’S ACTION REQUIRED” below the title.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Witness list

Each party must provide and file an expected-witness list by the scheduled date, include the specified information for each witness, and promptly disclose witnesses whose need could not reasonably have been anticipated.

(B) Each party shall provide to the other party and file with the clerk all of their expected witnesses on the required Witness List form by the date set in the Case Schedule Order. As to each witness, each party shall state the name, address, phone number and email contact information for each witness, the length and topic of the witness’s expected testimony, and whether the witness is a fact or expert witness. The only exception is for witnesses whose testimony cannot reasonably be anticipated before receipt of the other party’s witness list; each witness who cannot be listed ahead of time shall be disclosed promptly upon anticipating the need for the witness to testify.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order presentation

Must include

proposed order

Order presentations under this rule must include the original order, supporting materials, required fee, self-addressed stamped envelopes, and copies of the order to be signed.

A person presenting an order under this rule must send the original order, supporting materials, and the required fee in the clerk’s Fee Schedule (LCR 79(g)) to the clerk. Self-addressed, stamped envelopes, along with copies of the order to be signed shall also be provided for return of any conformed materials or rejected orders.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to substitute

A lawyer substituting for current counsel must file a motion asking for substitution; a Notice of Appearance or Notice of Substitution and Withdrawal is insufficient once the case is set for trial.

In cases where a new lawyer wishes to substitute for a current attorney, the substituting attorney must file a motion asking for substitution. A Notice of Appearance or Notice of Substitution and Withdrawal is insufficient to allow substitution once a case has been set for trial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Final orders

When a party currently receives support for a dependent child and is a public-assistance beneficiary, final orders and accompanying child-support orders and worksheets cannot be entered until notice is given to one of the specified state or county offices.

No Final Orders or accompanying Child Support Orders and Worksheets shall be entered in any family law case, when a party receives support for any dependent child at that time and is a beneficiary of public assistance, unless and until notice has been given to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, Office of Support Enforcement, or the Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Family Support Division.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Agreed case schedule amendment

Agreed amendments changing a non-trial date deadline must include the parties’ certification that the agreement will not be used to change the trial date, unless the assigned judge expressly waives that requirement.

Agreed amendments to change the deadline for any date on the case schedule order other than the trial date must contain the parties’ certification that the agreement will not serve as a basis to change the trial date, unless expressly waived by the assigned judge.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Registry update

The update must include a current resume, signed background-check authorization, proof of eight hours of relevant continuing education, and disclosure of related complaints from the past two calendar years.

The update shall include: (A) current resume; (B) signed criminal background check authorization; (C) proof of attendance at eight hours of continuing education related to guardianship work during the past two calendar years; and (D) disclosure of any complaints related to the GAL‘s work during the past two calendar years in any jurisdiction.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Court reporter notes

Court reporters must file notes from civil and criminal cases separately.

Notes from civil and criminal cases shall be filed separately.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of disqualification

A party seeking to disqualify a judge must file a timely notice of disqualification under RCW 4.12.050.

To seek disqualification of a judge, a timely notice of disqualification (affidavit of prejudice) is filed pursuant to RCW 4.12.050.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of issue

An attorney withdrawing without substitute counsel must file a Notice of Issue scheduling the party’s Orientation.

The withdrawing attorney shall file a Notice of Issue, scheduling the Orientation for the party.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for continuance

A Motion for Continuance must include the client's written acknowledgment and a declaration stating the specific reasons for the continuance.

A Motion for Continuance must (i) contain written acknowledgment of the motion by the client, and (ii) be accompanied by a declaration giving the specific reasons necessitating a continuance.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing continued or stricken cancelled

A hearing strike or continuance must be communicated to the clerk using the specified form available on the clerk’s website.

Strikes and continuances must be communicated to the clerk’s office through the “notice of hearing continued or stricken/cancelled” form available on the clerk’s web page.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed jury instructions

Must include

caption

Proposed jury instructions must include a cover sheet with a case caption reading “Court’s Instructions to the Jury.”

A cover sheet with a case caption which reads “Court’s Instructions to the Jury” shall be included.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Annual update

The annual update must include the completed update form and criminal background check authorization, along with an updated resume or curriculum vitae.

by completing the annual update form and the criminal background check authorization, as well as providing an updated resume or curriculum vitae.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Trial election

The parties must state in writing on the court-provided form, by the date in the Case Schedule Order, whether they elect an informal family law trial or a traditional trial.

The parties must state in writing by the date set in the Case Schedule Order on a form provided by the court, whether they elect to proceed with an IFLT or a traditional trial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pre trial report

In family law cases, each party must file, serve, and provide a Pre-Trial Report on the prescribed form at least 30 days before the first day of the scheduled trial week.

(D) For family law cases, no less than 30 days prior to the first day of the week trial is scheduled to commence, each party shall file, serve on the other party, and provide to court administration a Pre-Trial Report on the prescribed form.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Response

A response must be signed by the parent or respondent or their attorney; if only the attorney signs, it must certify that the attorney discussed the specific admissions and denials with the represented person.

The response shall be signed by the parent or other respondent or their attorney. If the response is signed only by the attorney, the response shall include a certification that the specific admissions and denials have been discussed by the attorney with the represented parent or respondent.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed final orders

Each party in a family-law trial must provide proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and proposed Decrees using the Washington Pattern Forms for use as trial exhibits.

Each party to a family law trial shall provide proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law and proposed Decrees, as found in the Washington Pattern Forms, to be used as trial exhibits.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for revision

Main Campus revision motions must be placed on the assigned judge’s civil motion calendar when a judge is assigned, or on the out-of-custody criminal miscellaneous motions calendar when no judge is assigned.

Revision motions for matters heard at Main Campus shall be scheduled on the assigned judge’s civil motion calendar if a judge is assigned. If the case does not have a judge assignment, the party shall schedule the hearing on the out of custody criminal miscellaneous motions calendar.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of settlement

Settling parties must jointly file written notice before the earlier of five days after settlement or the next scheduled hearing.

The settling parties shall jointly file a written notice of settlement with the court before the earlier of (a) 5 days from the date of the settlement or (b) the date of the next scheduled court hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of disqualification

A party seeking a judge’s disqualification must provide court administration with a copy of the notice.

The party(ies) seeking the disqualification of a judge shall provide a copy of the notice of disqualification to court administration.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for leave to file pleadings

A party seeking prefiling review must provide a copy of the restricting court order if it was issued in a different case.

The party shall also present a copy of the court order that requires prefiling restrictions if the order was not issued in the same case in which filing is sought.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Adr report

The facilitator must file an ADR Report stating whether the case has been resolved.

Within 5 days after the completion of ADR, the facilitator shall file an ADR Report indicating whether the case has been resolved.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Oath of office

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

CRITICAL

Applies to

Declaration

A represented party is excused from Orientation upon filing a declaration committing to attend the required Parenting Seminar and mediation.

Attendance at the Orientation shall be excused for a party who is represented by an attorney, upon filing a declaration that the party shall attend the Parenting Seminar in compliance with LSPR 94.06(c) and mediation in compliance with LSPR 94.05.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed jury instructions

File with the clerk one numbered set with citations and one numbered set without citations; the sets may be combined in one document.

(A) To the Clerk: A set of instructions numbered and with citations, and a set that is numbered and without citations, shall be filed with the clerk. The numbered and unnumbered proposed instructions may be submitted together as one document.

CRITICAL

Applies to

First filed pleading

The first pleading in a Public Records Act case must identify the case as a PRA case on its front page.

(A) Every case filed under the Public Records Act (PRA) shall be clearly identified as a Public Records Act case on the front page of the first filed pleading and noted on the Case Information Cover Sheet as a Public Records Act cause of action.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Child related trial exhibits

In proceedings involving children, each party must provide the specified proposed parenting plan, child support order, and worksheets by noon two court days before the trial week.

In proceedings involving children, each party shall provide, by 12:00 p.m., 2 court days prior to the week of trial, a proposed Parenting Plan (Washington Pattern Form FL All Family 140), a proposed Child Support Order (Washington Pattern Form FL All Family 130), and Child Support Worksheets (Washington Pattern Form WSCSS – Worksheets) for use as trial exhibits.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Registry removal appeal

An appeal of a committee recommendation to remove a GAL from the registry must be in writing and directed to the Chief Judge at Family and Juvenile Court.

In the event the committee recommends removal from the registry, the GAL shall have ten days to appeal the decision in writing to the Chief Judge at Family and Juvenile Court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Sentencing materials

Sentencing materials must include any documents the judge is asked to consider at sentencing.

The sentencing materials include any documents that the judge is requested to consider during the sentencing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Return of service

The Return of Service must include a copy of the Information for Persons Involved in a Custody Action form.

A copy of the form entitled Information for Persons Involved in a Custody Action shall be served with the Petition and included in the Return of Service.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Guardian ad litem appointment order

When a Guardian ad Litem is appointed for a minor in a family law case, the court must enter the supplemental appointment order in addition to the mandatory appointment form.

In all family law cases in which a Guardian ad Litem is appointed for a minor, the court shall enter an Order Appointing Guardian ad Litem (Supplemental) in addition to the mandatory Order Appointing Guardian ad Litem form.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of settlement

If written settlement notice cannot be filed before the next scheduled hearing, the parties must appear at that hearing.

Where such written notice cannot be filed before the next scheduled court hearing, the parties shall appear in court on the scheduled hearing date.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for revision

Revision motions for matters heard at Family & Juvenile Court must be scheduled on that court’s revision calendar.

Revision motions for matters heard at the Family & Juvenile Court shall be scheduled on the Family & Juvenile Court revision calendar.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

A proposed order on a motion to seal must include specific proposed findings stating the basis for sealing the subject documents.

The proposed order must include specific proposed findings setting forth the basis for sealing the subject document(s) as required by GR 15(c)(2).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Amended case schedule order

Schedule amendments require an amended case schedule order.

Amendments to the schedule may be obtained only by obtaining an amended case schedule order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Every document

Every document, including electronic judge’s copies sent to the Clerk’s Office, must contain the specified information and format at the top left of the first page.

Every document, including electronic judge’s copies sent to the Clerk’s Office, shall contain all the following information in the following format on the top left-hand corner of the first page per LCR 10.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Sample gal report

Applicants must submit a sample GAL report based on a fact scenario provided by the GAL Coordinator.

(5) provide a sample GAL report of three to five pages in length, double spaced, based on a fact scenario to be provided by the GAL Coordinator;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for leave to file pleadings

A party subject to prefiling restrictions must submit a motion for leave to file pleadings accompanied by all pleadings and supporting materials the party wants considered.

The party subject to prefiling restrictions shall present a motion for an order granting leave to file pleadings. The motion seeking permission to file the pleadings shall be accompanied by all pleadings the party wants the court to consider in support of the underlying request. This includes the underlying motion or petition, summons, supporting declarations, proposed orders, and sealed materials.