Thurston County Superior Court, Washington Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Original pleading or other paper

Must include

caption, case number

Original pleadings and other papers must have a proper caption and cause number for the clerk to file-stamp, docket, and secure them.

All original pleading or other papers with proper caption and cause number will be file stamped, docketed, and secured in the legal file by the clerk in the order received.

CRITICAL

A matter may be placed on the final-orders calendar only if the file shows that the respondent joined the petition, agreed in writing to the proposed final orders, or has an order of default entered or available for entry at the hearing.

Matters shall be placed on this calendar only if the file shows the following: (A) The Respondent has joined in the petition for dissolution of marriage; or (B) The Respondent has agreed in writing to entry of the proposed final orders; or (C) An order of default has been entered or is appropriate and available for entry at the time of the hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Prehearing statement

Each party must furnish the arbitrator copies of relevant pleadings and other documents from the court file in addition to the materials required by Superior Court Civil Arbitration Rule 5.2.

In addition to the requirements of Superior Court Civil Arbitration Rule 5.2, each party shall also furnish the arbitrator with copies of pleadings and other documents contained in the court file that the party deems relevant.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

Schedule an emergency ex parte motion using the specified Notice of Hearing form and check the Ex Parte-Emergency Motions box.

Use this form to schedule an Emergency Ex Parte Motion: Notice of Hearing for Ex Parte Emergency Motions. The form is located on the Clerk’s Office website. On the form, you will check the box for Ex Parte- Emergency Motions.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pretrial services report

The pretrial services report must be filed and provided to the prosecuting attorney’s office, assigned judicial officer, and Public Defense for the court-appointed or retained attorney.

A report shall be filed and provided to the prosecuting attorney’s office, the assigned judicial officer, and to the Thurston County Public Defense for the court-appointed attorney or any retained attorney.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Jury trial demand

A jury-trial demand must be on a separate document.

(1) The demand for jury trial shall be on a separate document.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Videotaped deposition

A party seeking to make a published videotaped deposition part of the court file must submit a certified transcript.

A party who wishes to make a published videotaped deposition part of the court file must submit a certified transcript of the deposition.

CRITICAL

The party seeking settlement approval must nominate a Settlement Guardian ad Litem and present the nominee’s qualifications to the court.

The party who is petitioning for approval of a settlement under this rule must nominate a Settlement Guardian ad Litem and present the nominee’s qualifications to the court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

For the unlawful detainer administrative session, prepare the motion, declaration, proposed order, and notice form; check the unlawful-detainer ex parte box and file the proposed order separately with the stated wording and signature requirements.

Prepare a motion, declaration, proposed order, and a “Civil - Notice of Hearing” form (MS Word or PDF)  to schedule your motion on the Administrative Session. When you fill out the Notice of Hearing, check the box for “Unlawful Detainer Ex Parte.” File your proposed order as a separate document, not as part of a motion or other filing. You may include a cover sheet with the case caption and the title “Proposed Order.” The order itself should not include the word “proposed” and should be ready for the judge’s signature.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Contraband certificate

The clerk must file any received federal or state agency certificate showing the nature of the contraband or substances.

The clerk shall also file any certificate issued by an authorized federal or state agency and received by the clerk showing the nature of such contraband or substances.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Periodic report

For periodic reports involving liquid assets exceeding $10,000, the conservator or trustee must attach supporting documentation, generally including bank statements for the first and last reporting-period months, subject to the stated alternative and the court’s discretion.

When a conservator or trustee for the estate of an incapacitated person whose liquid assets exceed $10,000.00 files a periodic report, in addition to providing the financial information required by statute, the conservator or trustee shall attach supporting documentation to the accounting. At a minimum, the supporting documentation shall include monthly bank statements for at least the first and last month of the reporting period, or, if the conservator or trustee is a bank or professional trustee, it may file a statement of account instead of monthly bank statements. The court retains discretion to require additional supporting information from the conservator or trustee or to waive this requirement for an individual report or, through a court order, future reports.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Telephonic participation request

The attorney must present the Motion, Declaration, and Order Regarding Participation in Hearing by Person in Custody for signature by 3:00 pm on the day before the applicable calendar.

The attorney must present the Motion, Declaration and Order Regarding Participation in Hearing by Person in Custody for the judicial officer’s signature no later than 3:00 pm the day before the applicable calendar.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Motion

A Notice of Hearing must be filed to schedule a motion.

To schedule a motion before the court you will need to file a Notice of Hearing which can be found at the Clerk's Office here.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Amended case schedule order

A continued trial requires a new trial date to be established in an amended case schedule order.

If the trial is continued, a new trial date must be established in an amended case schedule order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed jury instructions

A set of instructions numbered and with citations, and a set that is number and without citations, shall be filed with the clerk.

A set of instructions numbered and with citations, and a set that is number and without citations, shall be filed with the clerk.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Ex parte motion and proposed order

A self-represented party’s ex parte motions and proposed orders generally must be reviewed and approved by a legal professional before presentation, but fee-waiver motions are exempt.

Ex parte motions and proposed orders by a self-represented party, except fee waivers, shall be reviewed by and approved for form and completeness by a legal professional before the motion is presented to a judicial officer. Legal professional means an attorney, Limited License Legal Technician, courthouse facilitator, or a legal aid volunteer. Motions for fee waivers may be presented ex parte without first being reviewed by a legal professional.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Decree of dissolution

In matters involving minor children, each party must file Child Support Worksheets and a proposed or agreed Parenting Plan, and the LSPR 94.06 requirements must be satisfied before a Decree of Dissolution is entered.

In matters involving minor children, a Decree of Dissolution shall not be entered unless Child Support Worksheets and a proposed or agreed Parenting Plan have been filed by each party and the LSPR 94.06 requirements have been satisfied.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Initial decision

The Board’s initial decision must be written and state whether there is cause to proceed and the reasons for the decision.

The initial decision shall be in writing and state whether the Board finds cause to proceed with the complaint and the reasons for that decision.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Document filed for hearing

Every document filed for a hearing must include the hearing date, hearing time, and judge/calendar in substantially the specified format at the top left of the first page.

Every document filed for a hearing shall contain the following information in substantially the following format in the top left-hand corner of the first page. Hearing date: Hearing time: Judge/Calendar:

CRITICAL

Applies to

Stipulation

A stipulation extending the primary-witness disclosure deadline must include the quoted provision stating that the delay cannot be asserted as a basis for continuing the established trial date.

The deadline for disclosure of possible primary witnesses may be extended by written stipulation of all parties without a court order for an additional period not to exceed 14 days, provided that the stipulation contains the following provision: “No party may assert this delay in the disclosure of witnesses as a basis for a continuance of the established trial date.”

CRITICAL

Applies to

Emergency motion

To schedule an emergency motion, first file the notice of hearing, motion, supporting materials, proposed orders, and proposed-order cover sheet.

To schedule an emergency motion, you will need to first file a notice of hearing, the motion, supporting materials, proposed order(s), and cover sheet for your proposed order(s), no later than 11:00 am the day of the scheduled hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pleading requiring clerk action

Pleadings requiring clerk action beyond file-stamping and docketing must include “CLERK’S ACTION REQUIRED” in the caption beneath the case number on the first page.

All pleadings that require action by the clerk, other than file stamping and docketing, shall contain the language “CLERK’S ACTION REQUIRED” in the caption beneath the case number on the first page of the document.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Dependency petition response

Parents or other respondents must file a response to a dependency petition.

The parents or other respondents shall file a response to a petition for dependency in accordance with time requirements for other civil actions.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Summary judgment motion

A represented party moving for summary judgment against a pro se party must file and serve the specified court-approved 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. This notice shall be on a form approved by the court and available on the court’s website.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of hearing

For the civil administrative ex parte calendar, prepare a notice of hearing and enter the specified date, motion name, and ex parte checkbox information.

Prepare a motion, declaration (if needed), proposed order, and a notice of hearing for civil motions (available on the Clerk's website). On the Notice of Hearing, enter the upcoming Thursday's date in Section 1, your motion's name in Section 2, and check the box for "Civil Motion Ex Parte" in Section 3.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

For a matter scheduled in the morning, the requesting party must propose a time in the Motion.

For matters scheduled in the morning, the requesting party must propose a time on the Motion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Report response

Any GAL response to a written report must be in writing.

If a written report is issued, the GAL will have seven days to respond in writing to the report.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Remote hearing submission

Must include

proposed order

A party attending a hearing remotely must provide a proposed order, as parties appearing in person must.

A party who attends a hearing remotely has the same duties as parties who appear in person, including the duties to provide judges’ copies of pleadings and to provide a proposed order.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Civil case scheduling

Civil litigation is not ready for scheduling unless each defendant has proof of service of the summons and complaint or a responsive pleading on file, and at least one answer or responsive pleading has been filed.

Civil litigation is not ready to be scheduled unless: (i) for each defendant, there is either proof of service of the summons and complaint or an answer or responsive pleading in the file; and (ii) at least one answer or responsive pleading has been filed.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of request to participate in adr

A party seeking court ADR not identified in the Case Schedule Order must file a Notice of Request to Participate in ADR that identifies the selected ADR model.

When the court’s ADR program has not been identified in the Case Schedule Order, any party desiring to participate in the court’s ADR program shall file a Notice of Request to Participate in ADR and provide a copy to the ADR Coordinator. The Notice form is available on the court’s website. The Notice shall designate the ADR model selected (settlement conference or mediation).

CRITICAL

Applies to

Improper material filing

If the clerk determines that submitted material is improper or inappropriate for filing, the presenting party must apply to the court for a determination.

Whenever there is presented to the clerk for filing any paper or material that the clerk determines to be improper or inappropriate for filing, the presenting party shall apply to the court for a determination of the propriety of filing the material presented.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Case information cover sheet

A Case Information Cover Sheet must be completed when any action is filed in the FJC.

(d) Case Information Cover Sheet. To assist in the identification of concurrent actions, a Case Information Cover Sheet shall be completed upon filing of any action in the FJC.

CRITICALCivil cases

Applies to

Scheduling questionnaire

File a completed Scheduling Questionnaire by the deadline specified in the Notice of Assignment/Trial Scheduling Date.

Instead, file a completed Scheduling Questionnaire by the deadline designated on the Notice of Assignment/Trial Scheduling Date.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to withdraw

An attorney seeking to withdraw because of ethical issues must make a motion and give notice to all involved parties.

In cases where an attorney is attempting to withdraw because of ethical issues, a motion must be made and notice given to all involved parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed order

Prepare a motion, declaration, and proposed order. File your proposed order as a separate document, not as part of a motion or other filing. You may include a cover sheet with the case caption and the title “Proposed Order.” The order itself should not include the word “proposed” and should be ready for the judge’s signature.

Prepare a motion, declaration, and proposed order. File your proposed order as a separate document, not as part of a motion or other filing. You may include a cover sheet with the case caption and the title “Proposed Order.” The order itself should not include the word “proposed” and should be ready for the judge’s signature.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Bond

A bond required of a personal representative must be signed by the principal and sureties.

All bonds required of personal representatives shall be signed by the principal and sureties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Request to participate in adr

The requesting party must file a Request to Participate in ADR and provide a copy to the ADR Coordinator to request a facilitator.

In the event the court’s ADR program is chosen and identified in the Case Schedule Order, at any time, but no later than 60 days before the ADR deadline, the requesting party shall request that the ADR Coordinator assign a facilitator from the panel maintained by the court by filing and serving a Request to Participate in ADR and providing a copy to the ADR Coordinator.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Trial setting request form

The moving party must file a Request for Trial Setting form and place the matter on the administrative calendar to initiate trial setting.

To initiate the setting of a trial, the moving party must file a Request for Trial Setting form and set the matter on the administrative calendar for trial setting.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Gal registry application

Applicants must provide a current resume or CV, complete the GAL application and background-check forms, and provide a sample GAL report based on the coordinator’s scenario.

(2) provide a current resume or curriculum vitae; (3) complete the GAL application form provided by the GAL Coordinator; (4) complete the Background Check Information/Authorization Form 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

Apa transfer certification

For transfer certification by consent, all parties must agree to transfer and review on the existing agency record, and present a signed consent and proposed certification through the civil ex parte process.

(A) Consent of all parties. An APA case shall be certified for transfer to the Court of Appeals if all parties: (i) consent to the transfer to the Court of Appeals; (ii) agree that the judicial review can occur based on the agency record developed before the administrative body without supplementing the record under RCW 34.05.562; and (iii) present, through the court’s civil ex parte process: (a) a consent signed by all parties reflecting such consent and agreement and (b) a proposed certification for transfer of judicial review to the Court of Appeals.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Petition

A petition seeking an order to open a safety deposit box must show jurisdictional facts and allege that the deceased’s will is in a box the deceased could access.

Upon filing a petition showing jurisdictional facts as to the estate of a deceased person and alleging that a will exists and is in a safety deposit box to which the deceased had access, any person having control of such safety deposit box may be directed by court order to open such box in the presence of the petitioner.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Receipt

The receipt obtained from the law enforcement agency for delivery of contraband or substances must be filed in the case.

The clerk shall then deliver the contraband or substances and take from the law enforcement agency a receipt which shall be filed in the case.

WARNING

Applies to

Jury excusal request

A potential juror aged 80 or older must attest on a court-provided form that health reasons prevent service to qualify for this excusal ground.

(H) The potential juror is 80 years of age or older and attests, on a form provided by the court, that they are unable to serve due to health reasons.

WARNING

Applies to

Jury excusal request

The court may require written documentation supporting a jury-service excusal request.

(3) The court may require written documentation to support a request for excusal from jury service.

WARNING

Applies to

Petition

A ballot-title appeal petition may serve as the opening brief if it clearly states that no opening brief will be filed.

The petition can serve as the opening brief if it clearly indicates in the petition that no opening brief will be filed.

WARNING

Applies to

Court file inquiry or conformed copy request

Requests to the clerk for a response to a court-file inquiry or for returned conformed copies must include a self-addressed, stamped return envelope.

All requests to the clerk for a response to an inquiry about a court file or for return of conformed copies of pleadings must be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped return envelope.

WARNING

Applies to

Jury excusal request

A financial-hardship basis for jury-service excusal must be outlined in writing and applies to the stated uncompensated or self-employed circumstances.

(D) Undue financial hardship, outlined in writing, when a person is not compensated for jury service by an employer, or self-employed persons who would incur financial hardship.

WARNING

Applies to

Request for trial setting

This form should be filed at least 14 days before the date set on the administrative calendar and should indicate the nature of the case, the number of expected factual witnesses, the number of expert witnesses, the expected length of trial, and unavailable dates.

This form should be filed at least 14 days before the date set on the administrative calendar and should indicate the nature of the case, the number of expected factual witnesses, the number of expert witnesses, the expected length of trial, and unavailable dates.

WARNING

Applies to

Witness list

Each party should submit a witness list that contains the estimated time for testimony, topic of testimony, and contact information for each witness. The witness list should be filed, and a copy provided to all parties 8 weeks prior to the week of trial. Parties shall use the court’s Witness List form.

Each party should submit a witness list that contains the estimated time for testimony, topic of testimony, and contact information for each witness. The witness list should be filed, and a copy provided to all parties 8 weeks prior to the week of trial. Parties shall use the court’s Witness List form.

WARNING

Applies to

Order regarding participation in hearing by person in custody

A copy of the signed Order is to be provided to Court Administration as soon as possible after it is signed.

A copy of the Order will then be provided to Court Administration as soon as possible after signed.