Walla Walla County Superior Court Document Filing Requirements

CRITICAL

Applies to

Reconsideration request

A GAL/CV seeking reconsideration must submit a written request to the Court Services Director, who forwards it and other documents to the Presiding Judge for a final determination.

C. Reconsideration. A GAL/CV seeking reconsideration of the decision shall do so in writing to the Court Services Director who shall forward the request and other documents to the Presiding Judge for final determination.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Business appraisal or evidence summary

For a party’s proprietorship, partnership, or closely held corporation, provide either a written appraisal or a summary of the evidence to be relied upon.

A written appraisal of any proprietorship, partnership, or closely held corporation of the parties, or a summary of the evidence which will be relied upon;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Objection

Objections to a proposed document must be written; proposed substitutions may be included if deemed appropriate.

B. Any party objecting to the proposed document shall within ten (10) days after receipt thereof serve opposing counsel, and mail/deliver to the judge, objections thereto in writing, together with any proposed substitutions if deemed appropriate.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of appearance

A self-represented party must file the designated notice-of-appearance form with an address for accepting legal papers, an email address and/or phone number, and an indication whether they agree to accept case papers at the listed email address.

Any party appearing pro se shall file in the matter a Notice of Appearance (For a Party Without a Lawyer) form which shall include an address at which they agree to accept legal papers, a contact email address and/or a phone number. The pro se party shall also indicate on this form if they agree to accept legal papers for the case at the listed email address.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed document

Judgments and findings of fact and conclusions of law must be presented using the procedure above; orders and other documents may also be presented under CR 54(f)(2) without oral argument.

D. The preceding shall be the exclusive method for presenting judgments and findings of facts and conclusions of law. Orders and other documents also may be presented pursuant to CR 54(f)(2), without oral argument.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Asset liability list

If asset or liability distribution is at issue, each party must file and serve a list with the position statement, state the party’s good-faith opinion of each asset’s fair market value at separation, and sign the list under penalty of perjury; current value may also be stated if significantly different.

If distribution of assets or liabilities is an issue, each party shall file and serve a list of assets and liabilities known to the party, together with the position statement, and shall indicate the party’s good faith opinion as to the fair market value of any asset as of the date of separation. The parties may also indicate the current fair market value if there is a significant difference. This list shall be signed by the party under penalty of perjury.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Published videotaped deposition

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

Applies to

Proposed instructions

Sets of proposed instructions shall be prepared and distributed as follows: a. Original, which shall be assembled and numbered and contain citations, shall be filed with the clerk; b. One copy, which shall be assembled, numbered and contain citations, shall be provided to counsel for each other party; c. One copy, which shall be assembled and numbered, shall be retained by the counsel preparing them; d. One copy, which shall be assembled, numbered and contain citations, shall be provided to the trial judge; e. One copy, without numbers or citations, shall be provided to the trial judge.

Sets of proposed instructions shall be prepared and distributed as follows: a. Original, which shall be assembled and numbered and contain citations, shall be filed with the clerk; b. One copy, which shall be assembled, numbered and contain citations, shall be provided to counsel for each other party; c. One copy, which shall be assembled and numbered, shall be retained by the counsel preparing them; d. One copy, which shall be assembled, numbered and contain citations, shall be provided to the trial judge; e. One copy, without numbers or citations, shall be provided to the trial judge.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Agreed parenting plan

A proposed parenting plan that is filed need not be initialed or approved by the Facilitator, but an agreed parenting plan submitted for court approval must be initialed and approved by the Facilitator.

If a proposed parenting plan is filed, it need not be initialed or approved by the court Facilitator, but any agreed parenting plan submitted for court approval must be so initialed and approved.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Transcript

When there was live testimony, a transcript is required for a motion for revision, and the moving party must ensure it is filed with the court.

A transcript shall be required for all motions for revision in which there was live testimony. A party moving for revision is responsible for ensuring that the transcript of the proceeding is filed with the court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Request to exceed page limit

A request to exceed the page limit must be made in writing and explain specifically why additional pages are needed and how many are requested.

A party may seek court authorization to exceed the page limit. Such authorization shall be requested in writing explaining with specificity the need to exceed the page limits and how many additional pages are requested.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Partnership and corporate tax returns

Complete returns for the past two years, with all schedules and attachments, must be provided for partnerships or corporations in which a party had an interest of 5% or greater.

3. Partnership and Corporate Tax Returns. Complete partnership and/or corporate tax returns for the past 2 years together with all schedules and attachments for all partnerships and corporations in which a party has had an interest of 5% or greater;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Appointment order

Each appointment order must state the hourly compensation rate and, if determined, the payment source; when the county is responsible for some or all costs, unless waived, it must require court authorization for services exceeding $1,750 per case.

Each order appointing a GAL/CV shall set forth the hourly rate of compensation for the investigative/legal work; source of payment, if determined; and in all cases where the county shall be responsible for some or all of the costs, unless waived, shall require the GAL/CV to seek court authorization to provide services in excess of $1,750.00 per case.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Agreed omnibus order

If a matter is not continued at or before the status hearing, a trial date must be scheduled; when the trial date is set, the parties must file an agreed omnibus order or the court must schedule an omnibus hearing within two weeks.

C. Scheduling Trial Date: If a matter is not continued at or before the status hearing, a trial date shall be scheduled. When a trial date is set, the parties shall file an agreed omnibus order or the court shall schedule an omnibus hearing within two (2) weeks.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice of appearance

A self-represented party must file an updated notice-of-appearance form after a change to the contact information listed on the form.

Any party appearing pro se shall notify the court and the opposing party or attorney the next judicial day after any change of contact information listed in their Notice of Appearance (For a Party Without a Lawyer) form and shall file an updated form in the matter.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Life insurance statement

A statement from each applicable life insurance company must provide the policy’s cash value and any loans against it.

A statement from each life insurance company issuing a policy of insurance on the life of either party as to its cash value and any loans on the cash value;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Personal property appraisals

A written appraisal or a summary of the evidence to be relied upon must be provided for real estate and specified personal property of special, unusual, or extraordinary value.

7. Personal Property Appraisals. A written appraisal of any real estate, antiques, jewelry or other items of special, unusual or extraordinary value or a summary of the evidence which will be relied upon;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Child support worksheets

If child support is at issue, the submitting party must provide all pages of the Washington State Child Support Worksheets, signed by that party.

1. Support Worksheet. If child support is an issue, Washington State Child Support Worksheets (all pages), signed by the submitting party;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Proposed case scheduling order

A proposed case scheduling order continuing a status hearing must be accompanied by the defendant’s speedy-trial waiver, which must accommodate the proposed new hearing dates.

A waiver of speedy trial by the defendant accompanies the proposed order which accommodates the proposed new hearing dates;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to shorten time

A motion to shorten time must be written and supported by a declaration or affidavit stating the exigency or compelling reason and demonstrating due diligence in notifying or attempting to notify all other parties.

All motions to shorten time must be in writing and supported by declaration or affidavit that; (a) states exigent circumstances or other compelling reasons why the matter must be heard on shortened time, and (b) demonstrates due diligence in the manner and method by which notice, or attempted notice, was provided to all other parties regarding the presentation of the motion to shorten time.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Ex parte custody change order

An ex parte order changing a minor child’s custody may not issue without a clear showing of present danger to the child and/or that the custodial person will remove the child from Washington unless custody changes immediately.

No ex parte orders shall be issued changing the custody of minor children without a clear showing of present danger to a child (children) and/or that the custodial person will, unless custody change is immediate, remove the said child (children) from the State of Washington.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Position statement

Each party must prepare a position statement and mail or deliver it to the opposing party and court 7 days before the status hearing.

Each party shall prepare his or her position statement and mail or deliver the same to the opposing party and the court seven (7) days prior to the status hearing.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Expert witness disclosure

Expert witnesses must be disclosed by the pretrial conference, to the extent CR 26 requires.

Expert witnesses shall be disclosed at or before the pretrial conference to the extent required by CR 26.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Brief or statement of points and authorities

All motions for summary judgment must include briefs or statements of points and authorities.

Briefs, or statements of points and authorities, shall be mandatory with respect to all motions for summary judgment.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Contested domestic relations trial

A contested domestic relations matter may not be set for trial without proof that mediation proceedings have commenced.

No contested domestic relations matter shall be set for trial without proof of commencement of mediation proceedings.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Tax returns

Complete tax returns for the past two calendar years, with all schedules and W-2s, must be provided.

2. Tax Returns. Complete tax returns for the past two calendar years together with all schedules and W-2’s;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Registry application

Applicants must submit a signed application, Code of Conduct, and Release of Information on Department forms, with all requested items completed and attached.

The applicant shall submit their signed application, Code of Conduct and Release of Information on the forms provided by the Department of Court Services. All requested items must be filled out and attached with the application when submitted.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Parenting plan and child support documents

When child support or a minor child’s residential care is at issue and no party is represented, the parenting plan and child-support documents must first be reviewed, approved, and initialed by the court Facilitator.

In any action in which child support or residential care of a minor child or children is an issue and in which none of the parties are represented by counsel, the parenting plan and child support documents shall first be reviewed, approved, and initialed by the court Facilitator.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Property tracing summary

A summary of the source and tracing must be provided for property claimed as either party’s separate property or obligation.

A summary of the source and tracing of any property asserted to be the separate property or obligation of either party;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Order

An order authorizing disbursal of county funds must provide for reimbursement if the estate obtains sufficient assets within a reasonable period.

The order authorizing disbursal of county funds shall provide that those fees shall be reimbursed to the county in the event the estate obtains, within a reasonable period of time, sufficient assets.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Cover instruction

Plaintiff’s counsel must prepare and present a cover instruction containing the proceeding title and file number, each party’s designated attorney name, blank space for the judge’s name, and the title “Instructions of the Court.”

Plaintiff's counsel shall prepare and present to the court a cover instruction containing the title and file number of proceedings, the name of the attorney for each party properly designated, and appropriate blank space where the name of the judge hearing the case can be inserted, and entitled "Instructions of the Court."

CRITICAL

Applies to

Jury size stipulation

The parties may stipulate to a jury of three to eleven; counsel must call the stipulation to the judge’s attention when trial is called, and a written stipulation must be filed while an oral one must be noted in the minutes.

The parties may stipulate that the jury shall consist of any number of persons less than twelve but not less than three. Counsel shall call the stipulation to the attention of the Judge when the case is called for trial. The stipulation, if in writing, shall be filed in the cause; if oral, it shall be noted by the clerk in the minutes of the trial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

All documents

When cases are consolidated for trial only, submit an original of each document for every consolidated case file.

When two or more cases are consolidated for trial only, all documents shall be submitted with an original for each file so consolidated.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Statement of arresting officer

An arresting officer’s certification statement using an electronic signature must contain substantially the specified perjury certification, date-and-place line, and signature line.

The certification statement provided by the arresting officer utilizing an electronic signature shall contain substantially the following language: I certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the state of Washington that all statements made herein are true and accurate and that I am entering my authorized user ID and password to authenticate it. ______________________________ Date and Place of Signing _______________________________ Signature

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion to shorten time

Must include

proposed order

The court file, motion, supporting declaration or affidavit, and proposed order must be presented to the judicial officer considering the request.

The court file must be presented along with the motion to shorten time, declaration or affidavit, and the proposed order to the judicial officer considering the request.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Dissolution decree

A dissolution decree may not be entered until it disposes of all issues within the court’s jurisdiction, including custody, visitation, and child support.

No decree of dissolution shall be entered unless the decree disposes of all issues over which the court has jurisdiction, including child custody, visitation and child support

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation results report

The mediator must advise the court of mediation results in writing and report only whether agreement was reached on some or all issues.

The court shall be advised by the mediator of the results of mediation in writing. The mediator shall advise the court only whether an agreement has been reached on some or all of the issues.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice for trial setting

Must include

case number

A party seeking trial of an issue of fact must file a notice for trial setting with the Clerk containing the listed case, counsel, scheduling, readiness, and discovery information.

Any party desiring to bring any issue of fact to trial shall file with the Clerk a notice for trial setting which shall contain: 1. The title of the court; 2. The Clerk’s file number; 3. A brief title of the case; 4. The names of the attorneys representing each party; 5. The nature of the case; 6. An estimate of the time that will be required for hearing said case; 7. Whether the case is to be tried by the court or jury; 8. Dates on which counsel is unavailable; 9. A statement that the issue of fact has actually been joined and that no affirmative pleading remains unanswered and all pleadings are on file; 10. That the parties have completed all necessary discovery, or that they will have an opportunity to complete all necessary discovery prior to the date the case is set for trial; and 11. That the case is in all respects at issue and ready for trial.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Verdict form

Each verdict form and special interrogatory must have the proceeding’s title and cause number, and each verdict form must place a date line on the presiding juror’s signature line.

C. Verdict Forms. Each verdict form shall be headed with title and cause number of the proceeding. This shall also apply to special interrogatories. A date line shall be included on the same line as the signature for the presiding juror.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Response

A responding party must file a written response and provide copies to all other parties and the court.

C. Notice. A copy of the motion and all supporting documents shall be provided to all other parties to the proceedings at the time of filing. The responding party shall have five (5) judicial days from the receipt of the motion to file a written response with the Clerk and provide copies to all other parties and to the court.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Mediation agreement

Agreements reached at mediation must be put in writing and signed by the parties.

All agreements reached at mediation shall be reduced to writing and signed by the parties.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

Every motion must be supported by an affidavit or declaration.

All motions shall be supported by affidavit or declaration, and the affidavit or declaration shall be served with the motion.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Needs abilities statement

If spousal maintenance or attorney’s fees are at issue, each party must file and serve a statement listing income, assets, retirement benefits, living expenses, specified debt information, and needs-and-abilities information, signed under penalty of perjury.

If spousal maintenance or attorney’s fees are at issue, each party shall file and serve a statement containing a list of all income and assets, including any retirement benefits, together with a list of current monthly living expenses. The information regarding liabilities shall indicate the total amount owed as of the date of separation, the amount the party has paid on the debts since the separation, and the monthly payment on the debt. The statement shall also include information concerning the needs and abilities of the party, including age, education, training, work experience, and mental and physical health. This statement of assets, liabilities, needs, and abilities shall be signed by the party under penalty of perjury.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Affidavit

An affidavit supporting a motion for county-paid fees must state the alleged incapacitated person's financial position, including the listed financial information.

The affidavit in support of a motion for county paid fees shall set forth the financial position of the alleged incapacitated person, including assets, potential causes of action, monthly income and monthly expenses.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion for revision

A motion for revision must identify each claimed error and related court-file document, include supporting argument and legal authorities, and include a copy of the order being challenged.

D. Form and Scope of Motion. The motion for revision shall specify each claimed error and identify each document in the court file related to the issues raised and include argument and legal authorities in support thereof. The motion shall be accompanied by a copy of the order for which revision is sought, along with copies

CRITICAL

Applies to

Notice for trial setting

A case stricken or continued after being set for trial must be noted for resetting; it will not reset automatically unless the court sets a later trial date at that time with all parties’ approval.

Cases which have been set for trial and then stricken or continued for any reason will not automatically be reset. The stricken or continued cases must be noted for resetting as provided above, unless at the time of striking or continuing the case the court sets a later trial date with the approval of all parties to the case.

CRITICAL

Applies to

Pay stubs

All pay stubs showing income for the past six months or since January 1 of the calendar year, whichever period is greater, must be provided.

4. Pay Stubs. All pay stubs showing income for the past 6 months or since January 1 of the calendar year, whichever period is greater;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Motion

The moving party must serve and file a memorandum of authorities when filing the motion.

At the time of filing the motion, the moving party shall serve and file a memorandum of authorities

CRITICAL

Applies to

Debt statements

Copies of the most recent balance statements for the listed debts and accounts owed by or to the parties must be provided.

5. Debts. A copy of the most recent statements of balances due on mortgages, real estate purchase contracts, deeds of trust, installment purchase contracts, credit cards and other time payment accounts owed by or to the parties;

CRITICAL

Applies to

Vehicle appraisals

A verified extract or copy of the most recent N.A.D.A. Official Used Car Guide or another appraisal guide showing average loan or wholesale and retail values must be provided for any automobiles.

8. Vehicles. A verified extract or copy of the most recent N.A.D.A. Official Used Car Guide or other appraisal guide showing both average loan or wholesale and retail values for any automobiles;