LFLR 4. Case Schedule and Order Setting Financial Restraints

In accordance with GR 7, the King County Superior Court has adopted emergency changes to LFLR 4. The changes can be found here: Local Family Law Rule 4: Case Schedule Order and Other Orders Issued at Time of Filing

    (a) Case Schedule. At the time a family law petition is filed, the clerk shall issue a case schedule. The case schedule contains a list of mandatory deadlines. Failure to comply with the case schedule may result in sanctions or dismissal.
    (b) Service of Case Schedule. The petitioner must serve a copy of the case schedule on the other party, along with the summons and petition and other documents required by this rule.
    (c) Confirmation of Issues. For all cases except parentage cases, the parties shall jointly file the Confirmation of Issues local form by the deadline listed in the case schedule.    
    (d) Parentage Cases; Confirmation of Completion of Genetic Testing; Form.  The Confirmation of Completion of Genetic Testing local form shall be filed by the petitioner by the deadline listed in the Case Schedule. The form shall be available through the Clerk’s Office and website: https://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/clerk/forms.aspx.
     (e) Status Conference; When parties are required to appear.
            (1) Parentage Cases.  Personal appearance at Status Conference is required in parentage cases when the confirmation of completion of genetic testing form has not been filed by the deadline; or that form states that testing is necessary and has not been completed.
            (2) All other family law cases. Personal appearance at status conference is required in all other family law cases when the confirmation of issues form has not been signed by both parties or has not been filed by the deadline; or when that form states that mandatory pleadings have not been filed and served.
     (f) Change of Trial Date and Amendment of Case Schedule. The court, either on its own initiative or on motion of a party, may issue an amended case schedule. A motion to change trial date, even by agreement, must comply with LCR 40(e).
     (g) Completion of Discovery. All discovery must be completed no later than 28 days before the trial date in parentage cases and no later than 35 days in all other family law proceedings in accordance with the provisions of LCR 37(g).
     (h) Automatic Temporary Order Setting Financial Restraints. When a dissolution, legal separation or invalidity case is filed, the court, on its own motion, shall issue an automatic temporary order. The temporary order shall be in a form approved by the UFC/Family Law Committee. A copy of the order shall be available on the Clerk’s website: https://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/clerk/forms.aspx.
          (1) The petitioner shall serve a copy of the order on the respondent. Respondents are subject to the order from the time they are served. Petitioners are subject to the order from the date of filing.
          (2) The order shall remain in place until further order of the court or entry of final orders in the case.
          (3) If the order is violated, either party may seek a finding of contempt and/or requests fees.

[Adopted effective September 1, 2004; amended effective September 1, 2007; September 1, 2008; September 1, 2018.]