Ex Parte & Probate Department
Ex Parte is a special department of Superior Court assigned responsibility, under Local Court Rules, for certain short matters and emergency or unopposed orders.
Please Note: King County Superior Court requires that certain ex parte matters be presented through the Clerk’s Office in writing, without oral argument. Please review the Ex Parte Motions and Hearings Manual, available on the Clerk’s Office Website, for specific information on related procedures.
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516 3rd Avenue
Courtroom W-325
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 477-2517
Email: SCExParte@kingcounty.gov
HOURS: M-F: 9:00am-noon & 1:30-4:15pm
401 Fourth Ave. N
Courtroom 1J
Kent, WA 98032
Phone: (206) 477-2517
Email: SCExParte@kingcounty.gov
HOURS: M-F: 9:00am-noon & 1:30-4:15pm
Inquiries regarding Ex Parte via the Clerk can be directed to 206-477-0848 (Seattle) or 206-477-3047 (Kent). Additional information may be found online on the Clerk's Ex Parte via the Clerk webpage.
Calendar Schedules
| Calendar | Time |
|---|---|
| Evictions | 9:00am |
| Motions | 9:00am |
| Guardianships/Probate | 10:30am |
| Adoptions (Seattle) | 9:00am and 1:30pm |
| Adoptions (Kent) | 1:30pm |
| Non-Attorney Dissolutions | 1:30pm |
| Walk-Ins | 9:00am - 12pm and 1:30 - 3:45pm |
Useful Links
- Vulnerable Adult Protection Orders
- Evictions/Unlawful Detainer actions
- Guardianships and Trusts
- Minor or Incapacitated Adult Settlements
- Probate/trusts
- Orders setting hearings
- Requests for emergency temporary domestic violence, anti-harassment, and sexual assault protection orders.
- Requests for emergency temporary restraining orders, obtain a return/injunction hearing date and time from assigned judge's bailiff or if no assigned judge, from Chief Civil before presenting the TRO to Ex Parte.
- Adoptions
- Most types of agreed and default orders, except as provided otherwise by rule. Those orders that may be presented without notice and a hearing such as agreed orders, default orders, and orders to schedule a hearing, may be presented on a walk-in basis to either court (Seattle or Kent) or upon payment of a fee through the clerk's mail-in process.
- Those matters that require notice to another party and all matters listed under Local Rule 98.16; 98.04 and 98.20 to be scheduled for hearing must be presented in person, except motions for reconsideration or except as the court orders otherwise. See the King County Local Rules for further information.
If you are the moving party and are striking a motion, please call or email the Ex Parte Coordinator at 206-477-2517 or SCExParte@kingcounty.gov and provide the cause number, case name, date and time of hearing, and whether you are re-noting the matter and would like working papers to be moved. Please note, the matter will still appear on the Court Calendar and it is the striking party’s responsibility to notify the other parties.
Call or email the Ex Parte Coordinator at 206-477-2517 or SCExParte@kingcounty.gov and provide the cause number, case name, date and time of hearing, the name and phone number of the requesting party, and a brief reason for the request.
You may submit working copies electronically through the Clerk's Office e-filing application, deliver them to the judge’s mailroom, or deliver them directly to the Ex Parte Department.
Links to forms, procedures, local rules and lawyer referral services can be found online at:
The Guardianship Delinquency and Probate Review Calendars are heard:
- Seattle: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1:30 PM in Courtroom W-325, Courtroom 1
- Kent: Wednesdays at 1:30 PM in Courtroom 1J
Guardians are strongly encouraged to use the form templates and instructions provided by the King County Superior Court. Guardianship forms should be completed in their entirety prior to your hearing. Incomplete forms will cause delays and may possibly result in the need to reschedule your hearing.
- Download Forms
- Download Instructions
- View Guardianship Laws (Revised Code of Washington)
You may also be able to complete the required steps without attending the scheduled hearing.
Contact the Ex Parte Department Coordinator at (206) 477-2517 or by sending an email to SCExpParte@kingcounty.gov for more information about the Guardianship Delinquency and Probate Review Calendar.
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Governing statutes are found in RCW 2.56, RCW 11.88, RCW 13.34, RCW 26.12, SPR 98.16W
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King County Superior Court Guardian Ad Litem Grievance Procedure
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King County Superior Court Guardian Ad Litem Grievance Form (Mandatory)
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Applying for the King County Superior Court Guardian Ad Litem Registries
A guardian ad litem (GAL) is an adult who is appointed by the court to represent the best interests of an individual for a specific purpose for a specific period of time. Under the direction of the court, a GAL performs an investigation and prepares a report for the court of the GAL's findings and recommendations. A GAL is an officer of the court and must maintain independence, conduct herself or himself professionally, avoid conflicts of interest, treat parties with respect, become informed about the case, timely inform the court of relevant information, limit duties to those ordered by the court, inform individuals about her or his role in the case, maintain the parties' privacy, perform duties in a timely manner, maintain documentation, and keep records of time and expenses.
To become a GAL, an individual must complete an approved training program, provide background information to the court(s) in which the GAL wishes to serve, and meet all eligibility requirements set by local court rule or policy.
2019 Guardian Ad Litem Registries
ATTENTION: The King County Superior Court Guardian Ad Litem Registries are posted for informational purposes only. Please note, when the need arises for the appointment of a Guardian ad Litem in a case involving a subject area for which there is a registry, the Court shall appoint a person from the registry on a rotational basis. In exceptional circumstances where the Court finds a need for specialized skills or training, the Court may appoint a GAL out of rotational order or may appoint a person not listed on the registry. The Court must make written findings supporting such an appointment.
Other Forms and Information
Guardian Ad Litem Program Manager
Nadia Simpson
Links to a variety of assistance programs are available on the 'Don't Have an Attorney?' webpage.
The King County Courthouse (Seattle) 3rd Avenue entrance is closed due to construction. It will remain closed through July 26. Please use the 4th Avenue entrance on the west side of 4th Avenue. Visitors can also use the King County Administration Building to enter the courthouse. Enter the Admin Building on 4th Avenue or 5th Avenue and take the elevator to "T" Tunnel.