Ferry/Pend Oreille/Stevens Local Rules

Ferry/Pend Oreille/Stevens — Local Court Rules

sha256 e6b658d4146ec5e3b494b226123215a3… · retrieved 7/17/2026, 2:25:39 PM · courts.wa.gov local-rules publication — the court's own book; GR 7(d): the clerk maintains the official set, the web copy is the judiciary's convenience publication · awaiting human verification flip (text is verbatim; the flip is the review gate)

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LOCAL RULES FOR THE SUPERIOR COURTS
OF FERRY, PEND OREILLE AND
STEVENS COUNTIES
Effective date: September 1, 2025
Table of Rules
LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE RULES
(Cite as LAR)
LAR 1. 	Departments of Court
LAR 2. 	Court Schedule - Motions
LAR 3. 	Court Organization and Management
LAR 4. 	Juvenile Court and Family Law Department
LAR 5. 	Civil Revision
LOCAL CIVIL RULES
(Cite as LCR)
1. 	COMMENCEMENT OF ACTION; SERVICE OF PROCESS, PLEADINGS,
MOTIONS AND ORDERS
LCR 1. 	Hole-Punching
LCR 5. 	Service and Filing of Pleadings and Other Papers
LCR 6. 	Time
2. 	PLEADINGS AND MOTIONS
LCR 10. 	Form of Pleadings and Other Papers
LCR 16. 	Pretrial Procedures and Formulating Issues
6. TRIALS
LCR 40. 	Assignment of Cases
LCR 43. 	Taking of Testimony
LCR 47. 	Jurors
LCR 49. 	Verdicts
LCR 51. 	Instructions to Jury and Deliberation
LCR 52. 	Decisions, Findings and Conclusions
7. JUDGMENT
LCR 54. 	Judgments and Costs
LCR 56. 	Summary Judgment

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8. 	PROVISIONAL AND FINAL REMEDIES
LCR 69. 	Execution
10. SUPERIOR COURTS AND CLERKS
LCR 77. 	Superior Courts and Judicial Officers
LCR 79. 	Books and Records Kept by the Clerk
LCR 80. 	Reporting of Court Proceedings
12. SPECIAL MATTERS
LCR 93.04. 	Limitations on Declarations
LCR 94.04. 	Domestic Relations Actions
LCR 95.04. 	Mandatory Parent Education Workshop (rescinded)
LCR 99. 	Local Rules of Superior Court (rescinded)
LCR 100. 	Appeals from Small Claims Court
LOCAL CRIMINAL RULES
(Cite as LCrR)
LCrR 3.1. 	Arraignment, Trial and Other Hearings
LCrR 3.4 	Presence of the Defendant
LCrR 4.2 	Superior Court Commissioner – Authority in Adult Criminal Cases
LCrR 6.1. 	Trial by Jury (rescinded)
LOCAL JUVENILE COURT RULES
(Cite as LJuCR)
LJuCR 2.5. 	Amendment of Shelter Care Order
LJuCR 3.8. 	Disposition Hearings
LJuCR 3.9. 	Review Hearings (rescinded)
LOCAL GUARDIAN AD LITEM GRIEVANCE RULES
(Cite as LRGAL)
LRGAL 1. 	Guardian ad Litem Complaint Review Committee
LRGAL 2. 	Submission of Complaints
LRGAL 3. 	Review of Complaint
LRGAL 4. 	Response and Findings
LRGAL 5. 	Confidentiality
LRGAL 6. 	Complaint Processing Time Standards
LRGAL 7. 	Sanctions
LRGAL 8. 	Request for Reconsideration by Guardian ad Litem.
LRGAL 9. 	Maintaining Records of Grievances
LRGAL 10. 	Unavailability of Presiding Judge

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LOCAL RULES FOR APPEAL OF DECISIONS
OF COURTS OF LIMITED JURISDICTION
(Cite as LRALJ)
LRALJ 3.1. 	Procedure
LOCAL ADMINISTRATIVE RULES (Cite as LAR)
LAR 1. 	DEPARTMENTS OF COURT
The Superior Courts of Stevens, Ferry and Pend Oreille Counties shall be divided into as
many departments as there are judges authorized by law. The departments shall be
numbered consecutively in the order of the creation, as follows:
DEPARTMENT 	CREATED
No. 1 	June 13, 1860
No. 2 	April 13, 1982
No. 3 	June 11, 2020
[Adopted September 1, 1991; amended effective September 1, 2020.]
LAR 2. 	COURT SCHEDULE – MOTIONS
Motions and other pre-trial proceedings will be scheduled for hearing on a Law and
Motion Docket, unless by prior arrangement through the court administrator.
The calendar is posted on the Court’s website. Attorneys and parties are advised to
consult the calendar, the County Clerk, or the Court Administrator to confirm Law and
Motion Docket dates and times prior to noting a motion.
[Adopted September 1, 1991; amended effective September 1, 2023.]
LAR 3. 	COURT MANAGEMENT
(a) General Management. The general management of the court shall be vested
in the presiding judge under policy established by the judges at regular and
special meetings.
(b) Presiding Court Rotation. The presiding judge shall be selected, serve, and,
if necessary, be removed in accordance with GR 29. In the event of the lack
of a majority vote of the judges, the Supreme Court shall be requested to

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appoint a superior court judge from another jurisdiction to participate in the
decision.
(c) Duties of the Presiding Judge. The presiding judge’s responsibilities, duties
and authority shall be as provided in GR 29 as now or hereafter amended.
(d) Duties of the Court Administrator. The court administrator shall assist the
presiding judge in his or her administrative responsibilities. Subject to the
general supervision of the presiding judge, the court administrator’s duties
shall include:
(1) Administrative control of all non-judicial activities of the court;
(2) Case setting and trial calendar management;
(3) Preparation and administration of the budget;
(4) Coordination with state Administrative Office of the Courts;
(5) Assisting the presiding judge in dealing with county governments, bar
associations, news media and other public and private groups having a
reasonable interest in the administration of the court;
(6) Preparation of such reports and compilation of such statistics as may be
required by the judges or state Administrative Office of the Courts;
(7) Making recommendations to the judges for the improvement of the
administration of the court.
[Adopted September 1, 1991; amended effective September 1, 2004.]
LAR 4. 	JUVENILE COURT AND FAMILY LAW DEPARTMENT
Juvenile Department. There shall be a juvenile department of the court, in which all
matters under juvenile court laws shall be heard. All judges are designated as judges of
the juvenile and family courts. Each court commissioner of each of the three counties is
authorized to hear juvenile cases and family law cases in his or her respective county in
these departments as assigned by the presiding judge. “Judge” shall be synonymous with
“commissioner,” and both shall be synonymous with “judicial officer” unless the context
requires otherwise. See also LJuCRs below.
[Adopted September 1, 1991; amended effective September 1, 2023.]
LAR 5. 	CIVIL REVISION
(a) Revision by Motion and Notice. A revision motion filed by a party pursuant to
RCW 2.24.050 shall be filed and noted for hearing pursuant to the provisions
contained in applicable state and local court rules.
(b) At least seven (7) days prior to the hearing on the motion, the moving party shall
file a transcript of the oral ruling of the Court Commissioner. The moving party
shall obtain the transcript at their expense. A copy of the transcript shall, at least
seven (7) days prior to the hearing, also be served upon the other parties and

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furnished to the Judge who will hear the motion. A transcript will not be required
if the matter was decided by letter decision, if no oral decision was rendered, or
by order of the Court. The transcript shall be formatted in compliance with
applicable local and state court rules. The person preparing the transcript shall
comply with CR 35 and be listed on the transcriptionist list approved by the
Court.
[Adopted September 1, 2023.]
LOCAL CIVIL RULES
(Cite as LCR)
1. COMMENCEMENT OF ACTION
LCR 1. 	HOLE-PUNCHING
Any document or combination of documents presented to the Stevens County Superior
Court Clerk’s Office for filing in one or more cases which exceed fifty (50) pages in
length must be presented with two pre-punched normal-sized holes, centered 2 ½ inches
apart and 5/8 inches from the top of the paper. A two-hole punch will be available at the
Stevens County Superior Court Clerk’s Office counter.
[Adopted September 1, 2018.]
LCR 5. 	SERVICE AND FILING OF PLEADINGS AND OTHER PAPERS
(b)(2) Service by Mail, Facsimile or Email.
(A) By Mail. See CR 5(b)(2)(A) and (B).
(B) By Facsimile. Service by facsimile shall be allowed only under the
following conditions consistent with GR17:
(i) 	The party or 	of record to whom service is delivered has a publicly
available fax number or has given written consent to receive fax
service to the sending party or attorney;
(ii) 	The attorney or party sending the document via fax shall retain the
original signed document until 60 days after completion of the case.
Documents to be transmitted by fax shall bear the notation: "SENT
on (DATE) VIA FAX FOR FILING IN COURT.”
(iii) 	Documents transmitted by fax shall be letter size (8-1/2 by 11
inches). Documents over 10 pages in length may not be served by
fax without prior approval of the receiving party.

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(iv) 	Any document transmitted by fax must be accompanied by a fax
transmittal sheet in a form that includes the case number (if any),
case caption, number of pages, the sender's name, and the senders
voice and facsimile telephone numbers. Transmittal sheets are not
considered legal filings.
(v) 	A document transmitted directly to the receiving party shall be
deemed received at the time the receiving party’s fax machine
electronically registers the transmission of the first page, regardless
of when final printing of the document occurs, except that a
document received after the close of normal business hours shall be
considered received the next judicial day. If a document is not
completely transmitted, it will not be considered received. A
document transmitted to another for filing with the clerk of the court
will be deemed filed when presented to the clerk in the same manner
as an original document.
(vi) 	[Rescinded effective September 2, 2014.]
(vii) Facsimile Machine Not Required. Nothing in this rule shall require a
party, an attorney or a Clerk of a court to have a facsimile machine.
(C) By Email. Parties (or attorneys of record) may serve opposing parties by
email only if they have written consent from the receiving party. Working
copies may be emailed to the court as follows:
(i) Any document (except original actions and personal restraint petitions)
may be emailed as an attachment to an email message if:
a. The body of the email message to which the document is attached is
no more than 100 words and includes: case name, case number, name,
phone number, bar number and email address of the person sending
the document; and does not include prohibited ex parte
communications.
b. Any appendices attached to a brief, motion or pleading do not
exceed a total of 25 pages.
c. The attached document complies with the Civil Rules, except where
these protocols provide otherwise.
d. The attached document is subscribed with the name and bar number
of the sender and the original signed document is retained in the
sender's file.

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e. The email must be properly addressed to the email address provided
by the court administrator for each of the counties in the judicial
district.
f. The subject line must include “Working Copy for [Cause No.][Case
Name] for Hearing on [Date of Hearing] before [Name of Judge].
g. The date and time the email was sent must be evident on the
received email and show on any printout of that email.
h. The email must also be sent as a courtesy copy to any other party
that has an email address and has so requested by filing a Request for
Email Copies in substantially the following form: “[Party Name]
requests that all working copies emailed to the court under LCR5(b)(2)
also be emailed to the above at the following email address: [Email
Address].”
(ii) No signature is required on an attached document, if all protocols are followed.
(iii) The date and time the attachment to email is deemed received will be
no sooner than the date and time of actual filing of the document’s original
with the Clerk.
(iv) The use of PDF format or Microsoft WORD is encouraged, but not
required. If the conversion software used by the court is unable to convert
a document, the party submitting the document will be notified to submit
the document in written form.
(i) Documents Not to Be Filed. In addition to the discovery material specified in
CR 5(i), photocopies of reported cases, statutes or texts shall not be filed as an
appendix to a brief or otherwise, but may be furnished directly to the judge
hearing the matter; provided, any items submitted to the judge shall be provided
to opposing parties or counsel at the same time.
[Adopted September 1, 1991; amended effective September 1, 2004; rescinded effective September 2, 2014.]
LCR 6. 	TIME.
(d) Motions and Other Papers.
(1) Scope of Rules. Except when specifically provided in another rule, this
rule governs all motions in civil cases. See, for example, LCR 56 and
LCR 94.04.

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(2) Dates of Filing, Hearing and Consideration.
(A) Filing and Scheduling of Motion. The moving party shall serve and
file all motion papers no later than nine (9) court days (excluding
holidays and weekends) before the date the party wishes the motion
to be considered. A motion must be scheduled by a party for hearing
on an appropriate motion docket for the type of matter to be heard.
(B) Working Copies for Dispositive Motions. Working copies of all
dispositive motions, all accompanying documents, and all responsive
and reply papers shall be provided by the filing party to the judge, at
time of filing, at 215 South Oak, Room # 209, Colville, WA 99114,
regardless of the county in which the motion was filed.
(i) 	HARD COPIES: [Rescinded effective September 1, 2025.]
(ii) ELECTRONIC COPIES: [Rescinded effective September 1,
2025.]
(C) Opposing Papers. Any party opposing a motion shall file the
original responsive papers in opposition to a motion and serve copies
on parties no later than 10:00 a.m. four (4) court days (excluding
holidays and weekends) before the date the motion is to be heard.
(D) Reply. Any papers in strict reply shall be filed and copies served on
parties no later than 10:00 a.m. two (2) court days (excluding
holidays and weekends) before the date of the hearing.
(E) Confirmation of Hearing. [Rescinded effective September 1, 2023.]
(F) Sanctions. Any material offered at a time later than required by this
rule, and any reply material which is not in strict reply, will not be
considered by the Court over objection of counsel except upon the
imposition of appropriate sanctions, unless the Court orders
otherwise.
(f) Motions Shortening Time
(1) The time for notice and hearing of a motion may be shortened only for
good cause upon written application to the court in conformance with this
rule.
(2) A motion for order shortening time may not be incorporated into any other
pleading.

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(3) As soon as the moving party is aware that he or she will be seeking an
order shortening time, that party must contact the opposing party to give
notice in the form most likely to result in actual notice. The declaration in
support of the motion must indicate what efforts have been made to notify
the other side.
(4) Proposed agreed orders to shorten time: If the parties agree to a briefing
schedule on motion to be heard on shortened time, the order may be
presented by way of a proposed stipulated order, which may be granted,
denied or modified at the discretion of the court.
(5) The motion for order shortening time shall be heard prior to the
substantive motion related to the request.
(6) The court may deny or grant the motion and impose such conditions as the
court deems reasonable. All other rules pertaining to confirmation, notice
and working papers for the hearing on the motion for which time was
shortened remain in effect, except to the extent that they are specifically
dispensed with by the court.
(7) Time for notice and hearing of a motion shall not be shortened to less than
two court days’ notice.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2004; rescinded effective September 1, 2023; amended effective September 1, 2025.]
2. PLEADINGS AND MOTIONS
LCR 10. 	FORM OF PLEADINGS AND OTHER PAPERS
(d) Format Requirements.
(1) Any item filed with the court clerk that is not a document shall be treated
as an exhibit. Compact discs, digital video discs, audio tapes, thumb
drives and similar devices containing recorded information shall not be
attached to documents filed with the court clerk. In order to make such
recorded information part of the court’s record they must be transcribed, if
possible, and then filed as a document in paper format. In the event the
recorded information cannot be transcribed, the proponent of the recorded
information shall contact the Clerk’s Office four (4) court days before the
hearing to ensure appropriate arrangements are made for admission of the
recorded information. All exhibits filed with the court clerk are subject to
the exhibit retention schedule.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2019; amended effective September 1, 2022.]

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LCR 16. 	PRETRIAL PROCEDURES AND FORMULATING ISSUES
(a) Hearing Matters Considered. Upon the motion of a party or the court’s own
initiative, the presiding judge or, in the case of a preassigned case, the judge
so designated will decide whether any civil case would benefit from a pretrial
scheduling conference.
(b) Pretrial Order. The conference procedures and form of the pretrial order
shall be determined by the judge to whom the matter is assigned.
(c) Settlement Conference. Upon the motion of a party or the court’s own
initiative, the presiding judge or designated judge may order private mediation
or a mandatory settlement conference with respect to any civil case.
Any settlement conference ordered will be held before a designated settlement
judge at least thirty (30) days before the scheduled trial date. At least five (5)
court days before the settlement conference each party shall supply a
confidential position statement to the settlement judge. The statement shall
include:
(1) A general factual summary of the case;
(2) Disputed and admitted facts;
(3) A statement of legal issues, together with authorities; and
(4) A general position statement.
(5) In domestic relations cases, the party’s position, in precise terms,
concerning issues of:
(a) property,
(b) debts,
(c) maintenance,
(d) child support,
(e) parenting plan, and
(f) any other matters requiring resolution.
The attorneys who will be in charge of each party’s case shall attend the
settlement conference personally and shall come prepared to discuss in detail
and in good faith the issues of fact and law remaining, the evidence pertaining
to liability and damages, or, in a domestic relations case, the various
categories of issues subject to the court’s jurisdiction, and the respective
positions of the various parties on settlement. The attorneys shall be
accompanied by their clients or representatives possessing authority to settle
unless such clients or representatives are available by telephone or are
otherwise excused by the judge, or unless the attorney himself or herself has
full authority with respect to settlement.

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The proceedings of the settlement conference shall be privileged and not
recorded. If a settlement is not reached the settlement judge shall not make
any order or preside at the trial on the merits without consent of all parties.
(d) Pre-assignment to a Particular Judge. Upon written application of any
party with notice to the other parties, or on the court’s own motion, the
presiding judge may pre-assign cases involving complex issues and/or
extensive pretrial procedures to a particular judge for pretrial procedures and
trial. The burden of establishing the need for pre-assignment shall be on the
party or parties requesting the same. Pretrial conferences and hearings and
trial scheduling shall be arranged directly with the preassigned judge and the
court administrator.
(e) Methods.
(1) Summary Judgment. See LCR 56.
(2) Filing of Motions, Memoranda and Affidavits—General. See LCR 6(d)
for times for filing motions, responses and replies. The moving party shall
file with the Note for Hearing – Issue of Law form the following: The
motion being noted, all supporting affidavits and documentary evidence,
and a brief or memorandum of authorities, unless the legal position is fully
and adequately stated in the motion or issue of law form.
(3) Copies of Briefs or Memoranda. [Rescinded effective September 1, 2025.]
(4) Affidavits or Declarations. All affidavits or declarations shall be sworn or
affirmed under penalty of perjury, made on personal knowledge, set forth
such facts as would be admissible in evidence, and show affirmatively that
the affiant or declarant is competent to testify to the matters stated therein.
(5) Motion Calendar Hearing Procedures. The Law and Motion calendar
will commence at times designated on the Judicial District’s online court
calendar. Matters shall be noted for the particular time designated by the
court calendar. Agreed orders and defaults will be heard at the beginning
of the docket. Motions other than summary judgment shall be limited to
ten (10) minutes each side. Motions which will exceed the time limit of
this rule, if allowed by the motion judge, will ordinarily be placed at the
end of the motion docket.
(a) Striking a hearing. Any moving party may strike a previously
scheduled motion on two (2) days’ notice to the opposing party and the
Court. Notice may be served in any manner reasonably calculated to
provide actual notice to the other party. The party striking the hearing

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shall file the mandatory form located on the Court’s website. Failure to
provide timely notice may subject the moving party to terms.
(f) Change of Judge. In the event that a motion is scheduled for hearing before a
judge on a specified day and an affidavit of prejudice is filed against that
judge, the parties shall work with court administration to schedule a new
hearing date before a different judicial officer; provided, however, that
motions for summary judgment and any other motion which would be
dispositive of a claim of any party shall be heard only by a judge, except as
otherwise authorized under LAR 4.
[Adopted September 1, 1991; amended effective September 1, 2023; amended effective September 1, 2025.]
6. 	TRIALS
LCR 40. 	ASSIGNMENT OF CASES AND TRIAL EXHIBITS
(a) Note for Trial Setting and Certificate of Readiness. Any party desiring to
bring an issue of fact to trial shall serve and file a properly completed Note for
Trial Setting and Certificate of Readiness on the mandatory form available on
the Court’s website. Any party contending the case is not ready for trial, or
that the estimated length of trial is not correct, shall serve and file a counter
Note for Trial Setting and Certificate of Readiness or objection to trial setting
and notice of argument thereon within ten (10) days of the date of service of
the Note for Trial Setting and Certificate of Readiness, which objection shall
be noted for hearing pursuant to LCR 6 (d)(2)(A).
(g) Pre-Trial Organization of Exhibits and Admissibility Without
Authentication.
(1) The week prior to trial, all parties pro se and/or counsel shall provide a
copy of their likely exhibits to all parties and/or counsel. Parties and/or
counsel shall endeavor to agree on which exhibits are admissible.
(2) The parties and/or counsel shall prepare original separate exhibit binders
containing tabbed exhibits and an index of proposed exhibits. Sufficient
binders should be made for each attorney, the court, and the testifying
witness.
(3) Each proposed exhibit shall contain a label which indicates the case name,
case number, date of hearing, hearing type, and exhibit number.
(4) The parties shall arrive at least thirty (30) minutes prior to trial to assist the
clerk in numbering all exhibits.

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(6) The parties shall notify the court at the commencement of trial which
exhibits are agreed to. Those exhibits will be admitted without need for
authentication.
(h) Pre-Trial Status Conference. Once a case is set for trial, the parties shall
appear before the Court for a Pre-Trial Status Conference. If both parties fail to
appear for this hearing, the trial date will be stricken and parties will be required
to file a new Note for Trial Setting and Certificate of Readiness.
[Adopted September 1, 1991; amended effective September 1, 2023.]
LCR 43. 	TAKING OF TESTIMONY
(a) Testimony.
(3) Excusing Witnesses. A witness under subpoena is excused from further
attendance as soon as testimony has been given, unless either party makes
request in open court that the witness remain in attendance or be subject to
recall. Witness fees will not be allowed on subsequent days unless the
court has required the witness to remain in attendance, which fact shall be
noted by the clerk in the court.
(4) Remote Testimony. Witnesses may not testify remotely, except upon prior
court approval.
(e) Evidence on Motions.
(1) Generally. Motions for temporary support, attorney’s fees and costs,
restraining orders, injunctions, to dissolve injunctions and to quash or
dissolve attachments shall be heard only on the pleadings, affidavits or
declarations, published depositions and other papers filed, unless the court
otherwise directs.
[Adopted September 1, 1991; amended effective September 1, 2004; amended effective September 1, 2025.]
LCR 47. 	JURORS
(e) Challenge.
(9) Peremptory Challenges. The exercise or waiver of peremptory challenges
shall be noted silently.
(k) Statement of Case. Each party in a civil case shall submit a brief statement
of the case suitable to be read to the jury before the voir dire examination.
[Adopted September 1, 1991; amended effective September 1, 2004.]

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LCR 49. 	VERDICTS
(k) Receiving Verdict During Absence of Counsel. A party or attorney desiring
to be present at the return of the verdict must remain in attendance at the
courthouse or be available by telephone call. If a party or attorney fails to
appear within 20 minutes of telephone notice to the attorney’s office, home or
other number, the court may proceed to take the verdict in the absence of such
party or attorney. In such case the jury shall be individually polled and the
identity of any dissenting jurors recorded.
[Adopted effective September 1, 1991.]
LCR 51. 	INSTRUCTIONS TO JURY AND DELIBERATION
(b) Submission. Each party shall file with the Clerk the original proposed
instructions, numbered and with citations, and shall provide the judge with
one copy numbered and with citations and one copy unnumbered and without
citations. One copy, numbered and with citations, shall be served on each
other party.
[Adopted September 1, 1991; amended effective September 1, 2004.]
LCR 52. 	DECISIONS, FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS
(a) Requirements.
(6) Time. Unless the judge has included formal findings of fact and
conclusions of law in a written opinion or memorandum of decision
pursuant to CR 52(a)(4) or they are otherwise unnecessary by reason of
CR 52(a)(5), the attorney of record for the prevailing party shall prepare
proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, along with the proposed
form of decree, order or judgment as required by CR 54(e). At the time of
the decision the court shall enter an order fixing a date by which the
proposed findings, conclusions and decree, order or judgment shall be
prepared and served and establishing a date of presentation.
[Adopted September 1, 1991; amended effective September 1, 2004.]
7. JUDGMENT
LCR 54. 	JUDGMENTS AND COSTS
(f) Presentation Methods.
(3) Presentment of an order by the Clerk with payment of fee. Counsel
presenting a judgment or seeking entry of an order shall be responsible to

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see that all papers pertaining thereto are filed and that the court file is
provided to the judge by the Clerk. Counsel may present routine ex parte
or stipulated matters based on the record in the file by mail addressed to
the Clerk. Self-addressed, stamped envelopes shall be provided for return
of any conformed materials and/or rejected orders, and the appropriate ex
parte fee shall be submitted prior to presentation.
(4) Ex Parte Docket. Alternatively, parties may appear on the ex parte docket
which is held according to the schedule on the Judicial District’s online
calendar. A party shall contact the Stevens County Superior Court Clerk at
least two (2) hours prior to the commencement of the docket to reserve a
five (5) minute time slot. Parties shall provide copies of any documents
they wish to present or have considered at the hearing when they reserve
their time slot. Arrangements to appear on the ex parte docket, and the
submission of documents, may be accomplished by sending an e-mail to
exparte@stevenscountywa.gov. Unless otherwise provided by statute or
court rule, only uncontested matters shall be heard on this docket.
[Adopted September 1, 1991; amended effective September 1, 2023.]
LCR 56. 	SUMMARY JUDGMENT
(c) Motion and Proceedings. In the event a motion for summary judgment,
partial summary judgment or dismissal is to be argued, counsel for the moving party is
required to confirm the motion with the court administrator by telephone by 4:30 p.m. at
least four (4) court days before the hearing. Working copies of the motions, all
accompanying documents, and all responsive and reply papers, shall be provided by the
respective parties to the judge at the time of filing at 215 South Oak, #209, Colville, WA
99114, regardless of the county in which the motion is filed.
[Adopted September 1, 1991; amended effective September 1, 2004.]
8. PROVISIONAL AND FINAL REMEDIES
LCR 69. 	EXECUTION
(a) Procedure – Delinquent Support. No writ of execution or attachment shall
be issued for the collection of delinquent child support or spousal
maintenance until a judgment determining the amount due has been entered.
(b) Supplemental Proceedings. In all supplemental proceedings wherein a show
cause order is issued requiring the personal attendance of the party to be
examined in open court and in orders to show cause in re contempt, the order
to show cause must include the following words in capital letters:

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YOUR FAILURE TO APPEAR AS SET FORTH AT THE TIME, DATE
AND PLACE SET FORTH IN THIS ORDER MAY CAUSE THE
COURT TO ISSUE A BENCH WARRANT FOR YOUR
APPEHENSION AND CONFINEMENT IN JAIL UNTIL SUCH TIME
AS THE MATTER CAN BE HEARD, UNLESS BAIL IS FURNISHED
AS PROVIDED IN SUCH WARRANT.
The failure to include such wording will be grounds for the court to refuse to
issue a bench warrant for the apprehension of such person.
[Adopted effective September 1, 1991.]
10. SUPERIOR COURTS AND CLERKS
LCR 77. 	SUPERIOR COURTS AND JUDICIAL OFFICERS
(o) Conference Calls. Motions or other matters may not, without the advance
approval of the court, be heard by conference call. The specific time shall be
arranged with the court administrator. Conference calls are discouraged for
Law and Motion Docket days. Conference calls will be recorded only at the
request of either party made to the court administrator at the time of
scheduling the call.
(p) Trial Status. [Rescinded effective September 1, 2022.]
[Adopted September 1, 1991; rescinded effective September 1, 2022.]
LCR 79. 	BOOKS AND RECORDS KEPT BY THE CLERK
(g) Other Books and Records of Clerk.
(1) Exhibits. Exhibits shall be kept separately from the court file. Any
inspection of an exhibit must be in the presence of the clerk or a deputy
clerk unless authorized by a court order.
(2) Rejection of Unsuitable Materials. The Clerk shall not accept for filing in
the court file material which should be filed as an exhibit or other
materials not to be included by reason of CR 5(i) and LCR 5(i). When the
Clerk is uncertain as to whether material is suitable for filing, he or she
shall seek the advice of the presiding judge before filing the same.
(3) Return of Contraband Exhibits. When contraband, alcoholic beverages,
tobacco products, controlled substances or fish or wildlife parts are being
held by the Clerk as part of the records and files in any criminal case, and
all proceedings in the case have been completed, the court may order the

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Clerk to deliver such contraband or substances to an authorized
representative of the law enforcement agency initiating the prosecution for
disposition according to law. The Clerk shall then deliver the contraband
and take from the law enforcement agency a receipt which shall be filed in
the case. 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.
(4) Return of Administrative Record on Appeal. When a case for review of an
administrative record is finally completed, the Clerk shall treat the
administrative record as an exhibit. The Clerk shall return the
administrative record to the officer or agency certifying the same to the
Court.
(h) At the discretion of the Clerk, a file may be removed from the courthouse by a
resident attorney, a representative of a title company with proper
authorization, or a judicial officer. Authorization for an attorney to remove a
file from the courthouse may be given in writing by the Clerk or Clerk’s
deputy and shall not exceed two (2) court days. Files may be withdrawn to be
taken to a courtroom by the following persons: judicial officers, deputy
clerks, bailiffs, the court administrator or his/her staff, and resident attorneys.
In instances of mail or telephonic requests by non-resident attorneys, the file
will be mailed by certified mail to the Clerk of the county where such
applicant attorney is a resident. All costs of mailing shall be borne by the
applicant attorney. All files so withdrawn must be returned to the Clerk’s
office within the period specified by the Clerk, but in no event will this period
exceed two (2) court days. The court may, upon written application showing
cause therefor, authorize the withdrawal of specified Clerk’s files for a period
in excess of two (2) court days.
Any person found in violation of the provisions of this rule shall be subject to
sanctions as ordered by the court.
[Adopted September 1, 1991; amended effective September 1, 2004.]
LCR 80. 	REPORTING OF COURT PROCEEDINGS
(c) General Reporting Requirements.
(1) Electronic Recording. All proceedings required to be on the record shall
be recorded by electronic recording or court reporter pursuant to CR 80.
The original court record shall be kept by the clerk of the court.
(2) Oral Decision. Oral decisions or rulings by a judge which are transcribed
shall first be submitted to the judge for review prior to delivery and a final
copy shall be furnished to the judge for his/her file.

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(3) Transcripts. With the exception of transcripts provided under RALJ 6.3A,
the official transcript or verbatim report of proceedings of any matters
shall be prepared by or under the direction of the court administrator.
Anyone wishing to order an official transcript or verbatim report of
proceedings shall make such request to the court administrator and shall at
the same time make arrangements for payment thereof. With the
exception of RALJ appeal matters, transcripts or verbatim reports of
proceedings not obtained through the court administrator are subject to
being stricken from the record upon the request of any party or on the
court’s own motion.
[Adopted September 1, 1991; amended effective September 1, 2022.]
12. SPECIAL MATTERS
LCR 93.04. 	LIMITATIONS ON DECLARATIONS
(a) Application.
This rule shall apply to all family law motions, motions in paternity actions
and actions to establish residential schedule, and domestic violence and anti-
harassment hearings.
(b) Formats.
(1) All motions and pleadings in support thereof, shall use mandatory forms
where applicable, follow the format required by GR 14, and meet the
requirements of GR 31.
(2) All declarations shall contain information that provides the court with
foundational information such as the name of the declarant, relationship
to one or both of the parties, age, education, city and state of residence,
and occupation. This information shall be provided in summary fashion
at the beginning of each declaration.
(3) All filed documents shall be legible. If typed or computer printed,
documents shall be in 11 point or larger type and double-spaced.
(c) Page limitations.
All exhibits attached to any declaration or affidavit shall be counted toward
the page limit. Absent prior authorization from the court, the entirety of all
declarations and affidavits from the parties and any non-expert witnesses in
support of motions, including any reply, shall be limited to a total of 25 pages.
The entirety of all declarations and affidavits submitted in response to motions
shall be limited to a sum total of 20 pages. If more than one motion is to be

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heard at the same time, the page limits apply to the entire hearing, not each
individual motion.
This rule shall be qualified as follows:
(1) Expert Reports and Evaluations. Declarations, affidavits, and reports from
Guardians ad litem and similar expert witnesses shall not count toward the
above page limit.
(2) Financial declarations. The above page limits shall not apply to basic
pleadings and financial declarations. Financial declarations, including all
exhibits, shall be limited to 25 pages.
(d) 	Children's Statements.
Unless prior permission of the court is obtained, the parties shall not submit
declarations by minors.
(e) 	Non-Compliance.
The court may, in its discretion, assess terms and/or sanctions, including
refusing to consider those materials that violate this rule.
(f) 	Motion to Exceed Page Limits.
Motions to exceed page limits must be in writing, with notice to the opposing
party, and may be presented on an ex parte basis consistent with LCR 54(f)
to be heard without oral argument.
[Adopted September 1, 2017; amended effective September 1, 2020; amended effective September 1, 2025.]
LCR 	94.04 	DOMESTIC RELATIONS ACTIONS.
(a) Preliminary and Temporary Orders.
(1) Affidavit or Declaration of Financial Affairs. A party applying for
temporary support, maintenance, debt or income-producing property
allocation, attorney’s fees or other financial relief pending trial must serve
and file with his or her motion an affidavit or declaration under penalty of
perjury respecting financial affairs. The responding party, if contesting
the motion, shall likewise submit such an affidavit or declaration which
shall be served and filed. The notice of hearing or show cause order shall
notify the responding party of this requirement.
(b) 	Ex Parte Hearing. Orders and Decrees which have been approved by all
parties or their counsel may be presented for signature before the judge
assigned to hear ex parte matters. The attorney or party shall request that
the clerk present the original court file to the ex parte judge at the time of
presentment, together with the proposed findings of fact, conclusions of

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law and decree. Presentment of such agreed decrees may be by mail to the
Clerk of the Court. The appropriate ex parte fee and return postage paid
and pre-addressed envelopes for any conformed copies shall be submitted
prior to presentation. Parties may also utilize LCR 54(f)(4) in order to
present agreed orders that fall within the scope of this rule.
(c) 	Automatic Temporary Orders. Upon the filing of all actions filed under
RCW 26 and Article Two of RCW 11.130, except adoptions under RCW
26.33, the Court, on its own motion, automatically issues a temporary
order.
(1) 	The Court’s automatic temporary order will not be entered in any
law enforcement database.
(2) 	This rule does not preclude any party from seeking any other
restraining order(s) as may be authorized by law.
[Adopted September 1, 1991; amended effective September 1, 2023; amended effective September 1, 2025.]
LCR 95.04 MANDATORY PARENT EDUCATION WORKSHOP
[Adopted effective September 1, 1999; rescinded effective September 1, 2021.]
LCR 99. 	LOCAL RULES OF SUPERIOR COURT
[Rescinded September 1, 2020.]
LCR 100. 	APPEALS FROM SMALL CLAIMS COURT
(c) Local Practice:
(1) Scheduling:
(A) Once the District Court transcript of proceedings is filed with the
Superior Court, the Superior Court Clerk shall forward the file to the
Superior Court Administrator for preparation of an Appeal
Scheduling Notice.
(B) The Court Administrator will schedule the trial de novo on the record
ninety (90) days from the date the appeal is filed in Superior Court.
(C) Parties are encouraged, but not required, to submit briefing to assist
the Court in the event of a unique or complex legal issue. The parties
shall not present any new information or argument in their briefs that
was not presented to the District Court.

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(D) The Court Administrator shall set deadlines in the Appeal Scheduling
Notice for filing and serving any briefs the parties choose to submit as
follows:
1. Appellant’s Brief 	30 days after Superior Court filing
2. Respondent’s Brief 	30 days after receipt of Appellant’s brief
3. Reply Brief 	15 days after receipt of Respondent’s brief
(E) Upon the Administrator’s completion and filing of the Appeal
Scheduling Notice, the Administrator shall immediately mail copies
of the notice to all parties involved in the appeal, and shall note the
dates scheduled in the notice on the court’s docket.
(2) Briefs:
The original copy of any brief shall be filed with the Clerk of the Superior
Court, and copies shall be served on the opposing party by personal
delivery or regular mail. In addition, one copy of each brief shall be
provided to the Superior Court Administrator for delivery to the judge.
This copy may be provided by a PDF or MS Word attachment and shall be
submitted pursuant to LCR(6)(d)(2)(B)(i) and (ii).
(3) Trial Procedures:
Prior to the trial de novo the Court will review the District Court Record
and any briefing submitted by the parties.
The time for oral argument shall be limited to fifteen (15) minutes per
side.
[Adopted September 1, 2022; amended effective September 1, 2023.]
LOCAL CRIMINAL RULES
(Cite as LCrR)
LCrR 3.1. 	ARRAIGNMENT, TRIAL AND OTHER HEARINGS.
(a) - (c) [Rescinded September 1, 2020.]
(f) A lawyer for a defendant who is financially unable to obtain investigative, expert
or other services necessary to an adequate defense in the case may request them by
a motion to the court. A motion for these services shall be made on forms
approved by the Court and available in the courtroom.
[Amended September 1, 2020.]

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LCrR 3.4 	PRESENCE OF THE DEFENDANT
(a) When Necessary. The defendant shall be present at the arraignment, at every
stage of the trial including the empaneling of the jury and the return of the verdict,
and at the imposition of sentence, except as otherwise provided by these rules, or as
excused or excluded by the court for good cause shown. Agreed omnibus orders and
scheduling orders may be presented to the court by delivering them to the Court
Clerk.
[Adopted September 1, 2020; amended effective September 1, 2023.]
LCrR 4.2. 	SUPERIOR COURT COMMISSIONERS – AUTHORITY IN
ADULT CRIMINAL CASES
In adult criminal cases, Superior Court Commissioners have the power, authority, and
jurisdiction set forth in RCW 2.24.040(15). Superior Court Commissioners qualified
under Article 4, Section 23 of the Washington State Constitution are hereby specifically
authorized to accept and enter pleas of guilty in accordance with CrR 4.2.
[Adopted September 1, 2018.]
LCrR 6.1. 	TRIAL BY JURY.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2004; rescinded effective September 1, 2018.]
LOCAL JUVENILE COURT RULES
(Cite as LJuCR)
LJuCR 2.5. 	AMENDMENT OF SHELTER CARE ORDER.
Hearings to review an existing shelter care order shall be set for hearing no later than
thirty (30) days after the prior shelter care hearing. When the Department of Social and
Health Services is the petitioner, the Department shall submit for entry a continuing shelter
care order, maintaining the existing orders, no more than three (3) judicial days prior to the
date of the shelter care review hearing unless: (1) a party files and serves an objection to
continued shelter care on or before three (3) judicial days prior to the hearing date for the
shelter care review hearing; (2) any party formally notes a shelter care hearing; or (3) the
entry of a court order (such as an order of dependency) has made continued shelter care
unnecessary.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2004.]
LJuCR 3.8. 	DISPOSITION HEARINGS.
(c) Evidence. At disposition, review and permanency planning hearings, the
court shall consider the social file, social study (Individual Service and Safety
Plan), and other appropriate predisposition studies, including diagnostic,

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treatment and progress reports and recommendations from service providers
who have provided services to parties under prior court order. Any
predisposition study shall be made available to the other parties a reasonable
time prior to the hearing.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2004.]
LJuCR 3.9. 	REVIEW HEARINGS. [Rescinded effective September 1, 2023.]
[Adopted effective September 1, 2004; rescinded effective September 1, 2023.]
LOCAL GUARDIAN AD LITEM AND COURT VISITOR
GRIEVANCE RULES
(Cite as LRGAL)
LRGAL 1. 	GUARDIAN AD LITEM AND COURT VISITOR COMPLAINT
REVIEW COMMITTEE.
There shall be a complaint committee (hereinafter referred to as the “committee”),
consisting of the presiding judge and two (2) appointees to adjudicate complaints about
guardians ad litem and court visitors involved in Titles 11, 13 and 26 RCW.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2004; amended effective September 1, 2023.]
LRGAL 2. 	SUBMISSION OF COMPLAINTS.
All complaints shall be in writing, signed by at least one individual with his/her address
and phone number, and submitted to the court administrator.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2004.]
LRGAL 3. 	REVIEW OF COMPLAINT.
Upon receipt of a written complaint, the court administrator shall convene the complaint
review committee within ten (10) business days to review the complaint. Upon review of
the complaint, the committee shall either:
(a) Make a finding that the complaint concerns a case then pending in the court
and decline to review the complaint and so inform the complainant. In such
instances, the committee shall advise the complainant that the complaint may
only be addressed in the context of the case at bar, either by motion seeking
the removal of the guardian ad litem or by contesting the information or
recommendation contained in the guardian ad litem’s or court visitor’s report
or testimony. In such cases, the committee and its members shall perform

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their roles in such a manner as to assure that the trial judge or court
commissioner remains uninformed as to the complaint; or
(b) Make a finding that the complaint has no merit on its face, and decline to
review it and so inform the complaining party; or
(c) Make a finding that the complaint appears to have merit and request a written
response from the guardian ad litem within ten (10) business days detailing
the specific issues in the complaint to which the committee desires a response.
The committee shall provide the guardian ad litem or court visitor with a copy
of the original complaint. A guardian ad litem’s or court visitor’s failure to
respond within the required ten (10) business days shall result in the
immediate suspension of the guardian ad litem or court visitor from all
registries. In considering whether the complaint has merit, the committee
shall consider whether the complaint alleges the guardian ad litem or court
visitor has:
(1) 	Violated the Rules of Professional Conduct;
(2) 	Misrepresented his or her qualifications to serve as a guardian ad
litem;
(3) 	Not met the annual training requirements set forth in the registry
requirements;
(4) 	Breached the confidentiality of the parties;
(5) 	Falsified information in a report to the court or in testimony before
the court;
(6) 	Failed to report abuse of a child;
(7) 	Communicated with a judge/commissioner ex parte, except as
allowed by law (such as in obtaining an emergency restraining
order);
(8) 	Purported to represent the court in a public forum without prior
approval of the presiding judge;
(9) 	Violated state or local laws, or court rules in the person’s capacity as
guardian ad litem or court visitor;
(10) Taken or failed to take any other action which would reasonably call
the suitability of the person to serve as guardian ad litem or court
visitor into question;
(11) Failed to keep information confidential from non-parties or disclosed
protected information to a party;
(12) Intentionally lied or presented information in a false light to the
court, another party or a third party; or
(13) Talked about a case for which the guardian ad litem or court visitor
was appointed to the media or public without the permission of all
parties and/or the court.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2004; amended effective September 1, 2023.]

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LRGAL 4. 	RESPONSE AND FINDINGS.
Upon receipt of a written response to a complaint from the guardian ad litem or court
visitor, the complaint review committee shall, within ten (10) business days, make a
finding as to each of the issues delineated in the committee’s written request to the
guardian ad litem or court visitor that based on the response, there is either no merit to the
issue, or there is merit to the issue. In any case where the committee finds that there is
merit to an issue, the committee may conduct further investigation, including the
examination of witnesses, documents, and such other evidence as the committee may, in
the exercise of its discretion, choose to examine. The committee may extend the time for
entering findings of fact during such examination, provided, however, that no such
extension shall exceed thirty (30) days beyond the date the committee determined that
there is merit to any issue.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2004; amended effective September 1, 2023.]
LRGAL 5. 	CONFIDENTIALITY.
(a) A complaint shall be deemed confidential for all purposes unless the
committee has determined that it has merit under LRGAL 1.3(c).
(b) Any record of complaints filed which are found by the committee not to have
merit shall be and remain confidential and shall not be disclosed except by
court order.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2004.]
LRGAL 6. 	COMPLAINT PROCESSING TIME STANDARDS.
(a) Complaints shall be resolved within twenty-five (25) days of the date of
receipt of the written complaint if a case is pending.
(b) Complaints shall be resolved within sixty (60) days of the date or receipt of
the written complaint if the complaint is filed subsequent to the conclusion of
the case.
(c) The complainant and the guardian ad litem or court visitor shall be notified in
writing of the committee’s decision within ten (10) business days of the entry
of the committee’s findings and decision.
(d) Complaints filed under this rule must be filed within three (3) years from the
date of the occurrence of the matters complained of. The committee shall find
complaints filed after this time not to have cause to proceed. This limitation
applies to all complaints, whether filed during the pendency or after the
conclusion of a case.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2004; amended effective September 1, 2023.]

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LRGAL 7. 	SANCTIONS.
The committee shall have the authority to issue a written admonishment, issue a written
reprimand, refer the guardian ad litem or court visitor to additional testing, recommend to
the presiding judge either that the court, on its own motion, remove the guardian ad litem
or court visitor from the instant case, or that the presiding judge suspend or remove the
guardian ad litem from the registry. In considering a sanction, the committee shall take
into consideration any prior complaints which resulted in an admonishment, reprimand,
referral to training, removal of the guardian ad litem or court visitor from a particular
case, or suspension or removal from a registry. If a guardian ad litem or court visitor is
listed on more than one registry, at the discretion of the committee, the suspension or
removal may apply to each registry on which the guardian ad litem or court visitor is
listed. When a guardian ad litem or court visitor is removed from a registry pursuant to
the disposition of a grievance, the court shall send notice of such removal to the state
Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC).
[Adopted effective September 1, 2004; amended effective September 1, 2023.]
LRGAL 8. 	REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION BY GUARDIAN AD
LITEM OR COURT VISITOR.
A guardian ad litem or court visitor may, within five (5) business days of receipt of
notification that he or she has been suspended or removed from a registry, request a
hearing for reconsideration of the committee’s decision. The presiding judge shall
designate a hearing officer to preside over and conduct such review. The sole purpose of
the review shall be to review the appropriateness of the suspension or removal from the
registry. The hearing officer shall review the written record of the instant case and any
prior complaints upon which the committee relied and hear oral argument from the
guardian ad litem or court visitor and a representative of the committee. Said hearing
shall be conducted within twenty (20) days of receipt of a request for the hearing.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2004; amended effective September 1, 2023.]
LRGAL 9. 	MAINTAINING RECORDS OF GRIEVANCES.
The superior court administrator shall maintain a record of grievances filed and of any
sanctions issued pursuant to the grievance procedure.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2004.]
LRGAL 10. UNAVAILABILITY OF PRESIDING JUDGE.
In the event the presiding judge is not able to sit on the committee, issue an order or make
an assignment as required by these rules, on account of being the judge who is assigned
to a particular case, or is recused or may otherwise be disqualified, the other sitting judge
shall act in the place and stead of the presiding judge. In the event both judges are unable

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to so act, the court administrator shall arrange for a court commissioner or visiting judge,
so to act.
[Adopted effective September 1, 2004.]
LOCAL RULES FOR APPEAL
OF DECISIONS OF
COURTS OF LIMITED JURISDICTION
(Cite as LRALJ)
LRALJ 3.1. 	PROCEDURE
(a) Scheduling. When a notice of appeal has been filed, the Clerk shall provide
the presiding judge with a suggested schedule of dates for filing the transcript,
for submission of briefs as provided by RALJ 6.3A and 7.2, and for oral
argument. The presiding judge shall then enter an order which requires the
parties to comply with a schedule for such filings and to appear for a hearing
for oral argument. The Clerk shall give notice of the appeal scheduling order
to all parties, which notice shall include a notice sent directly to any criminal
defendant, even if represented by counsel. The scheduling order shall bear
the following legend above the judge’s signature:
ATTENTION APPELLANT: You are ultimately responsible for
ensuring that your appeal is prosecuted in a timely manner, even if
you have an attorney assisting you in preparing your appeal. You
must maintain contact with your attorney and the court to ensure that
this scheduling order is being followed. If you or your attorney fail to
meet the deadlines set out in this scheduling order, or fail to timely
seek an extension of time pursuant to RALJ 10.3, sanctions may be
assessed against you, or your appeal may be involuntarily dismissed
pursuant to RALJ 10.2(a).
(b) Transcripts. In the event the transcript or briefs are not timely filed, a party
or the Clerk may note the matter on the motion docket either for dismissal for
want of prosecution or for order of reversal.
(c) Argument. Arguments on appeal will be limited to 20 minutes per side,
except on prior order of the court.
[Adopted September 1, 1991; amended effective September 1, 2004.]

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Verbatim from the official publication; the only normalization is removal of the publisher's page headers. Verify against the official source for filing-critical use — court publications change without notice.