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Ex Parte via the Clerk
Certain Ex Parte and Probate Department matters (orders) may be presented at an in-person hearing. The remaining matters (orders) must be submitted to the Clerk's Office for presentation - a process called Ex Parte via the Clerk.
Ex Parte via the Clerk (EPVC) Matters
To determine if a court matter must be heard in the Ex Parte and Probate Department, review Local Civil Rule 40.1. If yes:
- Read the Ex Parte Motions and Hearing Manual (updated 12-24-2015) to learn the rules, procedures, costs and timelines.
- View the Ex Parte Master List to determine if your matter must be presented via the Clerk or in-person by a case participant.
EPVC Service
Fees
- A $30.00 presentation fee is applied to all EPVC submissions.
- For a $70.00 expedited presentation fee, the Clerk will present your materials to the Ex Parte Department within fifteen (15) minutes of receipt.
- You may apply to the Clerk's office for a fee waiver.
Submissions
- Up to five proposed orders may be included with each EPVC submission.
- The court case file is not reviewed. All supporting documents necessary for the Court to decide the issue must be provided, including but not limited to copies of all documents (e.g., Affidavits of Service) that are referenced in the proposed order.
EPVC Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, the clerk will present documents that are agreed, do not require testimony, are not of an emergent nature and do not impact the trial schedule or involve discovery. New or reopened probate matters may be presented either by the parties or by the clerk. For more specific information about which documents are to be presented by the clerk and which can be presented by the parties, review the Motions and Hearings Manual and the Ex Parte Master List.
Matters that will not be accepted for presentation via EPVC include the following:
- Matters noted for a hearing
- Working Copies for a noted hearing (see eWorking Copies)
- Matters with oral argument
- Orders that impact the trial schedule
- Matters that involve discovery
- Parenting plans
- Orders confirming binding Arbitration that are not stipulated
- All Temporary Restraining Orders
Certain documents may be presented directly to the Ex Parte and Probate Department by the case parties. Anti-harassment, domestic violence, sexual assault and vulnerable adult protection orders, and restraining orders shall be presented in person. Additionally, orders requiring testimony and child custody and parenting plan orders shall be presented in person. New or reopened probate matters may either be presented in person or by the clerk. For more specific information about which documents are to be presented by the clerk and which can be presented by the parties, review the Motions and Hearings Manual and the Ex Parte Master List.
No. For those matters that are noted for a hearing before Ex Parte, you are expected to appear for the hearing. You may submit working copies electronically to the Commissioner through the Clerk's eFiling application eWorking Copies submission process or you may drop off a paper copy in the Judges' mailroom at the location of your noted hearing.
No, if submitted electronically the clerk will provide you with one conformed copy of each signed order. If you are submitting your documents by mail or in person, please provide additional copies to be conformed.
You can request expedited service (additional $40.00) and clerk's office staff will, within fifteen minutes of receipt, present your materials to the Ex Parte Department. The judicial officer will consider the expedited matter(s) immediately upon completion of their in-process matter. Generally, expedited Ex Parte via the Clerk matters will be available to the submitter within an hour.
Fee waivers are available if payment of the presentation fee would cause a financial hardship. To learn more about qualifying for a fee waiver, contact the Clerk's Office by calling 206-477-0848 in Seattle or 206-477-3047 in Kent. You may also inquire about fee waivers in person at any Clerk's Office location.
Stipulations and Proposed Orders need to be submitted separately. In the Clerk's eFiling application Ex Parte via the Clerk submission process, stipulations with original signatures can be uploaded as a .pdf within the “Add Additional Documents” tab. Please refer to GR 30 for the appropriate use of /S/ in lieu of a signature. If the Stipulation has not been filed, verify that the “e-file me” box is checked. Proposed orders should be uploaded as a WORD (.doc or .docx) file within the “Proposed Order” tab. Another option is to deliver the Stipulation and Proposed Order to the Clerk’s Office in hard copy for presentation to the ExParte Department.
Yes. The eFiling Ex Parte via the Clerk component includes a shopping cart functionality that allows you to include multiple cases within one submission. This also enables you to incur the King County eCommerce transaction fee ($1.49 for internet check and $2.49 for credit card) only once.
If a motion is denied, the judicial officer will enter a minute order that will include the reason for the denial. This minute order will also contain instructions on how you may proceed, if applicable. You may then resubmit a corrected order as instructed by the Court. You must include a copy of the Minute Order when you resubmit your documents.
The clerk presents orders to the Ex Parte and Probate Department only. Questions on how to present orders to be signed by an Individual Calendar Judge should be directed to the Court's Bailiff.
You may present your application in person or send it to the Clerk's Office by mail. Writs of garnishment are not accepted electronically at this time.