The Washington State Superior Court System is convoluted and complicated, especially for large counties like King, Pierce, and Snohomish County. The larger the county, the more convoluted our system gets. This page provides a basic understanding of how our court system works.
These articles are written for people with little to no knowledge about our court system. If you are a lawyer or have multiple divorces notched under your belt, these pages will probably not be for you.
What is Superior Court and how is it different from District Court?
For most people, District Court and Superior Court are essentially the same thing. Washington State uses the distinction of “District” versus “Superior” to divide cases up based on how much money is at stake or whether someone is charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. A lawsuit for $25,000 will be filed in district court, unless the attorney who filed the case either likes to waste his client’s money or he is seeking something equitable in relief. Superior Court is where divorce and family law cases are heard.
Some Washington State attorneys may operate out of district or juvenile court, but you will rarely see a family law lawyer in one of those court rooms. I’ve appeared in district or juvenile court for very limited issues like a domestic violence protection order or establishing concurrent jurisdiction with a dependency case.
How long does the typical divorce case last in Seattle or King County?
Divorce and family law cases are known as domestic cases in King, Pierce, and Snohomish County. All divorce cases have a mandatory 90 day cooling off period, where as legal separation or third party custody cases do not. 50% of domestic cases in King County are finished in 119 days. 23.6% of domestic cases last 9 months or longer. Less than 5% last longer than a year and half.
Some available tools (bookmark or favorite this page for later reference):
1) Abbreviations used in Superior Court: ex parte, dvpo, OC, SCOMIS, RCP, FRCP
2) Start to finish case flow chart process for dissolution cases in King County Superior Court.
3) Basic legal terminology – motions calendar, return hearing
4) Types of Family Law Motions that can be filed.
4) Key Concepts Our Clients Need to know For Contested Family Law or Divorce cases: ex parte restraining orders, mediation, trial, arbitration, final orders
