After you have filed for divorce or parenting plans, there are follow up steps needed to get a final order on your case. You will not have what you are asking for (divorce or parenting plan) unless you have a final order that is presented to the judge for a signature. The judge will not have this paperwork for you. But CWLA can help.
You will be ready to take final orders to the judge for their signature if:
- You and the other party are in agreement, OR
- You have served the other party the paperwork and they have never responded.
If this case is a divorce case, you can present final paperwork to the judge 91 days after you have filed the case if:
- You have served the other party and they have not responded, OR
- The other party has agreed to the divorce and signed the initial paperwork that you filed at the beginning of your case.
- Or they have signed and filed a joinder form.
If this is a request for a parenting plan and you aren’t married, you can present final paperwork to the judge:
- 21 days after you have served the other party and they have not responded, OR
- At any time if the other party has agreed to your paperwork and signed the initial paperwork that you filed at the beginning of your case, or a joinder form.
If you are ready to prepare final paperwork, and you need help, please attend the Courthouse Clinic with lawyers from Central WA Legal Aid on the 2nd or 4th Friday of every month between 9:00 A.M. and 11:00 A.M. in the basement of the courthouse. No appointment is needed, but you should bring your case number and any paperwork you have regarding your case. CWLA helps families who make 200% or less of the poverty guidelines.
If minor children are involved, you MUST file child support worksheets OR contact Division of Child Support to set up child support before your case can be finalized.
If your case is not agreed and the other party will not sign, before your case can be finalized, you must serve the other party. You can’t serve by mail unless you get permission to do so ahead of time from a Judge in court. There are extra forms to complete to be able to ask for this permission.
