Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do I participate in a Workshop? Each Workshop is one hour long. You sign up for a Workshop either online or by calling Xenia at 877-776-7310. On the day of your Workshop, you should arrive at least 10 minutes early to get signed in. The first part of the Workshop provides general instruction on the scheduled topic. After this, you will be able to ask specific questions. Remember to be careful not to disclose personal information that you do not want the other participants to know about your case during the question and answer period. You may sign up for as many Workshops as you need.

What does Pro Se mean?  Pro se legal representation refers to the instance of a person representing himself or herself without a lawyer in a court proceeding. Pro se is a Latin phrase meaning "for oneself." This status is sometimes known as propria persona (abbreviated to "pro per"). In England and Wales the comparable status is "litigant in person."

What is a dissolution of marriage? A marriage dissolution is a lawsuit to end a marriage, also called a divorce. Washington uses the term “dissolution” rather than "divorce," but they mean the same. Only married people can file for dissolution. Marriages that are legal in other states and countries are generally recognized in Washington and can be dissolved here. Washington does not recognize same-sex marriages, marriages of persons who already have another living spouse, or marriages between close relatives. It is not necessary to prove "fault" to get a divorce. You need only say that your marriage is “irretrievably broken.”

What is personal jurisdiction over the respondent? A Washington court will not have personal jurisdiction over a respondent who has never lived in Washington unless the respondent does something to give Washington that jurisdiction. Without personal jurisdiction, the Washington court cannot order the respondent to pay child support, maintenance, or any debts. The court also cannot divide any property not physically in Washington. The petitioner may still be able to end a marriage.

If you are served with a petition for dissolution, paternity, or other relief and believe that Washington does not have jurisdiction over you, you must make that claim in writing to the court before you file anything else in the case, including a response to the petition. If you do not challenge jurisdiction right away when you are served with a summons and petition and you participate in the case, you will have forever waived your right to do so. You may also consent to Washington jurisdiction.
Who is the petitioner in my case? The petitioner is the person who files the petition and serves it on the other party.

What is a petition? This is the pleading you file and serve on the respondent to start your case. It identifies the parties, children, assets and debts and other facts of the case; whether the parties have separated; whether the court has jurisdiction over the parties; whether maintenance, restraining, or protection orders should be entered; and whether a party is pregnant. The petition also includes the petitioner’s requests for how all of these issues should be resolved. For example, a petition for dissolution includes a section for the petitioner to list all of the debts the parties owe, and a second section for the petitioner to tell the court and the respondent his or her proposal for who should pay each of these debts.

Who is the respondent in my case? The respondent is the person who is served with the petition.
What is a response to a petition? This is the pleading you file and serve on the petitioner if you have been served with a petition. In it, you either admit or deny the claims made in the petition. If you deny a claim, then you must tell the court and the petitioner why you deny it, and what you believe to be correct instead. For example, if you are served with a petition for dissolution of your marriage and you believe that the petitioner’s list of debts or who should have to pay them is wrong, then you would tell the court and the petitioner what you believe the correct list or allocation should be.

What is a summons? A summons is a legal notice to the respondent that the petitioner has filed a lawsuit. It puts the respondent on notice that he or she must file a written response by a deadline. If you fail to serve the summons with the petition, you cannot proceed with your case. If you are served with a summons and petition and you fail to appear or respond, the petitioner may obtain default orders without notice to you.