In family court, deadlines are not suggestions. They are jurisdictional boundaries. Miss one and the court can enter a default judgment against you, deny your motion, or refuse to hear your response. The other side knows this. Their attorney knows this. Now you do too.
Calculate Your Deadline
WA Family Court Deadline Reference
These are the core deadlines every pro se parent in Washington must know. All are derived from the Revised Code of Washington (RCW) and Washington Superior Court Civil Rules (CR).
| Event | Deadline | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Response to petition (in-state) | 20 days from service | CR 12(a); RCW 26.09 |
| Response to petition (out-of-state) | 60 days from service | CR 12(a) |
| Response to motion | 5 court days before hearing (or as specified in order) | CR 6(d); Local Rules |
| Protection order hearing | Within 14 days of temporary order | RCW 7.105.250 |
| Notice of appeal | 30 days from entry of final order | RAP 5.2(a) |
| Motion for reconsideration | 10 days from entry of order | CR 59(b) |
| Discovery responses | 30 days from service | CR 33(a); CR 34(b); CR 36(a) |
| Contempt response | By date specified in order to show cause | RCW 7.21; Local Rules |
| Objection to relocation | 30 days from receipt of notice | RCW 26.09.480 |
| Motion to vacate default | 1 year (reasonable time) | CR 60(b) |
What Counts as a "Court Day"?
Some deadlines in Washington are measured in court days (also called judicial days or business days), not calendar days. Court days exclude weekends and legal holidays. When a rule says "5 court days before hearing," you must count backward skipping Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
When a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, it extends to the next court day per CR 6(a). But do not rely on this extension as strategy. File early. File often. Never wait until the last day.
What Happens If You Miss a Deadline
If you miss a response deadline: The court can enter a default order. This means the other side gets everything they asked for, and you were never heard. Under CR 55, default can be entered as soon as the deadline passes.
If you miss an appeal deadline: You lose your right to appeal. The 30-day window under RAP 5.2(a) is jurisdictional. Courts have no discretion to extend it. It is gone.
If you miss a reconsideration deadline: The 10-day window under CR 59(b) is strictly enforced. After 10 days, the order stands as entered.
The system relies on you not knowing these deadlines. That advantage is now gone.