[WSBARP] Current emergency orders re non-family law civil matters, mostly King County but some statewide relevance

[MK Henderson]

The Commissioners from ExParte in King County gave a presentation today for
the KCBA Elder law section. Their interpretation of the order is emergency
hearings for DVPO and VAPO's concerning physical danger would be heard, not
in person but by phone. Probates presented via the clerk would be returned
denied. Restraining orders concerning property and agreed orders would be
denied.  You can still e-file but no civil hearings except for those
listed.  I am not clear how Temporary Orders are to be continued but it is
my understanding they are to be continued. The Commissioner's are going to
try and give some clarity by tomorrow night.

On Thursday, March 19, 2020, Eric Nelsen <Eric at sayrelawoffices.com> wrote:

> All—I just put this together for my firm and thought I would pass it along.
>
>
>
> DISCLAIMERS:
>
>
>
>    1. *Virtually everything below from Seattle or King County is or may
>    be moot in light of yesterday's Supreme Court Order, attached*, which
>    says, "*2. All non-emergency civil matters shall be continued until
>    after April 24, 2020.*" I think there is still a lot of confusion
>    about how to interpret this. Or *I'm* confused, anyway. Questions I
>    don't have answers for but wish I did:
>       1. In King County, is Ex Parte via the Clerk completely shut down
>       except for non-emergency?
>       2. Does this mean we can't start a probate right now?
>       3. Can we *e-file* non-emergency documents with the clerk since
>       that doesn't involve sending someone to the courthouse, or does even
>       e-filing interfere with the clerk's office's focus on emergency matters?
>       4. Can I contact a judge's bailiff to set a hearing for after April
>       24?
>
>
>
>    1. I practice almost entirely in King County and in Seattle so I
>    stayed focused on that. Of course you should all read the relevant orders
>    yourself; this is just my attempt to wrap my head around the multiple
>    orders coming from City of Seattle, King County Sheriff, King County
>    Superior Court, and Washington Supreme Court.
>
>
>
>    1. There are lots of orders relating to criminal matters, and I didn't
>    try to summarize them. Same thing with family law—there's a lot involving
>    UFC and regular Ex Parte and any and all family law related cases that I
>    didn't attempt to summarize. Guardianships—See KCSC order #4, the memo
>    attached has a lot of information on handling GRD proceedings. *This
>    is mainly focused on what I thought was relevant to probate and real estate*
>    .
>
>
>
> The orders and proclamations:
>
>
>
> SEATTLE – moratorium on *small business and nonprofit evictions* for 60
> days, through May 16 (Mayor's proclamation of March 17
> <https://durkan.seattle.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2020/03/Civil-Emergency-Order-Moratorium-on-Small-Business-Tenant-Evictions-3.17.20.pdf>
> )
>
> KING COUNTY – *residential eviction* hearings, motions, trials, stayed
> and suspended until March 30 (KCSC order #9, March 18
> <https://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/superior-court.aspx>)
>
> KING COUNTY – sheriff has suspended enforcement of all *eviction orders
> "not related to public safety or nuisance."* (KCSC order #8, March 17
> <https://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/superior-court.aspx>)
>
> KING COUNTY – *all civil pre-trial hearings* shall be heard
> telephonically only (KCSC order #4, March 13
> <https://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/superior-court.aspx>)
>
> KING COUNTY – *Ex Parte* – no walk-ins permitted. Use the Ex Parte via
> the Clerk online system, or if you need to submit an original Will send
> materials by messenger to Ex Parte via the Clerk. Hearings by telephone
> only—contact the clerk as early as possible to coordinate the conference
> line that you should call in to. (KCSC order #4, March 13, attached memo
> <https://www.kingcounty.gov/courts/superior-court.aspx>)
>
> STATEWIDE -- *non-emergency civil matters* suspended through April 24 (WASC
> order of March 18
> <https://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/index.cfm?fa=opinions.scorders>)
>
> STATEWIDE – *emergency civil proceedings before April 24* must be heard
> telephonically or other means that does not require in-person attendance,
> "unless impossible" (WASC order of March 18
> <https://www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/index.cfm?fa=opinions.scorders>)
>
>
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
> Eric
>
>
>
> Eric C. Nelsen
>
> Sayre Law Offices, PLLC
>
> 1417 31st Ave South
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1417+31st+Ave+South+%0D%0A+Seattle+WA+98144?entry=gmail&source=g>
>
> Seattle WA 98144
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1417+31st+Ave+South+%0D%0A+Seattle+WA+98144?entry=gmail&source=g>
> -3909
>
> 206-625-0092
>
> eric at sayrelawoffices.com
>
>
>
> *Note – Attorneys and Staff Working Remotely Due to COVID-19*
>
>
>
> As we face the quickly changing circumstances presented by COVID-19, our
> firm wants to update you as to the steps that we are taking at Sayre Law
> Offices.  Our top priority is the health and safety of our employees,
> clients, colleagues and friends, and all of their families and communities.
>
>
>
> In order to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus while still serving our
> clients, our attorneys are working remotely.  During this time, our
> attorneys are able to make and receive telephone calls; access all of our
> documents and servers; and access emails and voicemails.  Our Seattle and
> Vashon offices remain open with limited staffing to maintain critical
> functions, and to route phone calls, mail, and deliveries.  Our Olympia
> office is closed.  Attorney/client meetings will be handled by
> teleconference where able, and signatures for estate planning or real
> estate transactions/closings will be handled on a case-by-case basis.  Many
> of the local courts have postponed trials and hearings, or are moving them
> to telephonic proceedings only.  We are keeping up to date on those court
> closures and changes, and will advise each client, accordingly.
>
>
>
> We will continue to monitor the situation and recommendations from the CDC
> and state and local health departments and will respond accordingly.  Be
> assured that we will continue to advise and support our clients throughout
> this health emergency.
>
>
>


-- 
Mary K. Henderson
Henderson Law Office PLLC
1123 Maple Ave SW, Suite 225
Renton, WA 98057
206-650-2472
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