Motion for Reconsideration of a Commissioner's Order

Motion for Reconsideration of a Commissioner’s Order 1 of 4

Last updated 04/12/24

FLIC 9.1

Motion for Reconsideration of a

Commissioner’s Order

NOTE: Use these instructions if you have an order that was signed by a commissioner. If your order

was signed by a Judge, do not use this instruction. Ask a Facilitator.

A motion for Reconsideration asks the judicial officer who decided in your case to reexamine or

“reconsider” their initial decision. Motions for Reconsideration are done in writing.

Motions for Reconsideration must be filed and served on the other party within 10 calendar days of

the Commissioner’s decision. The parties do not appear before the Commissioner for oral

argument unless the Commissioner requests it.

Talk to a lawyer if you can

These instructions have been developed by the King County Superior Court Family Law

Information Center. They provide legal information only and are not intended to be a

substitute for legal advice.

Facilitators cannot provide legal advice or complete your forms for you. It’s a good idea to

talk to a lawyer before you file any forms.

• You can get information about their services and a list of low-cost and free legal resources at

https://kingcounty.gov/en/court/superior-court/courts-jails-legal-system/court-programs-

children-families/divorce-custody-adoption/family-law-facilitators.

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Step 1: Fill out these forms

This form can be downloaded at: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dja/courts-jails-legal-

system/court-forms-document-filing/forms

Form Name

Form Number

Notes

Completed

Notice of Court Date Family Law Non-

Capped

Seattle or Kent

See Step 2



All these forms can be downloaded at: www.courts.wa.gov/forms

Motion

FL All Family 181

Tell the Court what you are

requesting be changed

from the original order.



Declaration

FL All Family 135

Explain why the Court

should agree with your

request.



Order

FL All Family 182

Fill this out the way you

would like the

Commissioner to decide.



Fill out these forms after the other parent is served (see Step 6), make a copy and

file them.

Proof of Personal Service

FL All Family 101

This is for the server to fill

out after copies of your

court papers are served on

the other party. See Step 6.



Proof of Mailing or Hand Delivery

FL All Family 112

See Step 6.



Step 2: How to choose a court date.

To set the date the commissioner will decide on your motion, you must fill out and file the Notice

of Court Date Family Law Non-Capped, Kent or Seattle.

You must schedule your motion with the family law department by going to

https://superiorcourt.kingcounty.gov/famlaw/scheduling/calendar.

Select an “8:30am Reconsideration” court date that is that is at least 9 court days from the date

you plan to file the Notice of Court Date. The date you choose cannot be more than 30 days

from the date of the original decision. You will not come to court for a hearing on the date you

set. The Commissioner will review your motion without oral argument. To fill out the Notice of

Court Date:

• Fill in your name, email address and phone number

• Write “Motion for Reconsideration” next to “name of motion”

• Fill in the other party’s name and the court date you have chosen

• Check the box “Motion for Reconsideration” and write in the name of the Commissioner who

signed the Order you are asking to be reconsidered

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• Sign and date and list your address or email address where the other party can send you

documents. Also write the parties’ names and service addresses on the second page of this

form.

Step 3: Make Copies of all documents in Step 1 (except proof of service

or proof of mailing)

How many copies do I need?

▪ Original set to file with Clerk’s office

▪ Copy 1 will go to the Commissioner for the hearing

▪ Copy 2 is to serve on the other party

▪ Copy 3 you will keep for your record

Step 4: Take your completed forms to the Clerk’s office and file them.

File with the Clerk (2C in Kent and E-609 in Seattle) the originals of all papers from Step 1

except the Order and Proof of Service or Proof of Mailing.

E-File your completed forms with the Clerk’s Office

How to e-file into an existing case:

https://www.kingcounty.gov/~/media/courts/Clerk/docs/misc/eFileIntoExistingCaseGuide.ashx?l

a=en also found here: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dja/courts-jails-legal-system/court-forms-

document-filing/filing

Step 5: Send Proposed Orders to Family Law Department

You can submit your proposed order online through the Clerk's Office eFiling System

https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dja/courts-jails-legal-system/court-forms-document-

filing/filing via the "Proposed Orders (Family Law)" link.

If you are not represented by an attorney, you can submit paper copies of proposed orders to

the Judge’s Mailroom in an envelope marked “Attn: Family Law Commissioner” with their full

name, case number and hearing date. Orders for cases with a “KNT” designation should be

dropped off in room 2D in Kent. Orders for cases with an “SEA” designation should be dropped

off in room C-203 in Seattle.

If you are the person asking for the motion, submit your proposed order at least 9

calendar days prior to the hearing.

If you are the person responding to the motion, there is nothing you need to do. The Court will

contact you if the Court wants you to file a response. (LFLR(e)(4))

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Step 6: Submission List

The Submission List is a list of the filed documents you want the court to review for your

hearing. The Submission List form can be found at:

Find this form here: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dja/courts-jails-legal-system/court-forms-

document-filing/forms

Form Name

Completed

Working Paper Submission List



The Submission list must be filed in the court file at least 3 court days by 12 noon before your

hearing. You must include the phone number and email address on the Submission List even

though the Court will not call you for this hearing. It is without oral argument. If you do not turn in

a Submission List the Commissioner may not review your motion.

Step 6: Have the other party served.

What to serve

Serve the other party with a copy of all forms and any other documents you are submitting to

the Commissioner for the Motion for Reconsideration. The other parties must be served within

10 days of the Commissioner’s oral decision.

How to serve

If a trial date is scheduled in your case:

Provided that no order restrains you from having contact with the other party, you may deliver or

mail them yourself within 10 calendar days of the Court’s oral decision (If you mail them, you must

mail them within 7 days of the Court’s oral decision). If the other party has an attorney, deliver or

mail to the attorney instead. After delivering or mailing the documents, fill out the Proof of Mailing

or Hand Delivery. Make 1 copy of this form for your records and file the original with the Clerk’s

office.

If a trial date is not scheduled in your case:

Someone other than yourself, who is over the age of 18, must serve the documents on the other

party within 10 calendar days of the Court’s oral decision. If the other party has an attorney, have

the attorney served instead. The Server must complete and sign the Proof of Mailing or Hand

Delivery form and return it to you. Make 1 copy for your records and file the original with the

Clerk’s office.

If the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office was involved in the original motion, you must

deliver a copy of all forms and documents for the Motion for Reconsideration to the King County

Prosecuting Attorney Family Support Division

Step 7: Reply to any Response by the other party (if applicable)

Once the commissioner reviews your motion, they can either:

1) Deny your motion without a response from the other party or

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2) Ask the other party for a response.

You will receive a letter or email letting you know if they have denied the motion or if they are

asking for a response. If a response is requested the letter or email will include deadlines for the

response and your reply to the response.

If you wish to reply to the other party’s response, you must file and serve your reply by the date

listed on the letter. You must also file an updated Submission List to include your reply

declaration.