This is the fourth article in our series about King County Superior Court Case Schedules.  Last week we discussed the Confirmation of Issues.  Today we’re discussing the fourth event on your Case Schedule, the deadline for Hearing Motions to Change Case Assignment Area.

Thinking back on when you filed your case, or received notice from the your ex that your divorce was filed, you may recall a document called the Case Assignment Area Form.

In King County, your case will be assigned to either the Seattle or Kent court houses depending upon whether you live in north or south King County (determined by where you live relative to Interstate 90).   The importance of the case assignment area is that you must schedule any motions you file and submit any working papers in the court house assigned to your case.  All of your hearings and your trial will be held in the court house assigned to your case.

If for some reason you later want to change your case from one court house to another, you need to file a Motion and schedule a hearing on that motion by the deadline indicated on your Case Schedule.

While this Case Event had more significance in the past, you’re likely not going to care very much about this.  Back in the good old days, if you lived in Kent, but your lawyer lived in Seattle, you might very well want to switch locations for the ease of your lawyer.  However, today, thanks to the availability of electronic filing for court documents, the newish court house in Kent, improved options for public transportation, and the ease of communication by fax, phone and e-mail, it really shouldn’t matter too much whether your case is in Seattle or Kent.

However, if the location of your case is creating difficulty for you, you better let the court know that you want to move the case, and tell them why by this deadline.