File a motion for attorney fees in a divorce case

Aquí, “Juez” se refiere a jueces y comisionados del juzgado.

If you’re involved in a divorce case filed in a Washington state superior court, you can ask for a court order for your spouse to pay money for you to hire a lawyer if all these are true: 

• You believe you need to hire a lawyer to get a fair result in your divorce
• You can't afford a lawyer with just your income
• Your spouse can afford to help pay your attorney fees 

Under Washington State law, a judge can order one spouse to pay the other's attorney fees after considering both parties' financial resources. You can ask for fees for services before filing or during a divorce, modification, or enforcement proceeding. 

To ask the judge to do this, you must file a motion. There’s no deadline, but you should file as soon as you can. 

You’ll file a motion for attorney fees in the Superior Court where your divorce is filed. When filing, you use the same case number. This motion is part of your divorce case. 

Una petición legal (moción) es una solicitud que hace al juez en cualquier momento durante el proceso de su caso, ya sea antes o después de un juicio. Puede obtener formularios legales para encontrar los adecuados para su situación y realizar la petición correspondiente. 

En la mayoría de las peticiones, debe presentar todos sus documentos y pruebas por escrito, programar una audiencia, entregar sus documentos a la secretaría del tribunal y notificar a la otra parte. Tiene la opción de presentar declaraciones escritas (conocidas como declaraciones) suyas y de otras personas que respalden su caso. La otra parte tiene la posibilidad de responder por escrito. 

Esto es diferente a un juicio, donde los testigos deben testificar en persona. El juez realiza un juicio para tomar una decisión final sobre todos los aspectos de su caso.

¿Tengo que pagar para presentar una petición? 

No debería costar nada presentar una petición. Es posible que tenga que pagar por copias de cualquier orden que firme el juez. 

How will the judge decide?

After you file and serve your motion and notice of hearing, your spouse will have a chance to respond in writing. Go to the hearing even if your spouse doesn’t respond in writing. 

 At the hearing, the judge should balance your spouse’s ability to pay the fees against your need for attorney fees. The judge must consider your financial situation and your spouse’s. 

What if the judge doesn’t approve my motion? 

The judge might not order your spouse to pay your attorney fees if you both have similar incomes, or if neither of you can afford a lawyer. Many people represent themselves in family court. 

If you file a motion that the judge thinks wastes the court’s time, the judge might order you to pay your spouse’s court costs. If you’re unsure if you should file this motion, try to talk to a lawyer.