# CR 4.1: Rule 4.1. Process--Domestic Relations Actions

> Washington · Court rules · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_CR_R4_1

## Section

- **Citation:** CR 4.1
- **Heading:** Rule 4.1. Process--Domestic Relations Actions
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Court rules
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Court Rules / Rules for Superior Court / Superior Court Civil Rules / CR 4.1

## Text

RULE 4.1
PROCESS--DOMESTIC RELATIONS ACTIONS

(a) Summons--General. Actions authorized by RCW 26.09 shall be commenced by filing
a petition or by service of a copy of a summons together with a copy of the petition on
respondent as provided in rule 4. Upon written demand by the respondent, the petitioner shall pay
the filing fee and file the summons and petition within 14 days after service of the demand or the
service shall be void. No summons is necessary if both spouses sign a joint petition or if the
respondent files a written joinder in the proceeding.

(b) Summons--Content, Form.

(1) Content. The summons shall contain the title of the action, the name of the county and
the court in which the action is brought, the names of the parties, as petitioner and respondent, a
direction to the respondent to serve a copy of his or her response on the person who has signed
the summons, the time limit within which the copy of the response must be served, notice that
failure to serve a copy of the response within the stated time may result in a judgment by default,
the signature and address of the petitioner or petitioner's attorney, and the date.

(2) Form. The summons for personal service in the state in an action for dissolution of
marriage shall be substantially in the form below. The summons for personal service in the state
in any other action authorized by RCW 26.09 should be adapted from this form. The summons
for personal service out of state should be adapted from this form and must include the
modifications required by statute. See RCW 4.28.180.

SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON
FOR (_______________) COUNTY

In the Matter of the
)
Marriage of
) No. ______
______________________,
)
Petitioner,
)
and
)
______________________, ) SUMMONS FOR
Respondent.
) DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

TO THE RESPONDENT: The petitioner has started an action in the above court requesting
that your marriage be dissolved
by statute. See RCW 4.28.180.

SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON
FOR (_______________) COUNTY

In the Matter of the
)
Marriage of
) No. ______
______________________,
)
Petitioner,
)
and
)
______________________, ) SUMMONS FOR
Respondent.
) DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE

TO THE RESPONDENT: The petitioner has started an action in the above court requesting
that your marriage be dissolved. Additional requests, if any, are stated in the petition, a copy of
which is attached to this summons.

You must respond to this summons and petition by serving a copy of your written response
on the person signing this summons. If you do not serve your written response within 20 days
after the date this summons was served on you, exclusive of the day of service, the court may
enter an order of default against you, and at the end of 90 days after service and filing, the court
may, without further notice to you, enter a decree dissolving your marriage and approving or
providing for other relief requested in the petition. If you serve a notice of appearance on the
undersigned person, you are entitled to notice before an order of default or a decree may be
entered.

You may demand that the petitioner file this action with the court. If you do so, the demand
must be in writing and must be served upon the person signing this summons. Within 14 days
after you serve the demand, the petitioner must file this action with the court, or the service on
you of this summons and petition will be void.

If you wish to seek the advice of an attorney in this matter, you should do so promptly so
that your written response, if any, may be served on time.
emand
must be in writing and must be served upon the person signing this summons. Within 14 days
after you serve the demand, the petitioner must file this action with the court, or the service on
you of this summons and petition will be void.

If you wish to seek the advice of an attorney in this matter, you should do so promptly so
that your written response, if any, may be served on time.

One method of serving a copy of your response on the petitioner is to send it by certified
mail with return receipt requested.

This summons is issued pursuant to rule 4.1 of the Superior Court Civil Rules of the State
of Washington.

Dated ________________________ (signed) __________________________

__________________________________

Print or Type Name

SERVE A COPY OF YOUR RESPONSE ON:
( ) Petitioner ( ) Petitioner's Attorney
________________________________________
Address
________________________________________
___________________,WA _________________
(city) (zip)

## Nearby sections

- [CR 1 Rule 1. Scope of Rules](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_CR_R1.md)
- [CR 2 Rule 2. One Form of Action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_CR_R2.md)
- [CR 2A Rule 2A. Stipulations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_CR_R2A.md)
- [CR 3 Rule 3. Commencement of Action](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_CR_R3.md)
- [CR 4 Rule 4. Process](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_CR_R4.md)
- [CR 4.1 Rule 4.1. Process--Domestic Relations Actions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_CR_R4_1.md)
- [CR 4.2 Rule 4.2. Process - Limited Representation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_CR_R4_2.md)
- [CR 5 Rule 5. Service and Filing of Pleadings and Other Papers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_CR_R5.md)
- [CR 6 Rule 6. Time](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_CR_R6.md)
- [CR 7 Rule 7. Pleadings Allowed; Form of Motions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_CR_R7.md)
- [CR 8 Rule 8. General Rules of Pleading](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_CR_R8.md)
- [CR 9 Rule 9. Pleading Special Matters](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_CR_R9.md)
- [CR 10 Rule 10. Form of Pleadings and Other Papers](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_CR_R10.md)
- [CR 11 Rule 11. Signing and Drafting of Pleadings, Motions, and Legal Memoranda: Sanctions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_CR_R11.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/SRULES_WA_CR_R4_1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.