The Shelf-Life of an Ex Parte Order.

Ex Parte orders are usually temporary such as a restraining order or one for temporary custody.  In the state of Washington those orders are good for only a fortnight…14 days.  Having said that, it could still be the most excruciating two weeks of your life if you are unfortunate enough to be on the receiving end.

If you are served with an Ex Parte order, that notice of a full hearing is also served with your restraining order on the first or second page.  In most cases, you may be best served spending that time preparing for the hearing rather than just reacting to it without taking the proper legal action necessary.

If you wait until after the hearing to see an attorney that may be very detrimental to your cause.  If you have been the recipient immediately contact Craig Mason.  Attorney Mason is a Spokane area Ex Parte order defense attorney.  When you need a strong, thorough family attorney in Eastern Washington contact Craig Mason at (509) 443-3681.

Hold the Phone…They are Trying to Take my Kids.

In a divorce proceeding the other side may issue an “emergency” order to seize property, children, etc.  Often these orders are issued without proper notice giving the other side virtually no time to read or respond to them.  A phone call from the ex-parte courtroom as the orders are about to be signed is not enough notice to do more than stagger into an ambush and lose!

No matter how one-sided and disreputable this may seem to claim an “emergency” when there is none, it is a fact of life. 

Emergency orders, though often abused, exist for good reasons.  Courts issue ex parte orders to “play it safe” when another party has made “hot allegations” that the other parent or partner is a danger to the person requesting the order.  “Just in case,” the courts often grant the ex parte order.

That said, there are unethical attorneys out there who will intentionally abuse “play it safe” tendency in the system and use ex parte orders to grab the children, the house, and the community funds. It is imperative that you do all you can to respond quickly.

In the face of this trauma, a professional family attorney with your interests at heart can undertake the fight on your behalf. That attorney is Spokane divorce lawyer Craig Mason.  Get a very experienced family attorney on your side today by calling 509-443-3681.