Washington Deadlines
Both triggers — that's the clock.
Four states, four different anchors: Texas runs from filing, Arizona from service, California from whichever comes FIRST — and Washington needs BOTH: ninety days from filing AND from service, with the later one controlling. File-and-sit gains nothing; serve promptly and the floor passes while the paperwork proceeds. Every day-count here re-verifies against the stored statute text before it renders as verified.
Earliest the decree can be entered
Runtime-verifiedNinety days from filing and service (or first publication) — the later trigger controls · RCW 26.09.030
The clock is incomplete
The ninety-day floor needs BOTH dates — it runs from the petition's filing AND from service (or first publication), and the later one controls. Half the clock is no clock.
missing: filing + service
Ninety days must have elapsed since the petition was filed AND since service of summons (or first publication) — both clocks must age, so the later event controls the floor (RCW 26.09.030). File-and-sit starts only half the clock; serve promptly.
Serve a defense (the summons window)
Runtime-verified20 days from service, exclusive of the day of service · Wash. CR 4
The summons requires a defense within 20 days after service, exclusive of the day of service (CR 4) — and the rule itself says a different statute or rule can set a different time, WHICH THE SUMMONS MUST STATE. Out-of-state and publication service run longer: read the summons you were served; it controls.
Authority locked — retrieved from the hash-pinned corpus
The floor is a floor, not a promise. Ninety days from the later trigger is the earliest a decree can enter — the rest of the case controls the real date, and with children the parenting plan and mandatory worksheets set the pace. Court holiday calendars are not computed here — weekend rollover only; verify hearing-critical dates with the clerk. Legal information, not legal advice.