Wash. Admi. And. Prac. R. reg. 2

As amended through November 7, 2024

Regulation 2 - APPROVED PRACTICE AREAS-SCOPE OF PRACTICE AUTHORIZED BY LIMITED LICENSE LEGAL TECHNICIAN RULE

In each practice area in which an LLLT is licensed, the LLLT shall comply with the provisions defining the scope of practice as found in APR 28 and as described herein.

A. Issues Beyond the Scope of Authorized Practice.

An LLLT has an affirmative duty under APR 28(F) to inform clients when issues arise that are beyond the authorized scope of the LLLT's practice. When an affirmative duty under APR 28(F) arises, then the LLLT shall inform the client in writing that:

1. the issue may exist, describing in general terms the nature of the issue;

2. the LLLT is not authorized to advise or assist on this issue;

3. the failure to obtain a lawyer's advice could be adverse to the client's interests; and

4. the client should consult with a lawyer to obtain appropriate advice and documents necessary to protect the client's interests.

After an issue beyond the LLLT's scope of practice has been identified, if the client engages a lawyer with respect to the issue, then an LLLT may prepare a document related to the issue only if a lawyer acting on behalf of the client has provided appropriate documents and written instructions for the LLLT as to whether and how to proceed with respect to the issue. If the client does not engage a lawyer with respect to the issue, then the LLLT may prepare documents that relate to the issue if

the client informs the LLLT how the issue is to be determined and instructs the LLLT how to complete the relevant portions of the document, and

above the LLLT's signature at the end of the document, the LLLT inserts a statement to the effect that the LLLT did not advise the client with respect to any issue outside of the LLLT's scope of practice and completed any portions of the document with respect to any such issues at the direction of the client.

B.Domestic Relations.

1.Domestic Relations, Defined. For the purposes of these Regulations, domestic relations shall include only the following actions:

(a) divorce and dissolution,

(b) parenting and support,

(c) parentage or paternity,

(d) child support modification,

(e) parenting plan modification,

(f) domestic violence protection orders,

(g) committed intimate relationships only as they pertain to parenting and support issues,

(h) legal separation,

(i) agreed or default minor guardianships,

(j) other protection or restraining orders arising from a domestic relations case, and

(k) relocation.

2.Scope of Practice for LLLT's-Domestic Relations. LLLTs licensed in domestic relations may render legal services to clients as provided in APR 28(F) and this regulation, except as prohibited by APR 28(H) and Regulation 2(B).

(a) Unless an issue beyond the scope arises or a prohibited act would be required, LLLTs may advise and assist clients with initiating and responding to actions and related motions, discovery, trial preparation, temporary and final orders, and modifications of orders.

(b) LLLT legal services regarding the division of real property shall be limited to matters where the real property is a single family residential dwelling with owner equity less than or equal to twice the homestead exemption (seeRCW 6.13.030). LLLTs shall use the form for real property division as approved by the LLLT Board.

(c) LLLTs may advise as to the allocation of retirement assets for defined contribution plans with a value less than the homestead exemption, and as provided in United States Internal Revenue Code (IRC) sections 401a; 401k; 403b; 457; and Individual Retirement Accounts as set forth in IRC section 408.

(d) LLLTs may include language in a decree of dissolution awarding retirement assets as described in APR 28 Regulation 2(B)(2)(c) when the respondent defaults, when the parties agree on the award, or when the court awards the assets following trial. The award language in the decree shall identify (1) the party responsible for having the qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) or supplemental order prepared and by whom, (2) how the cost of the QDRO or supplemental order preparation is to be paid, (3) by what date the QDRO or supplemental order must be prepared, and (4) the remedy for failure to follow through with preparation of the QDRO or supplemental order.

(e) LLLTs may prepare paper work and accompany and assist clients in dispute resolution proceedings including mediation, arbitration, and settlement conferences where not prohibited by the rules and procedures of the forum.

(f) LLLTs, when accompanying their clients, may assist and confer with their pro se clients at depositions.

(g) LLLTs may present to a court agreed orders, uncontested orders, default orders, and accompanying documents.

(h) LLLTs, when accompanying their clients, may assist and confer with their pro se clients and respond to direct questions from the court or tribunal regarding factual and procedural issues at the hearings listed below:

i. domestic violence protection orders and other protection or restraining orders arising from a domestic relations case;

ii. motions for temporary orders, including but not limited to temporary parenting plans, child support, maintenance, and orders to show cause;

iii. enforcement of domestic relations orders;

iv. administrative child support;

v. modification of child support;

vi. adequate cause hearings for parenting plan modifications;

vii. reconsiderations or revisions;

viii. trial setting calendar proceedings with or without the client when the LLLT has confirmed the available dates of the client in writing in advance of the proceeding;

ix. agreed or default minor guardianships.

3.Prohibited Acts. In addition to the prohibitions set forth in APR 28(H), in the course of rendering legal services to clients or prospective clients, LLLTs licensed to practice in domestic relations:

a. shall not render legal services to more than one party in any domestic relations matter;

b. shall not render legal services in:

i. defacto parentage actions;

ii. actions that involve 25 U.S.C. chapter 21, the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, or chapter 13.38 RCW, the Washington State Indian Child Welfare Act;

iii. division or conveyance of formal business entities, commercial property, or residential real property except as permitted by Regulation 2(B);

iv. preparation of QDROs and supplemental orders dividing retirement assets beyond what is prescribed in Regulation 2(B)(2)(d);

v. any retirement assets whereby the decree effectuates the division or the implementation of the division of the asset;

vi. bankruptcy, including obtaining a stay from bankruptcy;

vii. disposition of debts and assets, if one party is in bankruptcy or files a bankruptcy during the pendency of the proceeding, unless:

(a) the LLLT's client has retained a lawyer to represent him/her in the bankruptcy,

(b) the client has consulted with a lawyer and the lawyer has provided written instructions for the LLLT as to whether and how to proceed regarding the division of debts and assets in the domestic relations proceeding, or

(c) the bankruptcy has been discharged;

viii. property issues in committed intimate relationship actions;

ix. major parenting plan modifications beyond the adequate cause hearing unless the terms are agreed to by the parties or one party defaults;

x. the determination of Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act issues under chapter 26.27 RCW or Uniform Interstate Family Support Act issues under chapter 26.21A RCW unless and until jurisdiction has been resolved;

xi. objections or responses in contested relocation actions; and

xii. final revised parenting plans in relocation actions except in the event of default or where the terms have been agreed to by the parties.

Wash. Admi. And. Prac. R. reg. 2

Amended effective 7/11/2024.