2005 Washington Revised Code RCW 26.21.325: Costs — Fees. (Effective until January 1, 2007.)

(1) The petitioner may not be required to pay a filing fee or other costs.

     (2) If an obligee prevails in a support enforcement proceeding, a responding tribunal may assess against an obligor filing fees, reasonable attorneys' fees, other costs, and necessary travel and other reasonable expenses incurred by the obligee and the obligee's witnesses. The tribunal in a support enforcement proceeding may not assess fees, costs, or expenses against the obligee or the support enforcement agency of either the initiating or the responding state, except as provided by RCW 4.84.080, civil rule 11 or, if the obligee or the support enforcement agency has acted in bad faith.

     (3) A responding tribunal may assess filing fees, reasonable attorneys' fees, and other costs to either party, and necessary travel and other reasonable costs incurred by the obligee and the obligee's witnesses to the obligee, in a proceeding to establish or modify support. Assessments under this section shall be made in accordance with RCW 4.84.080 and 26.09.140 and civil rule 11.

     (4) Attorneys' fees may be taxed as costs, and may be ordered paid directly to the attorney, who may enforce the order in the attorney's own name. Payment of support owed to the obligee has priority over fees, costs, and expenses.

     (5) The tribunal shall order the payment of costs and reasonable attorneys' fees if it determines that a hearing was requested primarily for delay.

[1993 c 318 § 313.]

Effective date -- 2002 c 198: See RCW 26.21A.900.