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Response Petition Form

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Response to Petition to Withdraw (Rescind) Paternity Acknowledgment or Denial

Superior Court of Washington, County of

In re parentage:

Petitioner (person who started this case):

And Respondent/s: (other person/s who signed the Acknowledgment or Denial)

No.

1. Your response

Look at each section of the Petition. Check below to say if you agree or disagree with what the other party said in each section, or say if you don’t know because you don’t have enough information. (If you disagree with any part of a section, check “I disagree.”) List your reasons for disagreeing on page 2.

Section in the Petition
Your response (check one)
1. I ask the court to withdraw (rescind)...
2. Parties to this case
3. Correct County (Venue)
4. Personal Jurisdiction
5. Effective Date
6. Withdrawal Deadline
7. Parentage Petition
8. Child Support
9. Protection Order
10. Restraining Order

If you checked “I disagree” for any of the sections, list your reasons here:

2. Protection Order

Do you want the court to issue an Order for Protection as part of the final orders in this case?

There already is an Order for Protection between (name): and me. (Describe):

Court that issued the order

Court that issued the order:

Case number:

Expiration date:

3. Restraining order

Do you want the court to issue a Restraining Order as part of the final orders in this case?

• Not to assault, harass, stalk or molest me or the child; and

• Not to use, try to use, or threaten to use physical force against me or the child that would reasonably be expected to cause bodily injury.

Warning! If the court makes this order, the court must consider if weapons restrictions are required by state law; federal law may also prohibit the Restrained Person from possessing firearms or ammunition.

• Not to possess or obtain any firearms, other dangerous weapons, or concealed pistol license until the Order ends, and

• To surrender any firearms, other dangerous weapons, and any concealed pistol license that he/she possesses to (check one): . . (name): .

4. Requests

I ask the court to (check all that apply):

The Paternity Acknowledgment and Denial, if any, are still valid because (check all that apply):

(Check all that apply):

Acknowledgment / Denial of Paternity

Child’s Name and Birth Certificate

Change the child’s birth certificate so:

The child’s last name is changed to: .

Protection or Restraining Order

Fees / Other

Respondent fills out below:

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the state of Washington that the facts I have provided on this form (including any attachments) are true.

pages.

Signed at (city and state):

Respondent signs here

Date:

Print name

I agree to accept legal papers for this case at (check one):

street address or PO box

city state zip

(Optional) email:

If this address changes before the case ends, you must notify all parties and the court clerk in writing. You may use the Notice of Address Change form (FL All Family 120).

Important! You must fill out and file a Confidential Information form (FL All Family 001) with the court clerk.

Lawyer (if any) fills out below:

Lawyer signs here

Lawyer’s address

Email (if applicable):

Print name and WSBA No.

Date

city state zip

Enter text✕
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What the Response Petition Form Is and when it’s used

A Response Petition Form is a formal written reply filed by a respondent or defendant to address allegations or requests made in an initiating petition. It restates the case caption, admits or denies factual allegations, raises affirmative defenses, and may assert counterclaims or motions. Courts use the response to set the factual and legal boundaries for subsequent pleadings, discovery, and hearings. Accuracy, proper service, and adherence to local civil or family procedure rules determine whether the response is accepted and how the case proceeds in court.

Why completing a clear Response Petition Form matters

A properly prepared response preserves rights, avoids default, and frames issues for the court. It allows the respondent to present defenses, request relief, and preserve procedural objections. Timely, accurate responses reduce the risk of sanctions or adverse rulings and support efficient case management.

Why completing a clear Response Petition Form matters

Who typically prepares or signs a Response Petition Form

Correct role identification ensures the form is signed and filed by an authorized party and that service rules are followed.

  • Self-represented litigants who must respond to a petition without an attorney and follow local court procedures.
  • Defense attorneys and legal representatives who draft pleadings, assert affirmative defenses, and manage filings.
  • Process servers or court clerks who confirm service and procedural compliance before filing the response.

Step-by-step: completing and filing the Response Petition Form

Follow these sequential actions to prepare a compliant response, serve opposing parties, and file with the court.

  • 01
    Review Petition: Read each allegation and note deadlines.
  • 02
    Draft Response: Address numbered allegations and include defenses.
  • 03
    Sign and Date: Have authorized signer execute the document.
  • 04
    Serve & File: Serve opposite parties and file with clerk per local rules.

Where the Response Petition Form goes after you complete it

After signing, the form generally must be served on all parties and then filed with the appropriate court clerk according to local civil procedure rules.

  • Opposing Parties: Deliver copies by permitted service methods.
  • Court Clerk: File original or electronic copy per local rules.
  • Judge’s Chambers: Occasionally required for ex parte motions or sealed materials.
  • Case File: Court docket reflects filing and service dates.

How to configure an online workflow for responses

Set up routing, signature requirements, and retention settings before sending the form to signers.

Field Configuration
Signature Field Require signer signature and date
Authentication Email link or SMS code
Routing Order Sequential or parallel as needed
Retention Policy Set archival duration and access roles

Digital signing and e-submission considerations

Ensure the platform can export a certified audit trail and that the court accepts electronic submissions in the specified format.

  • Document Formats: Support for PDF and DOCX
  • Authentication Options: Email, SMS, or advanced methods
  • Audit Trail: Capture timestamps and IP addresses

Common timing rules and deadlines to watch

Timing varies by court and petition type; verify local rules. Typical deadlines below illustrate common schedules but are not exhaustive.

Service Response Window:

Often 20–30 days from service; check local rule

Emergency Motions:

Filed immediately; hearing scheduled per local calendar

Extension Requests:

Seek court leave before deadline if allowed

Filing Receipt:

Court docket date establishes timeliness

Record Retention:

Keep filed copies per retention rules

Key milestones from petition receipt to hearing

A typical sequential timeline includes receipt, drafting, service, filing, and hearing events to track for compliance.

01

Receipt of Petition

Date the petition was served on respondent.

02

Draft Response

Prepare and review assertions and defenses.

03

Serve Response

Serve opposing parties per allowed methods.

04

Hearing or Status

Court schedules the next event based on filings.

Practical tips for accurate and efficient completion

Apply these best practices to reduce errors, preserve rights, and streamline filing.

Use consistent names and captions
Confirm party names and docket details match the initiating petition exactly to avoid clerical rejection and ensure correct service and identity matching for TINs or court records.
Address each allegation numerically
Respond to each numbered allegation directly—admit, deny, or state lack of knowledge—to keep the record clear and avoid unintended admissions during discovery.
Document service carefully
Keep proof of service (affidavit or return receipt) and attach or retain copies; service disputes commonly trigger procedural motions and can affect timeliness.
Preserve supporting evidence
Attach exhibits or reference documents with exhibit labels; maintain original files and a reproducible electronic copy for court or opposing counsel review.

Common mistakes when preparing a Response Petition Form

  • Missing the filing deadline and failing to request an extension can result in default judgments against the respondent.
  • Using vague affirmative defenses without factual support exposes the respondent to motion practice and dismissal of weak defenses.
  • Failing to serve all required parties correctly often leads to motion practice and potential delays in the proceeding.
  • Submitting inconsistent party names, addresses, or incorrect docket numbers causes clerical rejections and processing delays at the clerk’s office.

Potential penalties and risks for incomplete or late responses

Default Judgment: May be entered
Sanctions: Court may impose monetary penalties
Dismissal Risk: Defenses may be stricken
Loss of Rights: Procedural or substantive claims lost
Evidentiary Limits: Late evidence may be excluded
Increased Costs: Fees and attorney expenses rise

Security, privacy, and compliance considerations

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest
HIPAA Compliance: Available with BAA where required
Audit Trail: Timestamps, IP addresses, and action logs
Certifications: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001
21 CFR Part 11: Support for FDA-regulated records
Data Privacy: GDPR and CCPA-aligned controls

Essential components to include in every Response Petition Form

A complete response contains defined sections enabling the court to identify parties, disputed facts, and legal arguments; include all standard elements below.

Caption

Court name, case number, and party names placed at the top to ensure proper docketing and clerk identification of the case.

Admissions/Denials

Numbered responses corresponding to petition allegations clarifying which statements you accept, contest, or lack information to verify.

Affirmative Defenses

Clearly articulated defenses (for example, statute of limitations or payment) supported by brief factual or legal rationale.

Counterclaims

If asserting counterclaims, describe the claim, relief sought, and jurisdictional basis; include any required filing fees.

Relief Requested

Specify any relief the respondent seeks, such as dismissal, costs, or alternative relief, with concise legal grounding.

Signature

Authorized signature, printed name, title (if applicable), address, and date. Electronic signature accepted only if court rules permit.

Illustrative examples of when to use a Response Petition Form

These case examples show typical scenarios where a formal response is necessary and how it affects case progression.

Civil Dispute Example

A homeowner receives a contractor's petition alleging unpaid invoices and files a response denying breach

  • Response cites payment records and requests dismissal
  • The timely, documented response preserves dispute-resolution rights and moves the case toward discovery and mediation.

Family Law Example

A respondent receives a custody petition and submits a response contesting jurisdiction and alleging different facts

  • Response requests temporary hearing and proposes parenting plan
  • The response defines contested issues and triggers scheduling and disclosure obligations under local family court rules.

eSignature vendor pricing and feature comparison for filing and signing forms

Basic vendor pricing and common feature indicators to consider when choosing a platform for signing and routing Response Petition Forms.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial Yes, 7-day trial Yes, trial available Yes, trial available Yes, limited trial Yes, limited trial
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Frequently asked questions about Response Petition Forms

Answers to common questions about timing, e-signatures, notarization, and correcting filed responses.


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