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Show Cause Form

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Order on Show Cause re Contempt/Judgment (ORCN)

Superior Court of Washington

County of

In re the Marriage of:

Petitioner,

and

Respondent.

No.

Order on Show Cause re Contempt/Judgment (ORCN)

Next Hearing Date:

Clerk’s Action Required, ¶ 3.8

I. Judgment Summary

Does not apply.

Judgment summary is as follows:

A. Judgment creditor

B. Judgment debtor

C. Principal judgment amount (back support/maintenance) $ from to

D. Interest to date of judgment $

E. Attorney fees $

F. Costs $

G. Other recovery amount $

H. Principal judgment shall bear interest at % per annum

I. Attorney fees, costs and other recovery amounts shall bear interest at % per annum

J. Attorney for judgment creditor

K. Attorney for judgment debtor

L. Other:

II. Findings and Conclusions

This Court Finds:

2.1 Compliance With Court Order

did comply intentionally failed to comply with a lawful order of the court dated

2.2 Nature of Order

The order is related to child support spousal maintenance parenting plan (custody/visitation) a restraining order.

2.3 How the Order was Violated

The order was not violated.

This order was violated in the following manner (include dates and times, and amounts, if any):

2.4 Past Ability to Comply With Order

had did not have the ability to comply with the order as follows:

2.5 Present Ability and Willingness to Comply With Order

has does not have the present ability to comply with the order as follows:

has does not have the present willingness to comply with the order as follows:

2.6 Back Support/Maintenance

Back support/maintenance is not addressed in the contempt motion.

No back support or maintenance is owed.

failed to pay the other party the sum of $ for maintenance/support and interest to date in the amount of $ for the period from through

Other:

2.7 Compliance With Parenting Plan

Does not apply.

has complied, and is presently willing to comply, with the parenting plan.

has not complied with

the residential (visitation) provisions of the parenting plan and had the ability to comply with the parenting plan, and is presently unwilling to comply. The noncompliance with the residential provisions was was not in bad faith.

decision making provisions of the parenting plan and had the ability to comply with the parenting plan, and is presently unwilling to comply.

dispute resolution provisions of the parenting plan and had the ability to comply with the parenting plan, and is presently unwilling to comply.

Other:

2.8 Attorney Fees and Costs

Does not apply.

The attorney fees and costs awarded in paragraph 3.7 below have been incurred and are reasonable.

III. Order and Judgment

It is Ordered:

3.1 Contempt Ruling

is is not in contempt of court.

3.2 Imprisonment

Does not apply.

is to be confined in the County Jail.

Confinement shall commence immediately and shall continue until or until the contempt is purged as set forth in paragraph 3.6 below, in which case the contemnor shall be released immediately.

Confinement is suspended as follows:

Other:

3.3 Additional Residential Time

Does not apply.

shall have additional residential time as follows:

3.4 Judgment for Past Child Support

Does not apply.

No judgment for past child support was requested.

shall have judgment against in the amount of $ and for unpaid child support arrearages $ interest thereon for the period from through

3.5 Judgment for Past Spousal Maintenance

Does not apply.

shall have judgment against in the amount of $ for unpaid spousal maintenance arrearages and $ interest thereon for the period from through

3.6 Conditions for Purging the Contempt

Does not apply.

The contemnor may purge the contempt as follows:

3.7 Attorney Fees and Costs

Does not apply.

shall have judgment against in the amount of $ for attorney fees and $ for costs.

3.8 Review Date

Does not apply.

The court shall review this matter on at .

3.9 Other

3.10 Summary of RCW 26.09.430 - .480, Regarding Relocation of a Child

This is a summary only. For the full text, please see RCW 26.09.430 through 26.09.480.

If the person with whom the child resides a majority of the time plans to move, that person shall give notice to every person entitled to court ordered time with the child.

If the move is outside the child’s school district, the relocating person must give notice by personal service or by mail requiring a return receipt. This notice must be at least 60 days before the intended move. If the relocating person could not have known about the move in time to give 60 days’ notice, that person must give notice within 5 days after learning of the move. The notice must contain the information required in RCW 26.09.440. See also form DRPSCU 07.0500, (Notice of Intended Relocation of A Child).

If the move is within the same school district, the relocating person must provide actual notice by any reasonable means. A person entitled to time with the child may not object to the move but may ask for modification under RCW 26.09.260.

Notice may be delayed for 21 days if the relocating person is entering a domestic violence shelter or is moving to avoid a clear, immediate and unreasonable risk to health and safety.

If information is protected under a court order or the address confidentiality program, it may be withheld from the notice.

A relocating person may ask the court to waive any notice requirements that may put the health and safety of a person or a child at risk.

Failure to give the required notice may be grounds for sanctions, including contempt.

If no objection is filed within 30 days after service of the notice of intended relocation, the relocation will be permitted and the proposed revised residential schedule may be confirmed.

A person entitled to time with a child under a court order can file an objection to the child’s relocation whether or not he or she received proper notice.

An objection may be filed by using the mandatory pattern form WPF DRPSCU 07.0700, (Objection to Relocation/Petition for Modification of Custody Decree/Parenting Plan/Residential Schedule). The objection must be served on all persons entitled to time with the child.

The relocating person shall not move the child during the time for objection unless: (a) the delayed notice provisions apply; or (b) a court order allows the move.

If the objecting person schedules a hearing for a date within 15 days of timely service of the objection, the relocating person shall not move the child before the hearing unless there is a clear, immediate and unreasonable risk to the health or safety of a person or a child.

Warning: Violation of residential provisions of this order with actual knowledge of its terms is punishable by contempt of court and may be a criminal offense under RCW 9A.40.060(2) or 9A.40.070(2). Violation of this order may subject a violator to arrest.

Dated:

Signature of Party or Lawyer/WSBA No.

Print or Type Name

Judge/Commissioner

Approved for entry:

Notice of presentation waived:

Print or Type Name

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What a Show Cause Form Is and Where It’s Used

A Show Cause Form is a written notice requiring an individual or party to explain or justify an action, omission, or behavior that may lead to corrective or disciplinary action. Common in employment, academic, licensing, and regulatory contexts, the form sets out the alleged issue, the factual basis, and a deadline to respond. It documents the institution’s concerns, creates a record of notice, and provides the recipient an opportunity to present facts or mitigation before a final decision is made.

Why Use a Show Cause Form as Part of Due Process

A Show Cause Form creates a clear, auditable record of allegations and response rights, protecting both the issuing body and the recipient by documenting notice, timing, and opportunity to respond.

Why Use a Show Cause Form as Part of Due Process

Who Typically Issues or Responds to a Show Cause Form

Organizations and individuals use show cause procedures when formal written justification is needed before taking adverse action.

  • Employers and HR teams assessing alleged policy violations or performance issues requiring formal response and documentation.
  • Academic institutions and conduct offices issuing notices for student discipline, academic integrity, or probationary concerns.
  • Licensing boards, regulators, and professional associations seeking written explanations before sanctions or license actions.

The form helps ensure consistent process, preserves evidence, and supports defensible outcomes when followed against institutional policy.

Core Elements to Include in a Professional Show Cause Form

A compliant form should be clear about the allegation, required response, timeline, potential consequences, and where to send the reply. Use neutral language and preserve a copy for the institutional record.

Parties

Identify the issuing authority and the recipient by full legal name, title, department, and contact information to avoid ambiguity.

Allegation

Describe the specific conduct, dates, locations, and factual basis concisely so the recipient can meaningfully respond without guesswork.

Relevant Policy

Cite the exact policy, code section, or rule alleged to have been violated so the recipient understands the standard at issue.

Requested Response

State what the recipient must provide (written explanation, supporting documents, witness names) and format preferences.

Deadline

Specify a clear deadline in MM/DD/YYYY format and whether extensions are permitted; explain how late responses will be handled.

Consequences

Summarize potential outcomes (discipline, suspension, revocation, termination) and the decision-making authority that will act after review.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete and Issue a Show Cause Form

Use a consistent workflow: draft, review, serve, and record the response to preserve due process and documentation integrity.

  • 01
    Draft Notice: Prepare concise allegation text and cite relevant policy so the recipient can respond appropriately.
  • 02
    Internal Review: Have HR, legal, or compliance review for fairness and clarity before issuing to reduce legal exposure.
  • 03
    Serve Notice: Deliver via approved method (in-person, registered mail, or secure eSubmission) and record delivery details.
  • 04
    Record Response: Save the reply, attachments, and audit trail for the official file and any future appeals processes.

Configuring an Online Show Cause Workflow

Set up fields, routing, and retention rules before sending to ensure consistency and privacy protections.

Field Configuration
Response Deadline Auto-calc dates from notice date; enforce read-only after send.
Signer Authentication Email link or SMS code for recipient; optional multi-factor for sensitive cases.
Routing Route replies to HR/compliance with role-based access and notification rules.
Retention Apply retention policy and secure storage for audit and legal holds.

Typical Filing and Response Flow for a Show Cause Process

A standard sequence minimizes disputes by documenting each step from issuing to final decision and preserving the audit trail.

  • Issue Notice: The issuing office drafts and sends the Show Cause Form to the identified recipient.
  • Acknowledge Receipt: Recipient confirms receipt (email or signed acknowledgment) to start the response clock.
  • Submit Response: Recipient provides written explanation and supporting documents by the stated deadline.
  • Decision & Record: Decision-makers review materials, decide, and place findings and outcome in the official file.

Technical Options for eSubmission and Electronic Records

Choose a secure eSubmission channel that preserves an immutable audit trail and meets any regulatory privacy requirements.

  • Supported Formats: PDF and DOCX for source documents; platforms should export a signed PDF with an audit report.
  • Authentication: Email, SMS code, or stronger methods such as knowledge-based or SSO depending on sensitivity.
  • Integrations: Connectors to HRIS, case management, or document storage (Salesforce, Google Drive, NetSuite) speed routing and retention.

Preserve the signing certificate, timestamps, and delivery metadata as the official record of notice and response.

Comparing eSignature Vendors for Show Cause Workflows

Basic comparison of common capability and pricing dimensions for eSignature vendors; signNow appears first per vendor ordering rules.

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 7-day trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Typical Deadlines and Response Expectations

Institutions set response periods to balance expedience and fairness. Commonly used timelines are below, but always confirm the specific policy that governs the case.

Immediate Acknowledgment:

Acknowledge receipt within 1–3 business days to confirm service and start the response clock.

Initial Response Window:

Commonly 3–14 business days for a written explanation; shorter or longer windows may be set by policy.

Extension Requests:

Allowable extensions and procedures should be stated; institutions frequently require written extension requests.

Decision Timeline:

Decision timelines vary; some policies set a 30–60 day review period after response closure.

Appeal Period:

If appeals are allowed, the timeframe is typically 7–30 calendar days from final decision.

Key Milestones in a Show Cause Case

A milestone view helps track critical dates from notice issuance through final record retention and potential appeal.

01

Notice Issued

Form served and official start date recorded; delivery method logged for proof.

02

Response Due

Recipient must submit explanation and documents by the stated deadline.

03

Review Period

Designated reviewers evaluate materials, possibly interview parties or witnesses.

04

Final Determination

Decision recorded and outcome communicated in writing to all relevant parties.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing a Show Cause Form

  • Using vague allegations that lack dates, locations, or specific conduct makes a response difficult and increases disputes.
  • Failing to state the response deadline in MM/DD/YYYY format creates ambiguity and can invalidate the timeline.
  • Omitting the decision-maker or appeal process reduces procedural fairness and can expose the issuer to legal challenge.
  • Not preserving delivery evidence (email headers, registered mail receipts, signed acknowledgments) weakens proof of service.

Consequences and Risks of an Inadequate or Incorrect Form

Disciplinary Action: May include suspension, probation, or termination depending on policy.
Lost Appeal Rights: Procedural defects can forfeit appeal opportunities or require re-notice.
Regulatory Exposure: Incorrect process can trigger external complaints or sanctions.
Legal Challenge: Poor documentation increases the risk of litigation or administrative review.
Confidentiality Breach: Improper handling of private information may violate privacy laws.
Reputational Harm: Public disputes stemming from process failures can damage institutional trust.

Essential Data Elements to Protect and Record

Personal Identifiers: Name, employee or student ID, and contact details
Allegation Details: Dates, times, locations, and factual statements
Response Documents: Submitted explanations, attachments, and witness statements
Delivery Metadata: Timestamps, IP addresses, and receipt confirmations
Decision Record: Final determination, rationale, and appeal instructions
Retention Flags: Legal holds, confidentiality levels, and destruction dates

Two Practical Use Cases for a Show Cause Form

Illustrative scenarios show how the form functions in different operational settings.

University Conduct Case

A student is alleged to have violated the academic code and is issued a Show Cause Form describing the incident and requesting a written response within the policy period.

  • The student submits a written account and evidence.
  • The conduct board reviews the submission, interviews witnesses, issues a determination, and retains all records for appeals and accreditation review.

Workplace Performance Case

An employee receives a Show Cause Form for repeated policy breaches with documented instances and dates and is invited to explain.

  • The employee provides mitigation and corrective action plans.
  • HR evaluates the response, decides on any disciplinary measures, documents the outcome, and logs the file for potential future disputes.

Practical Tips to Prepare Clear, Effective Show Cause Forms

Follow these practices to improve fairness, reduce disputes, and strengthen institutional records.

Be Specific and Concise
Include precise dates, locations, and factual descriptions. Avoid conclusory language; provide the recipient with the exact facts they must address to respond effectively.
Document Delivery
Use traceable delivery methods and keep proof of service. For electronic delivery, preserve timestamps, IP logs, and the signed audit trail.
Preserve Confidentiality
Limit access to case files, redact irrelevant personal data, and follow privacy obligations such as FERPA or HIPAA when applicable.
Provide Clear Instructions
State the response format, required attachments, where to send materials, and the consequences of non-response in accessible language.

Who Can Sign or Authorize a Show Cause Form

Authorized Officer

Typically an HR director, department head, compliance officer, or a delegated official signs to issue the notice. This person should have documented authority under institutional policy to commence disciplinary procedures and to receive responses.

Recipient or Representative

The recipient signs or acknowledges receipt. In some cases, an authorized representative or counsel may submit the formal response on behalf of the recipient, provided the institution accepts representation.

FAQs: Common Questions About Show Cause Forms

Answers to frequent questions about form validity, timing, electronic signatures, and recordkeeping to reduce confusion during issuance and response.


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