(a) Requirements.(1) Generally. In all actions tried upon the facts without a jury or with an advisory jury, the court shall find the facts specially and state separately its conclusions of law. Judgment shall be entered pursuant to rule 58 and may be entered at the same time as the entry of the findings of fact and the conclusions of law.(2) Specifically Required. Without in any way limiting the requirements of subsection (1), findings and conclusions are required:
(A) Temporary injunctions. In granting or refusing temporary injunctions.(B) Domestic relations. In connection with all final decisions in adoption, custody, and divorce proceedings, whether heard ex parte or not. In all cases in which the court makes specific findings of physical or sexual abuse or exploitation of a child the court shall direct the court clerk to notify the state patrol of the findings pursuant to RCW 43.43.840.(C) Other. In connection with any other decision where findings and conclusions are specifically required by statute, by another rule, or by a local rule of the superior court.(3) Proposed. Requests for proposed findings of fact are not necessary for review.(4) Form. If a written opinion or memorandum of decision is filed, it will be sufficient if formal findings of fact and conclusions of law are included.(5) When Unnecessary. Findings of fact and conclusions of law are not necessary:
(A) Stipulation. Where all parties stipulate in writing that there will be no appeal.(B) Decision on motions. On decisions of motions under rules 12 or 56 or any other motion, except as provided in rules 41(b)(3) and 55(b)(2).(C) Temporary restraining orders. On the issuance of temporary restraining orders issued ex parte.(b) Amendment of Findings. Upon motion of a party filed not later than 10 days after entry of judgment the court may amend its findings or make additional findings and may amend the judgment accordingly. The motion may be made with a motion for a new trial pursuant to rule 59. When findings of fact are made in actions tried by the court without a jury, the question of the sufficiency of evidence to support the findings may thereafter be raised whether or not the party raising the question has made in the court an objection to such findings or has made a motion to amend them or a motion for judgment.(c) Presentation. Unless an emergency is shown to exist, or a party has failed to appear at a hearing or trial, the court shall not sign findings of fact or conclusions of law until the defeated party or parties have received 5 days’ notice of the time and place of the submission, and have been served with copies of the proposed findings and conclusions. Persons who have failed to appear at a hearing or trial after notice, may, in the discretion of the trial court, be deemed to have waived their right to notice of presentation or previous review of the proposed findings and conclusions.(d) Judgment Without Findings, etc. A judgment entered in a case tried to the court where findings are required, without findings of fact having been made, is subject to a motion to vacate within the time for the taking of an appeal. After vacation, the judgment shall not be reentered until findings are entered pursuant to this rule.(e) Time Limit for Decision. (Reserved. See RCW 2.08.240.)
Wash. Sup. Ct. Civ. R. 52
[Amended effective September 1, 1985;January 1, 1988;September 1, 2005.]
