Mary Jo Heston
How Judge Heston rules, drawn from 19 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
About Judge Heston
Mary Jo Heston has served as a United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Western District of Washington since January 2017. She has chambers in Tacoma.
Judge Heston's practices and standing orders
Rules for cases before Judge Heston, as published on the court's website (checked October 11, 2026). Judges revise these often, so confirm the current version on the court's site before you file.
Key rules
Filing
For a dispositive motion, deliver one chambers copy of filed papers when filing.
“For dispositive motions: parties moving for or opposing dismissal or summary judgment shall provide 1 (one) chambers’ copy of all papers contemporaneously with each filing.”
Conferences
Heston’s Tacoma nonevidentiary hearings are in person; Vancouver calendars are by ZoomGov.
“Tacoma Motion Calendars: Non-evidentiary hearings set on the Tacoma calendar will be held in person. Requests for remote video appearances should be submitted according to the remote attendance procedures below. Vancouver Motion Calendars: All Vancouver calendars will be held via ZoomGov.”
Conferences
Request remote video attendance by a docketed letter at least 48 hours before the hearing, and obtain the judge’s approval.
“Remote Attendance: Attendance at hearings or other conferences may be by remote appearance if approved by the Judge at least 48 hours prior to the hearing/conference. Remote appearance will be by video and must be requested by letter in ECF no later than 48 hours prior to the scheduled hearing.”
Conferences
Heston permits telephone attendance only for reaffirmation hearings and in forma pauperis requests.
“Telephonic Appearance: Telephonic attendance will only be granted for Reaffirmation hearings and IFP requests.”
Conferences
Confirm contested motions, evidentiary hearings, and trials using an ECF Notice of Intent to Argue.
“Judge Heston requires confirmation of all contested motions, evidentiary hearings, and trials. Motions must be confirmed according to the timeframes found in Local Rules W.D. Wash. Bankr. 9013-1(d)(8) by submitting a ‘Notice of Intent to Argue’ through ECF in the E-Confirmation Process.”
Trial
Heston’s evidentiary hearings are in person unless the court orders otherwise in the case.
“Evidentiary hearings will be in person unless otherwise ordered by the Court on a case-by-case basis.”
Standing orders for every case in this court
Orders the court applies to all of its cases, whichever judge has them, as published on the court's website (checked October 11, 2026).
How Judge Heston decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
Stay relief to pursue appeals was appropriate where the appellate court alone could resolve the issues and the appeals were necessary to the proposed reorganization.
“The Debtors have a colorable interest in pursuing the Appeals as they have a right to appeal under Washington state law; completing the Appeals is necessary for the consummation of a plan of reorganization, and allowing the Debtors to proceed does not directly harm All Track.”
A postpetition foreclosure was void where it enforced a lien and took control of estate property in violation of the automatic stay.
“The Sale clearly constitutes an act to both enforce a lien and to take possession and control of property of the estate in violation of § 362(a)(3) and (4).”
Procedural preferences
Compensation requests were confined to services within the scope approved by the employment order.
“A professional's employment in a bankruptcy case is limited to the employment approved in the order authorizing the employment.”
Cautions
A bankruptcy claim objection was not a vehicle for collaterally attacking criminal defense costs that the debtor had not first challenged in state court.
“This Court will not engage in a collateral attack on the award of defense costs”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“Accordingly, the Court denies All Track’s Motions.”
“Accordingly, the Court grants the Debtors’ Motion.”
“Accordingly, JDL is allowed a claim of $28,837.50 under § 503(b)(3)(A) and (b)(4) and $21,916.01 under § 503(b)(3)(D) and (b)(4) for a total administrative expense claim of $50,753.51.”
“Accordingly, the Trustee’s Motion for Summary Judgment is granted as to the Trustee’s claim under § 548 to avoid the transfer of $8,500 made on February 28, 2014.”
“The Trustee's motion for sanctions is denied.”
“Therefore, the Court will discharge, pro rata, the portion of the Plaintiffs’ student loan obligations owed to the Defendants to the extent the amount owed exceeds $222,000.”
“the Application for Compensation of Farm Manager is granted in part.”
“ORDERED that the above-captioned Chapter 7 case is reopened for the purpose of administering the estate”
“Therefore, the Court overrules Bravo’s objection to the claim of ARMI.”
“Accordingly, the Court concludes that the Debtors' objection to claim is sustained in part.”
“the Trustee’s objection to exemption is overruled under the facts of this case.”
“the Court finds and concludes the Trustee’s objection is overruled”
“Ms. Hoover has established as a matter of law that she is entitled to partial summary judgment as to PHH’s, the Trust’s, and NewRez’s willful stay violations.”
“IH6’s MSJ and PHH’s MSJ are denied”
“QLS’s MSJ is granted but QLS is not yet dismissed.”
“IH6’s and PHH’s Annulment Motion is denied.”
“Cerner is awarded attorney’s fees in costs in the amount of $167,825.25, to be paid by the Debtors and Debtors’ counsel.”
“Court concludes that additional evidentiary sanctions under Fed. R. Civ. P. 37(b)(2)(A)(ii) are not necessary or warranted.”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
The five early matters were terminated and supplied no separate express contested disposition. Singh Bros remained pending and supplied two stay-relief outcomes.
Draft for Judge Heston with the record in hand
Ezel grounds your drafting and research in this profile: what has persuaded Judge Heston, and what has not, cited to the signed orders.
Opens in Ezel Pro.
- Grounded in Judge Heston's own signed orders
- Cites every source it relies on, so you can verify it
- Chat, drafting and research in one workspace