Washington State Forms 17 For Parenting Plan In Pima
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FAQ
In both Washington and Oregon, a child can only choose which parent they'd like to live with when they turn 18 or are otherwise emancipated. Minor children are not considered capable of making such decisions for themselves and are not permitted to “choose” living with one parent over another.
Sometimes, with older children who refuse visitation, it may not be considered the parent's fault if the visit didn't happen. But if a child continually refuses to follow the visitation schedule, regardless of the child's age, then a parent may decide to get the court involved through contempt proceedings.
Up to that point, however, the situation is more complex, as there is no set age at which a child can refuse visitation. Obviously, the court may take action to enforce a visitation order when one parent is interfering with the visitation rights of the other.
Many parents are encouraging their children to see the other parent, but the child refuses to do so. If a parent is preventing visits, the judge can enforce the visitation order or even hold the parent in contempt.
However as long as both parents are mutual agreement, and there is no concern for the child's safety, then yes a notarized custody agreement reached between both parents would generally be honored by the Family Court.
In Washington state, if you are in a situation where the other parent to your child is not following the parenting plan in bad faith, then your recourse is to file a contempt action in court.
Generally, in most US states, including California, you don't need a lawyer to start a custody case. This is because you have the right of self-representation in court. You may agree if you and your ex-partner are willing to work out your differences.
Mothers historically have won more custody battles due to traditional roles and perceptions of mothers as the primary caregivers. However, this trend is changing as courts increasingly focus on the best interests of the child, considering many factors beyond traditional roles.
When one parent refuses to or is incapable of co-parenting with the other parent, it could be grounds for sole custody. Both parents are expected to communicate and cooperate with each other to make decisions for their child, without allowing their personal conflicts to get in the way.
