Adequate Cause Hearing

Fill out your court forms. Have your forms reviewed. Make at least 2 copies of all your forms. File your forms with the court clerk. Get your court date or mediation date. Serve your papers on the other parent. File your Proof of Service.

Physical Relocation. The noncustodial parent can reach out to the court to modify custody if the custodial parent moves. One Parent Refuses to Follow the Custody Terms. The Child's Needs Have Changed. A Parent's Situation Has Changed. The Child Is in Danger. 9 Secrets the Insurance Adjuster Doesn't Want You to Know.

You will usually file a parentage case or a petition for a parenting plan. If the parents agree on a proposed Parenting Plan, the court will usually approve it. If you do not agree, the court will enter a Parenting Plan after a hearing or trial.

If you can demonstrate to the court that the child's needs have changed, you may have grounds for a custody modification. If a child develops a mental, emotional, or physical disorder, and one parent is better suited to care for the child, that could also provide a reason for a judge to change custody.

Final Parenting Orders are never final if there is a significant change in circumstances that warrants a party to request the Court to vary or change in the arrangements. Final Parenting Orders are able to be varied if the appropriate circumstances exist.

The legal definition of an unfit parent is when the parent through their conduct fails to provide proper guidance, care, or support. Also, if there is abuse, neglect, or substance abuse issues, that parent will be deemed unfit.

A parent seeking to modify custody in Washington must file legal forms with the court, including a Petition for Modification of Adjustment of Child Custody Decree/Parenting Plan. The petition should specify what kinds of custody changes the parent is seeking.

A temporary parenting plan or custody agreement contains information about where your child will live and how you and the other parent will care for your child during the divorce proceedings. A temporary plan lasts until the divorce is finalized and the permanent parenting plan is in place, usually one to six months.