Parenting Plans Washington

Primarily, Washington State determines custody based on the best interests or welfare of the child. Washington State expects parents to present a parenting plan prior to a custody hearing. The court will either approve the plan or not.

A Parenting Plan is a court order that sets forth the amount of time that a child will spend with each parent (the residential schedule), the method for resolving disputes between the parents, and whether one or both parents will make major decisions about the child.

Step 1: Understand your child's best interests. Step 2: Choose a parenting schedule that works. Step 3: Have a plan for communication. Step 4: Know how you will make big decisions and handle legal custody. Step 5: Go over your child's finances. Step 6: Maintain your goals.

In Washington, unmarried fathers have access to the same parenting rights as mothers, but they must first establish paternity.Once paternity is taken care of, a Parenting Plan is usually the best way to make parenting rights and responsibilities clear.

In Washington, unmarried fathers have access to the same parenting rights as mothers, but they must first establish paternity. This is a legal process meant to establish that a man is the biological father of a child.

The costs involved in establishing a parenting plan include a filing fee of $200-$250, photocopying fees, and (possibly) fees for service (delivering the papers to the other parent or other parties). If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may use a special form which may let you file without paying the filing fee.

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.

A standard parenting plan is a fluid document that is intended to grow and change with your family as you strive to provide a loving, stable environment for your children.

Filing a Petition to Change Your Parenting Plan, Residential Schedule, or Custody Order has forms and instructions. You can get it and other info online at www.washingtonlawhelp.org. You may also get the court forms at http://www.courts.wa.gov/forms/ or ask the family law facilitator, if your county has one.