Parenting Plan Creation

In 1987 our Legislature passed a major reform of family law. The concept of one parent having custody and the other having visitation was ended in favor or each parent having residential time. Instead of having a brief order noting custody and visitation the Legislature found that families should, for the children’s sake, make care plans for how to care for the children. By spelling out the details, they hoped that families would need fewer trips to court.

If you have children you must have a Parenting Plan.

A temporary plan is needed early in the process and a final Plan is adopted in the end. The plans detail the division of residential time, holidays, special occasions and vacations and then address parental duties, transportation, dispute resolution.

Parents need not follow this plan terms. They can agree to other methods but if a problem develops then the written terms should be followed.

If parents wish to change a term it must be done in writing with the same formality by which a parenting plan is made. parenting plans also focus on a number of behaviors (domestic violence, addiction, abusive use of conflict, etc) that limit the capacity to parent.

If such grounds are found then parenting can be restricted. Some parents see this as a challenge to change troublesome behaviors and they succeed in removing the limits. Instead of declaring the parent “unfit” the law focuses upon the behaviors that make the parent unfit and thus gives the parent a strong incentive to reform themselves.

LINKS TO INFORMATION ON WASHINGTON DIVORCE

If you have any questions about your own particular situation relating to WA divorce laws or getting a divorce in Washington, please don’t hesitate to reach out for your own free consultation.

Kydd Family Law – “Family Focus”

Our firm focuses upon the life cycle of family needs such as:

* Divorce / * Mediation / * Collaboration /
* Litigation & Arbitration / * Psychological & Financial Planning

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Call: 206-624-2329