Washington State Child Custody

Increasingly, whether parents are married or not, the courts recognize the importance of keeping both parents in a child’s life. It’s rare to award one parent total control. That usually only occurs in cases of abuse or neglect, where health and safety are in jeopardy.

In Washington, the parenting plan usually lays out one parent as the “primary residential parent,” while the other gets “residential time.” The parenting plan also establishes:

• the decision-making rights and
• responsibilities for the child’s upbringing. This includes choices about:
• education,
• religion,
• medical care, and more.

When creating the parenting plan, many factors come into play. This includes

• the child’s relationship with each parent,
• parenting ability,
• the child’s connection to siblings,
• location,
• physical environment, and more.

In the end, the child’s ultimate well-being takes precedence over most other concerns.

The court document that addresses custody matters is called a parenting plan. These orders define everything involving custody and visitation rights.

Parenting Plans Establish:

• where a child lives,
• which parent holds the decision-making authority,
• how much time you spend together,
• who controls choices about education, religion, medical care, and more.

Because it lays out how much you see them and how present you are in your children’s lives, parenting plans are hugely important. It’s vital to protect your rights as a father and ensure you continue to have a major role in your child’s upbringing.

In Washington, the parenting plan usually lays out one parent as the “primary residential parent,” while the other gets “residential time.” When creating the parenting plan, many factors come into play.

This includes:

• the child’s relationship with each parent,
• parenting ability,
• the child’s connection to siblings,
• location,
• physical environment, and more.

In the end, the child’s ultimate well-being takes precedence over most other concerns.

** A Note About Paternity In Child Custody Precedings: Paternity for the unmarried father can only be proven through DNA testing or demonstrated through the existence of a Paternity Affidavit (once called a ‘paternity finding’). **

Once paternity is established, and only when established, everything progresses the same as married fathers.

Fathers are equal to mothers.

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