Child Custody During Divorce in Washington

Child custody issues can be one of the reasons for difficulty during divorce proceedings in Washington. The parents may not have the same ideas about who should have the children for how much of the time. It is tricky to create a custody and visitation arrangement that will make both parties happy. It can be even trickier if one of the parents chooses to live in another state or city after the separation.

Washington Child Custody

Washington state divorced parents are subject to the Parenting Plan which outlines the amount of time the child or children are to spend with each parent. The parents can either agree to a plan, or the court will provide them with one based on the facts of the case. Factors the court will look to in deciding on child custody arrangements include, but may not be limited to:

The strength, nature and stability of a child's relationship with each parent, including whether one of the parents has taken on greater responsibility for parenting duties;
Agreements the parents have made regarding child care and custody in contemplation of separation or divorce (you can create your own custody arrangement if both parents agree to it);
The ability of each of the parents to perform parenting duties, which can be impacted by location, career demands and other factors;
The child's emotional needs and developmental level;
The child's relationship with siblings and other adults involved in the child's life and how the custody arrangement will impact those relationships;
The child's involvement in school or extracurricular activities;
The desires of each of the parents to either retain or relinquish custody and visitation time;
The wishes of a child who is old enough to state preferences as to the custody and visitation schedule; and
Any other factors the court deems just in determining a plan for the separated family.

If you can put aside your differences and work out a plan with your spouse or ex-spouse, it is easier in most cases than having the court mandate a plan. This provides you with some flexibility and control in your case.

Getting Legal Help

If you are dealing with child custody and divorce in Washington, an attorney who handles family law cases can help you answer your questions and prepare your case. Child custody is determined on a case by case basis. Hiring an attorney who knows the way your local court system works will help you get the best outcome in your child custody and divorce case.

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