How to Modify A Parenting Plan in Washington?

If you have a child with someone else, whether or not you are married, you will likely need a Parenting Plan in the event that you are no longer together with the child’s other parent. Even if you and the child’s other parent agree to a parenting schedule, it can sometimes be helpful to have that agreement in writing so there isn’t any confusion, and the possibility for disagreement is reduced.

What is a Parenting Plan?

A Parenting Plan is a court order that outlines which parent has decision-making (usually both), which parent is the primary parent, whether there are any restrictions on one of the parents, what the parenting schedule looks like for the entire year, and any other provisions the parties want or need to follow that aren’t already accounted for.

Where do you go to get a Parenting Plan in place in Washington?

All initial pleadings are available online at https://www.courts.wa.gov/forms/?fa=forms.static&staticID=14 and are also available for purchase at the Clark County Superior Court Clerk’s Office. If you want more information on which documents to complete, how to file, and how to serve, please take a look at this blog post by attorney Amber Rushbanks: https://navigatelawgroup.com/how-to-file-child-custody-or-parenting-plan-hearing-in-wa/.

How are Parenting Plans determined?

Both parents are given the option to propose what they would each like to see in a Temporary or Final Parenting Plan for the Court to consider. The Court will certainly review them, but Parenting Plans are governed by state laws and local county laws that the Court must follow as well. There are different laws you have to follow for entering a Temporary Parenting Plan, entering a Final Parenting Plan, and modifying either a Temporary Parenting Plan or a Final Parenting Plan.

Temporary Parenting Plan

Final Parenting Plan

Clark County Local Court Rule Recommendations

How can you modify an existing Parenting Plan in Vancouver, Washington?

It is possible that the Court will enter a Parenting Plan that either doesn’t work for your family at all, or did work and then something changed so that it no longer works. You can request that the Court modify the Parenting Plan, but there are certain standards that will need to be met in order for the Court to consider a change.

Temporary Parenting Plan

Final Parenting Plan

All modification pleadings are available online at https://www.courts.wa.gov/forms/?fa=forms.static&staticID=14. They will need to be filed and served similarly to the initial pleadings mentioned above. In order for the Court to allow a modification to move forward, you must first have an adequate cause hearing. This is a hearing for the Court to determine whether you have enough evidence to proceed with the modification or if the existing Final Parenting Plan should remain in effect. If adequate cause is denied, then the modification as a whole is denied and the matter is over. There is a very high standard to modify a Final Parenting Plan, so make sure you gather as much evidence as possible so the adequate cause is granted and your matter can move forward.

Get in Touch with Our Parenting Plan Lawyers in Vancouver, Washington!

Establishing a parenting schedule that works best for your family can be difficult, especially if you and the other parent don’t agree. Things can be especially difficult if you have a Parenting Plan in place and it isn’t working or things have changed since it was entered. If you have questions about establishing or modifying a Parenting Plan, don’t hesitate to reach out to Navigate Law Group for an experienced attorney to assist you.