Include specific provisions in your parenting plan to make child exchanges conflict-free.

On its face, the Washington Parenting Plan is a simple, straightforward document that specifies where the children will reside, how decisions are made, and what to do when there are disputes between parents. But…a parenting plan can be so much more! Powerful parenting plans include provisions that establish a baseline for long-term, peaceful co-parenting, in which the children’s needs are met and the parents can effectively manage their responsibilities without conflict. Las

There is a belief that the court system places little importance on the role that fathers have with their children and that mothers are the default primary parent in a divorce situation. While there was a time when the idea of a father having equal or even primary residential time with the children was uncommon, that is no longer true. The courts encourage both parents to have a strong bond and involvement with the children. A Massachusetts study followed 2100 cases over a f

You won’t find the term custody (whether physical custody or legal custody) in a Washington State Parenting Plan and - it is intentional. Parenting Plans are focused on the children. Terms like custody refer to a parent’s right rather than parenting children. For most Washington State Parenting Plans, the components of the document will define where the children live, when they spend time with each parent, and how parents make decisions about children. Occasionally, there m