Parenting Plans / Residential Time

Legal Information

In this section of Washington LawHelp you will find general information and self-help packets about parenting plans in Washington state.

• Parenting Plans (court orders about child custody)

  3230EN - This publication provides general information about what a parenting plan is and how to get one. It also explains how to enforce or change a permanent parenting plan. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• How to Write a Declaration in a Family Law Case PDF

  3917EN - This packet tells you what a declaration is, what should be included and tips on how to write one. There is a family law declaration and other forms attached that you can fill out. Content Detail

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Working With GALs and Parenting Evaluators: Tips for Parents in Family Law Cases PDF

  3106EN - If you are involved in a divorce, paternity or nonparental custody case where the other parent does not agree with you, the court may appoint a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) or Parenting Evaluator. This publication contains tips to help you work successfully with the GAL. Content Detail

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• How Do I “Do Discovery?” Help with Interrogatories and Requests for Production in Family Law Cases

  3900EN - Use this publication if: you are a party in a contested family law case (“contested” means you and the other party disagree about issues) AND you want or need to get more information from the other party about his/her side of the issues. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Mediation: Should I Use It?

  3226EN - Mediation is an informal way to resolve disputes without going to court. The parties attempt to negotiate a mutually agreeable settlement with the help of a neutral mediator. Mediation can be used in many types of disputes. Content Detail

  By:

  Legal Voice

  Read this in:

  Spanish / Español

• Parentage and Parenting Plans for Unmarried Parents in Washington PDF

  3601EN - The legal information in this publication is designed to help you learn about the laws that apply when you have a child and you are not married to that child's other parent. It includes information on: 1) How to determine if paternity has been legally established and, if appropriate, how to file to establish the paternity of your child (called a parentage action); 2) How to get a custody order (which is called a parenting plan or residential schedule). This publication may also help you if you want to legally establish that you are not the child's parent (called "disestablishment of parentage"). Content Detail

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Filing an Agreed Petition for Parenting Plan (Custody) When Parentage Has Been Established PDF

  3603EN - This packet is intended to help you fill out and file the forms and papers that you need if you are not married to the other parent of your child, the paternity of your child has already been established, and you and the other parent want to ask the court to enter an agreed residential schedule, parenting plan and/or child support court order. You should use this packet only if you and the other parent agree 100% about your parenting plan or child support and you just want to ask the court to enter final court orders that follow your agreement. Content Detail

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Filing a Petition for Parenting Plan (Custody) or Child Support When Parentage Has Already Been Established PDF

  3602EN - This packet will help you fill out and file the forms and papers that you need if: you are not married to the other parent of your child; the parentage (paternity) of your child has already been established by court order that is more than two years old; and you want to ask a Washington court for a residential schedule, parenting plan or child support court order. You can also use this packet to ask the court for a parenting plan if you have already established parentage with a paternity affidavit; if you established parentage in the last twenty-four months, and you are looking to change who the child resides with. Content Detail

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Filing a Petition to Modify/Adjust a Parenting Plan/Custody Decree in a Dissolution Case PDF

  3260EN - This packet contains forms and instructions for filing a petition to modify/adjust a parenting plan or custody decree. Use this packet only if you and the other parent have been divorced and already have a parenting plan/custody decree from a Washington State court. Content Detail

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Guardian ad Litems in Family Law Cases Cases PDF

  3103EN - A guardian ad litem (GAL) may be appointed when a court case involves custody or visitation rights. In dissolution (divorce) cases, a GAL may be involved when the parties are divorcing or when a parent has filed a case to modify an existing final parenting plan. Content Detail

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Which Court Has the Right to Enter a Custody Order? Questions and Answers about Jurisdiction PDF

  3102EN - These questions and answers describe when a Washington court may decide custody if a child has lived in more than one state, should enforce (follow) custody/visitation orders from other states, or may modify (change) custody/visitation orders from other states. Content Detail

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Filing Fee Waiver

  3245EN - Washington state courts’ General Rule 34 (GR 34) establishes who is eligible for a waiver of the filing fee to begin your civil case and other, mandatory charges. If you cannot pay the filing fee or paying it would be hard for you, you can ask the court to waive (not make you pay) the filing fee by filing a motion. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Self-Help Guide to Following Washington's Relocation Law PDF

  3132EN - If you have legal custody of your child, and you wish to move (relocate) and take the child with you, Washington State law may require you to do certain things first. This packet has forms and instructions to help you do those things. Content Detail

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project

• Declaration Form - Family Law

  Family law Declaration court form that can be used in all family law cases. Content Detail

  By:

  Administrative Office Of The Courts

• Filing a Motion for Change of Venue in a Family Law Case

  3206EN - This packet contains the instructions and forms you will need to ask the court to move a marital dissolution or a modification of a parenting plan, child support order, or decree entered in a dissolution to a different county - this is called a Motion for Change of Venue. Read More

  By:

  Northwest Justice Project