Child Visitation and Parental Responsibility in a Washington Divorce

In Washington, the legal framework for child custody centers on the concepts of parenting plans and residential schedules rather than “custody” and “visitation.” Courts refer to the allocation of parental rights and responsibilities as decision-making authority, and the time each parent spends with the child is often called residential time or parenting time.

Shared Parental Responsibility and Decision-Making

Creating a Parenting Plan

The Parenting Plan becomes part of the Final Decree of Dissolution, making it a legally binding document. This plan typically includes:

• Weekday and weekend schedules
• Holiday and vacation schedules
• Provisions for extracurricular activities, transportation, and other logistical details
• Provisions for parental decision-making (e.g., how major medical, educational, or religious decisions are made)

Washington law prioritizes frequent contact and cooperation, encouraging parents to adapt the schedule when possible to accommodate the child’s changing needs (e.g., sports, lessons, or special events). However, significant changes to the parenting plan usually require formal modification through the court, especially if the parents cannot mutually agree.

Child Support and Support Obligations

Both parents share financial responsibility for their children. Child support in Washington is calculated using state guidelines that consider both parents’ incomes. Even if one parent has majority residential time, both remain obligated to provide food, shelter, clothing, education, and medical/dental care.

Flexibility and Cooperation

Washington courts encourage parents to work together for the best interests of each child. A well-structured parenting plan fosters stability and predictability but also allows flexibility for life’s inevitable changes. The most effective plans reflect a balance between consistent routines and the child’s evolving needs, ensuring that both parents remain actively involved in the child’s upbringing.