RESIDENTIAL
TIME IN WASHINGTON
In an
action between married parents - either
dissolution or legal separation -
residential arrangements are provided for
in the Parenting Plan. In a
paternity action - that which involves
unmarried parents - a Parenting Plan will
be required if requested by a party.
The Court
shall make residential provisions for
each child which encourage each parent to
maintain a loving, stable, and nurturing
relationship with the child, consistent
with the child's developmental level and
the family's social and economic
circumstances. The Court shall
consider the following factors: the
relative strength, nature, and stability
of the child's relationship with each
parent, including whether a parent has
taken greater responsibility for
performing parenting functions relating
to the daily needs of the child; the
agreements of the parties, provided they
were entered into knowingly and
voluntarily; each parent's past and
potential for future performance of
parenting functions. Also
considered are the emotional needs and
developmental level of the child; the
child's relationship with siblings and
with other significant adults, as well as
the child's involvement with his or her
physical surroundings, school, or other
significant activities; the wishes of the
parents and the wishes of a child who is
sufficiently mature to express reasoned
and independent preferences as to his or
her residential schedule; and each
parent's employment schedule.
A court
can limit a parent's involvement with the
children when their are issues such as
domestic violence, drug or alcohol abuse
or sexual abuse. The restriction may be
limited in time, or require supervision.
Our firm consist of three
lawyers, Peter W. Mogren, Ronald E.
Glessner, and Ruth A. Roti. Our
emphasis is in family law, wills and
probate, and personal injury.
Please click on the topics above for
details about these areas of practice,
including divorce, legal separation,
property division, child support, spousal
maintenance, parenting plans,
modifications, paternity, adoption,
wills, Community Property Agreements,
Durable Power of Attorney, and probate.
Our firm is conveniently located
in Renton, King County, Washington, just
off the freeway at the intersection of
I-405 and I-167. Our attorneys
represent clients throughout the State of
Washington, including the communities of
Renton, Kent, Tukwila, Seattle, Bellevue,
Auburn, Maple Valley, Federal Way, Des
Moines, Burien, SeaTac, Enumclaw and most
of south King County.
The free
information contained in these pages
is not
intended to be legal advice, and does
not create an attorney-client
relationship. You should always
consult with an attorney before
taking any action. Feel free to call
us at 425-255-4542.
