The basic presumption is that the court shall not modify a Final Parenting Plan – which is why you want to make certain you are satisfied with the written terms in a Final Parenting Plan, but there are exceptions. A
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY EX-SPOUSE WANTS TO MOVE OUR CHILD(REN)?
The parent seeking relocation of the children out of the school district is required to give written notice to the other parent. A summary of the relocation laws are contained in the Parenting Plan form. Relocation may mean a move
WHAT IF WE HAVE A CHILD TOGETHER, BUT WE ARE NOT MARRIED?
You may file a Petition for Establishment of Parentage and within that case, enter a Parenting Plan (or a simpler, Order Re Residential Schedule) and an Order of Child Support. If both parents have agreed that they are the parents,
IF WE WERE NEVER MARRIED BUT LIVED TOGETHER, CAN THE COURT DIVIDE OUR PROPERTY AND DEBTS?
Yes. Washington State does not have a common law marriage law; however, if the parties agree (or court finds) that they have lived together essentially like a married couple, the court applies the same principles used to divide property and
WHO CAN FILE A PETITION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE?
Either spouse can file. It does not matter who is the Petitioner and who is the Respondent; neither designation affects how the case operates. If the parties agree, they may both sign the Petition by including a “Joinder” in the
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A LEGAL SEPARATION & A DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (DIVORCE)?
Nothing other than the mandatory, minimum 90 day waiting period to enter final orders may not be applied to the legal separation – and the parties remain married after the Decree of Legal Separation is entered. All of the same
IF WE HAVE BEEN LIVING SEPARATELY, ARE WE LEGALLY SEPARATED?
No. You are “de facto” separated if you have been living separate and apart with no intent to resume the marital relationship. You are not legally separated until and unless there is a case filed resulting in a Decree of