Custody

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Child Custody Attorney

In the State of Washington, a child’s residential schedule and other parental rights and responsibilities are typically addressed in a court order called a “Parenting Plan.” A Parenting Plan is determined by agreement or by the court. The court’s responsibility under the law is to ensure that the Parenting Plan arrangements serve the “best interests of the child.”

The non-custodial parent typically retains his or her parental rights under the parenting plan, including shared residential time and joint decision making. Parental rights such as residential time with the child, participating in decision making, and other aspects of the parent/child relationship are only limited upon legal findings of abuse, neglect, or other factors which the court concludes has or will negatively impact the best interests of the child, such as domestic violence, and alcohol or drug abuse.

“Grandparent Custody” or Non-Parental Custody

In non-parental custody cases it is fairly typical to have increased restrictions on parental rights, as the court must find the parents unfit or unwilling to meet parental responsibilities in order to award custody of the child to the petitioner, is typically a family member, such as a grandparent.

The Law Office of Donna Person Smith, PLLC Child Custody Lawyers

We have successfully represented hundreds of clients in divorces and other family law actions involving both contested and agreed child custody and parenting plan matters.

We understand that divorce and child custody cases are often highly emotional and can be profoundly consequential to our clients and their children. Helping each client understands the strengths and weaknesses of their particular case so they are enabled to make the best child custody and parenting plan decisions for themselves and their families is one of our highest priorities.