If you have kids, you’ll need to have a parenting plan in place before you can be granted a divorce in Spokane, Washington. That’s why it’s important to call Gallagher Law at (509) 326-4162 to arrange a confidential, complimentary case review. Our Spokane parenting plan lawyers are talented legal advocates with over 28 years of experience handling high-stakes family law disputes.
Parenting plans provide structure and certainty about where your children will be, who they’ll be with, and for how long after your divorce is finalized. They have to reflect the child’s best interests, which can be difficult when parents are struggling to see eye-to-eye during a contentious split. We can help you fight for a custody arrangement that fits your family’s unique needs and prioritizes what’s best for your kids.
Why Choose Gallagher Law To Help Me With a Parenting Plan in a Spokane Divorce?
Divorce is emotionally taxing. When kids are affected, the stakes are even higher. Fortunately, it’s not a process you have to navigate on your own. Gallagher Law offers compassionate, honest, effective legal representation for parents who want a parenting plan that keeps their kids safe and limits the harm the divorce process can potentially cause.
Clients in Spokane, WA, should consider us because:
- When you turn to our Spokane family law attorneys for help, you’ll have a team with nearly three decades of combined experience and a winning reputation in your corner.
- We’ll make the process easier for you by preparing a parenting plan that reflects your child’s best interests and, when appropriate, their preferences.
- We can represent you in negotiations with your spouse and their attorney, gather evidence and expert support to strengthen your position, pursue mediation or arbitration to avoid court when possible, and present your case to a judge if necessary.
- You know your children best. You know what kind of parenting plan will keep them healthiest and happiest. Our Spokane child custody lawyers will use every tool and resource at our disposal to make your plan a reality.
Contact our law office today to learn more about the benefits of working with our top-rated family law attorneys during a free thirty-minute consultation.
What Is a Parenting Plan?
While many states refer to “physical custody” of a child, Washington uses the term “parenting plan.” Generally speaking, a parenting plan dictates:
- The residential parent and the non-residential parent (known in other states as the custodial parent and non-custodial parent, respectively)
- Residential schedules, or how much time a child spends with each parent, and when
- Specific holidays and school breaks that are to be spent with each parent, and when
- Which parent will have decision-making authority for the child’s health, welfare, and education
- How major conflicts, like parental relocation, will be resolved (e.g., arbitration, mediation)
Pursuant to Washington law, a parenting plan must be designed to reflect what’s best for the child’s “emotional growth, health and stability, and physical care,” while also fostering “the relationship between the child and each parent unless inconsistent with the child’s best interests.”
It has to take a lot of things – including school schedules, extracurricular activities, weekends, summers, and holidays – into account. The plan should minimize any burdens the child experiences – like extra travel time – while carefully balancing the amount of time the child spends with each parent.
What’s the Most Common Parenting Plan in Washington?
There are many ways to structure a parenting plan that serves a child’s best interests while balancing time between the residential (custodial) parent and the non-residential (non-custodial) parent. While every family is different, certain schedules are more common than others.
The “Every Other Weekend” Parenting Plan
The traditional default plan follows an “every other weekend” schedule. Under this arrangement, the non-residential parent has the child on alternating weekends and typically one evening during the week. This structure offers stability and predictability, which is especially important for young, school-age children. It allows families to maintain routines with minimal disruption.
Because life does not follow a strict calendar, parenting plans must also account for holidays, school breaks, and vacations. Parents often alternate major holidays and special occasions. For example, one parent may have Christmas and Spring Break in odd-numbered years, while the other has them in even-numbered years. Summer vacation time is often divided or alternated as well.
In the late 1990s, about half of Washington parenting plans followed this model. However, residential arrangements have evolved in recent years to reflect a more equal division of parenting time.
Alternating Weeks
An increasingly popular option is the alternating weeks schedule, where each parent has the child for seven consecutive days before switching. This approach tends to work best when parents live close to one another, communicate effectively, and can ensure that the weekly transition does not interfere with school or extracurricular activities.
The 2/2/5/5 Parenting Plan
Another common arrangement is the 2/2/5/5 schedule, which comes close to a 50/50 division of parenting time.
Under this plan:
- Parent A has the child for two days
- Parent B has the child for two days
- Parent A then has five consecutive days
- Parent B follows with five consecutive days
Over the course of the year, this format creates a nearly equal time split. However, it requires significant cooperation, flexibility, and scheduling commitment from both parents. Work obligations and other responsibilities can make this structure difficult to maintain.
Creating a Plan That Works for Your Family
Ultimately, the best parenting plan is one tailored to your family’s specific needs. A thoughtful, customized arrangement can help minimize post-divorce stress while allowing your children to maintain strong relationships with both parents.
Careful evaluation and negotiation can make a meaningful difference in reaching a workable, long-term solution.
Do Children Get a Say in Parenting Plans?
Children won’t be able to directly dictate which parent they spend the most time with, or when. However, considering that the child’s best interests are the heart and soul of parenting plans, it’s often important to take a child’s preferences into account – especially when the child is a young adult or teenager.
In heavily contested parenting plan cases, a judge might want to hear from a child directly to get a sense of an arrangement that would genuinely be in their best interests – especially if there are any allegations of domestic abuse, substance abuse, or other issues that could put the child in harm’s way.
So, while children might not have a legal say in custody, their wishes are often reflected in the finalized parenting plan.
Can Spokane Parenting Plans Be Modified?
Parenting plans can be temporary or permanent. They can also be modified when necessary to reflect changes in a child’s or parent’s life. Since a parenting plan is legally binding, any changes must go through the courts. Modifications are easiest when both parents agree to the proposed changes.
Things become more difficult when parents have drastically different thoughts on the matter – particularly in situations involving parental relocation. It is always important to navigate any family law matter with an experienced divorce attorney at your side.
Call Our Spokane Parenting Plan Lawyers for a Confidential Case Evaluation
Gallagher Law helps Spokane, WA, parents navigate the most challenging aspects of divorce – including property division, child custody, alimony, and parenting plans. Whether you’re thinking about getting a divorce or in the midst of a custody battle, our Spokane parenting plan attorneys can provide the strong, rational, compassionate legal assistance you need and deserve.
When you choose us, you put a team of highly-rated Washington family law attorneys with 28+ years of combined experience and a winning reputation in your corner. We offer a confidential case review for all prospective clients. Do not hesitate to contact us to schedule a time to talk about your parenting plan case today.