When Washington spouses decide they no longer wish to maintain their relationships, they can seek a legally binding end to their marriage. Most people want to avoid lengthy court battles at all costs when they divorce. When it comes to child custody and related issues, spouses can devise the terms of their own co-parenting plans, and this helps keep legal expenses to a minimum.
Every family situation is unique; however, all divorcing parents must make certain decisions, such as where their children will live after their divorce is finalized. They can negotiate a plan and customize it as needed. For instance, some parents incorporate specific agreement terms regarding where children will spend major holidays and school vacation time.
In addition to physical custody issues, many parents include terms pertaining to grand-parent visits or legal custody in their co-parenting agreements. Child support is another common issue that is often addressed in a co-parenting agreement. There are state guidelines to which judges refer when approving a prospective plan or when intervening to make decisions if parents are unable to resolve the issue on their own.
Any Washington parent with questions about writing a co-parenting agreement can reach out for legal guidance and support. Many parents who divorce choose to use mediation or collaborative law processes to devise their plans. In either case, an experienced family law attorney can be of valuable assistance. If out-of court negotiations do not produce successful results, concerned parents can enter litigation to resolve their differences in court.
