The dissolution of a marriage, either by separation or divorce, allows two ex-partners to pursue futures that better suit their personal interests and, sometimes, security.
However, partners pursuing the dissolution of their marriage need to consider more than the property they share. Everett parenting plans lawyers help them think about the needs of their children.
Carefully thought-out parenting plans can make all the difference in children’s lives, even in the wake of difficult separations or divorces. Fortunately, Dellino Family Law and its Everett family lawyers have over 180 years of combined experience helping families develop parenting plans based on children’s financial, emotional, and physical needs.
If you want to discuss how you can create a parenting plan with an ex-spouse, or if you need representation while drafting a plan or facing parenting issues in court, turn to Dellino Family Law for help.
What to Include in a Parenting Plan
Washington State parenting plans need to go into detail about how divorcing or separating couples intend to balance decision-making responsibilities between them. These plans also need to address where the children of that marriage will live and what custody schedule they will refer to as they continue to grow.
Also important, parenting plans must include dispute resolution agreements designed to ensure that parents can have constructive conversations about their children’s futures when there are disagreements about the plan, regardless of the reasons that led the parents to separate or divorce one another. Pre-established dispute resolution processes that often include mediation or arbitration can make all the difference..
Fortunately, parents do not have to establish a parenting plan on their own. Couples who need help understanding what information they should include in a parenting plan and what tools might be available to them, in terms of custody arrangements and conflict resolution methods, can look to Everett, WA, parenting plans lawyers for advice.
Are Parenting Plans Legally Binding?
Parenting plans are legally binding documents and court orders. Judges in Washington State must approve parenting plans before a divorce or legal separation can be finalized.
In other words, parents need to abide by the standards set in their parenting plan, unless they mutually agree to deviate, if they want to remain in compliance with court orders.
This does not mean that a parent plan is an immutable document, though. Parents can file a Petition to Change Parenting Plan (also known as a Parenting Plan Modification) if there has been a substantial change in circumstances that was not and could not have been contemplated at the time the plan was finalized:
Parents who agree about the changes they need to make to a parenting plan can file an agreed petition and streamline the necessary alterations.
However, parents who do not agree about what changes might be necessary to make a plan more functional may have to appear in court to argue for their right to modify their parenting plan.
When Do You Need a Parenting Plan?
You may need a parenting plan if you are pursuing a divorce or separation through Washington State’s family law circuit. Again, these plans establish how you and an ex-partner intend to raise your children despite the dissolution of your partnership.
That said, parenting plans can also benefit unmarried parents who have a child or children together. Domestic violence survivors can also use parenting plans to introduce legal structure into their lives and cement their right to ensure their children’s safety as they grow.
In other words, parenting plans can serve as fantastic tools for parents in several different types of personal relationships. They are as effective for parents undergoing difficult divorces as they are for amicably divorcing couples. When you have a legal tool providing you with structure, it gets that much easier to resolve disputes and ensure your children’s long-term happiness.
What Can an Everett Parenting Plan Lawyer Do for You?
Because a parenting plan operates as a legal document, creating one may require more understanding of modern custody schedules and decision-making rights than you currently have. That is where our Everett, WA, parenting plan lawyers come in.
We are here to help you better understand what a parenting plan needs to include and how to address your child’s needs. We can help you develop a parenting plan in tandem with an ex-partner or represent you in related court proceedings. You can count on us to leverage our understanding of Washington family law on your behalf.
The legal team with Dellino Family Law can specifically provide you with support built on a foundation of professional excellence and accountability.
We have a dedicated intake team that can help you understand the extent of your legal options and connect you with an attorney. Our diligence ensures that our clients are well-cared for and informed.
Parenting Plans and High-Conflict Cases
Parenting plans are not only for parents pursuing amicable divorces. Parents involved in high-conflict divorces or who have to factor domestic violence into a divorce must also create parenting plans. Unfortunately, this process is not always easy.
Working with a parenting plan attorney in Everett lets parents involved in these types of cases come away with a plan that ensures the safety of the children involved in a relationship. Our legal team can take your children’s security into account when helping you decide on a custody schedule or decision-making rights.
If your previous partner endangered or abused your children, do not panic. Parenting plans do not require both parents to be involved in the process of raising shared children, especially not when traditional custody arrangements might endanger a child further. You can discuss your specific needs and concerns with our team as we start developing your plan.
It’s Time to Talk About Your Parenting Plan
A parenting plan represents more than a hypothetical agreement between you and an ex-partner. These agreements are legally binding and designed to ensure that your children have the healthiest life possible in the wake of your separation or divorce. Parenting plans can also reduce conflict between you and your ex-partner as your children grow up.
While parenting plans create the framework for custody schedules and decision-making rights, they can change to accommodate a child’s needs or changes in parents’ lives.
Working with a parenting plans attorney in Everett, WA, to craft your parenting plan can give you the tools you need to see that the original plan is enforced or altered, depending on your circumstances.
Dellino Family Law knows what it takes to develop a parenting plan that puts a child’s unique needs first. If you need help developing a plan or want to discuss altering an existing plan, you can contact our legal team today.