Raising a child after separating from their other parent comes with unique challenges and important decisions. When it comes to your child’s well-being, choosing the right parenting plans lawyer in Marysville is necessary to help you secure the best outcome and to protect your family.
By working with a Marysville family lawyer at Dellino Family Law, you can feel confident that we are going to fight for you and your family. With over 180 years of combined experience, our team is dedicated to advocating for you and your child, allowing your child to grow in the healthiest and most supportive scenario possible.
Building a Strong Foundation for Co-Parenting Is a Must
An effective parenting plan goes beyond just the visitation schedule. A parenting plan should act as a legal framework that helps guide parents on how responsibilities are to be shared after separation. The right Marysville parenting plans lawyer can help parents to:
- Understand Washington’s parenting plan requirements
- Draft a proposed parenting plan
- Negotiate agreements with the other parent
- Prepare for mediation or court hearings
- Present evidence supporting their proposed plan
- Protect their parental rights throughout the process
An attorney can also help parents understand the consequences of not following a parenting plan and what to do if circumstances change. Upholding the agreement and abiding by the rules set forth by the judge is one way to help your child feel a sense of stability.
Washington Uses Parenting Plans Instead of Traditional Child Custody Orders
Many parents are surprised to learn that Washington generally does not use the terms “custody” and “visitation” in the way many other states do; rather, the term “parenting plan” is more often used in legal scenarios. This often helps families feel that this is a way to work together to raise their child, rather than a constant battle over control.
Parenting plans are designed to encompass all of your child’s needs. They often include topics beyond visitation and residential schedules to ensure your child has well-rounded support, regardless of who they are with at the time. Children often thrive in environments where they feel consistency.
It is important to note that child support is generally not included within the parenting plan. One parent often pays child support, even with joint custody. While your parenting plans attorney in Marysville may be able to help you with a child support case, it is a separate legal matter that has its own processes.
Every Parenting Plan Should Reflect the Child’s Best Interests
Washington courts do not automatically favor one parent over the other on finances or gender alone. Instead, judges evaluate each family’s situation. Factors that may play a part when deciding how the parenting plan is written may include:
- Current school and district
- Proximity to extracurriculars and activities
- Health and medical needs
- Stability in the home
- Resources available
- Relationship with parents, siblings and others within the home
Meeting your child’s physical and emotional needs is the primary guiding factor when a judge signs off on a parenting plan. Working with a Marysville parenting plans attorney can help you develop a fair plan and demonstrate to a judge why it is most effective for your child.
Parenting Plans Can Address Much More Than Weekly Schedules
Many parents initially focus only on where the child will spend weekdays and weekends, but parenting plans often cover much more. Common topics covered in parenting plans may include:
- School-year schedules
- Summer and holiday schedules
- Transportation responsibilities
- Medical decision-making
- Educational decisions
- Religious upbringing
- Extracurricular activities
- Communication between parents
- Communication with the child during parenting time
- Procedures for resolving future disagreements
Addressing these items early on may help prevent issues down the line. When parents are on the same page, it may help your child feel more secure and supported as they navigate a situation that may affect them as well.
An Experienced Lawyer Can Help Resolve Disagreements Between Parents
Even in the most amicable separations, there are often still disagreements, especially when children are involved. Even if you and your co-parent agree on many things, it is still important to have a qualified lawyer on your team to help advocate for you when ideas do not line up.
No matter how thorough and detailed your parenting plan may be, unexpected situations can arise. Your lawyer can help you interpret unclear situations or recommend filing a petition to change a parenting plan if they may become an ongoing problem.
Navigating parenting after separation is not easy, but you do not have to do it alone. Our team at Dellino Family Law is here to help support you along the way. When disagreements happen, or changes need to be made, we are on your side.
Your Lawyer Can Help Enforce Court Orders
Parenting plans only work when both sides follow them. When a judge issues an order, there are consequences if it is not followed. Your lawyer can help defend you if your rights are violated.
There are times when one parent may decide they no longer want to follow the plan. This can mean denying you parenting time, refusing to return your child, making decisions outside of the agreement, or not abiding by court-ordered responsibilities. These are all possible violations of your agreement, and they could face legal ramifications.
When your parental rights are violated, your Marysville parenting plans lawyer can help bring the case before a judge, providing evidence and demonstrating how orders were broken and your rights not upheld.
Dellino Family Law is Here to Help You Protect Your Relationship With Your Child
At Dellino Family Law, we understand that your child’s well-being is your number one priority, and we are here to help protect that. As a parent, you deserve to have proper legal guidance and representation to ensure your rights are upheld.
Schedule your consultation with our parenting plans attorney in Marysville today to see how we can work together to help your child feel supported, loved, and cared for.
