Your relationship with your child is one of the most important relationships you’ll ever have. When it’s time to work out a parenting plan, you need representation from a Port Orchard Family Lawyer who honors that relationship. Look no further than Dellino Family Law.
Best Lawyers has ranked our firm as one of the “best law firms” of 2026. Our core values of loyalty, communication, diligence, excellence, accountability, and adaptability guide how we approach every case. You can trust a parenting plans lawyer in Port Orchard for compassionate support and exceptional representation.
The Role of Parenting Plans in a Divorce
Parenting plans are often called child custody arrangements in other states. They are a necessary part of divorce involving children. Our team can tell you what you need to know about parenting plans in Washington State and help you create one that serves your child’s needs and upholds your parental rights.
About 30-60 days after you or your spouse files for divorce, you will have an initial custody hearing. The court will issue temporary custody orders that apply as you, your ex, and your respective attorneys work out a long-term parenting plan. If discussions are contentious, the judge may order mediation to help you resolve issues.
The court has final approval of parenting plans. Custody arrangements have no legal standing without court approval. Even if one party wants to give custody to the other, you cannot sign over custody of a child without going to court.
An experienced parenting plans attorney in Port Orchard knows the laws and procedures governing parenting plans and can provide knowledgeable guidance.
Washington State Laws on Child Custody
Neither parent has an automatic advantage regarding child custody. Per RCW 26.16.125, “the rights and responsibilities of the parents…shall be equal” unless one parent has engaged in “misconduct.” This means parents have equal say in determining the specifics of the parenting plan.
As established in RCW 26.09.002, doing what is in the “child’s best interest” is paramount. The court considers a variety of factors and renders a decision based on that standard. The factors considered include:
- The mental, physical, and emotional health of each parent
- The child’s relationship with each parent and siblings
- The child’s connection to their school and community
- The stability of each parent’s household
- The child’s age
- Whether one parent has been the primary caretaker thus far
- The child’s preference depending on their level of maturity.
A Port Orchard parenting plans lawyer can present your circumstances to the court and work to ensure your ex-partner’s honesty.
Parenting Plans Determine Residency and Decision-Making Rights
Parenting plans establish matters of “physical” custody, or how much time a child spends or lives with each parent. They account for holidays and other anticipated special events. The clearer the schedule, the less room there is for disagreement.
Custody arrangements also state the role each parent has in making important life decisions for the child. Parents may have to make choices about medical care, education, and religious instruction. Decision-making rights are often called “legal” custody.
Parents can share both physical and legal custody. Sometimes, one parent has sole physical custody, but the parents share legal custody. Other times, parents share physical custody, but one parent holds legal custody rights.
Some of the most common custody schedules in Washington include 50/50 splits and other forms of joint custody.
50/50 Arrangements
Residency time is split equally in 50/50 agreements. The child may alternate weeks living with each parent. Other popular schedules rotate blocks of days.
In the 3-4-4-3 version, the child spends three days with one parent, four with the other, then goes back to the first parent for four days, and the other for three.
Joint Custody Variations
In joint custody arrangements, the child spends significant time living with each parent, but the split may not be equal. The child could live primarily with one parent during the week, and spend weekends and perhaps a weeknight with the other.
A Port Orchard Parenting Plan Attorney Can Help You Avoid Serious Mistakes
The team at Dellino Family Law has over 180 years of combined experience. We have seen the mistakes people make that damage custody arrangements.
Some of the most common reasons why parents lose child custody are:
- Refusing to co–parent: A parent may fail to cooperate with the other. They may not communicate with the other parent or keep important information about the child from them. The parent could cut the other out of important child-related decisions.
- Trash–talking or making false allegations: One parent may talk negatively about the other to the child. Some parents make false allegations about the other to strengthen a claim for custody.
- Violating parenting orders: A parenting plan is a legal order. Neither parent may change it or prevent the other from enjoying scheduled time with the child.
More obviously dangerous behavior can also result in the loss of custody. A parent who abuses or neglects the child will likely lose custody. The same applies if the parent shows problems with substance use or mental health.
Changing Parenting Plans
You might need to change a parenting plan. The court allows modifications if the requester can show a substantial change in circumstances warrants it. Your work or health situation could change. Your child may request the adjustment. Whatever the reason, you cannot change a parenting plan without the court’s approval.
Even if the other party violates the parenting order, do not retaliate with your own violations. Document each act of non-compliance and reach out for help from a Port Orchard parenting plans attorney. We can petition the court the right way. If your ex challenges your request, we will be prepared to fight back.
We Can Take You Through the Parenting Plan Process
Parenting plans affect your relationship with your child. Dellino Family Law is here to help you secure a plan that keeps that relationship healthy.
Reach out to arrange a consultation with a compassionate, experienced Port Orchard parenting plans lawyer from our team. We are ready to get to work for you.