Tri-Cities Child Custody

A number of issues must be addressed when parents divorce or separate, including child custody. The outcome of this dispute could impact the amount of time you are able to spend with your children, which could negatively affect your relationship with them. Don’t let a child custody dispute impact your relationship with your child–fight for a favorable outcome with the help of a child custody attorney at Pacific Northwest Family Law. Schedule a consultation regarding your case by calling 360-926-9112 today.

If parents are divorcing or separating, they must establish a parenting plan that outlines:

• Which parent(s) the child will live with
• How much time each parent spends with the child
• Visitation rights for the non-custodial parent
• Which parent(s) can make important decisions related to the child’s upbringing
• The process that parents must follow when a dispute arises over child custody or visitation

Both parents are legally obligated to comply with the terms of a parenting plan once it has been approved by the court.

Parents are given the opportunity to create their own parenting plan outside of the courtroom. This ensures that parents are given a chance to work together, share their opinions, and come up with a mutually beneficial parenting plan. If they reach an agreement, the proposed parenting plan must be submitted to the judge for approval.

Settling a child custody dispute in mediation benefits everyone in the family. But unfortunately, it’s not always possible to reach an agreement in mediation. The case may end up in court if one or both parents are unwilling to cooperate or negotiate. If this happens, the judge will establish a parenting plan on behalf of the parents. If your case winds up in court, you will need an aggressive attorney to fight for a favorable outcome that is in your child’s best interests. For more reading and tips, check out our blog on winning a child custody battle.

The judge will consider a number of factors when making child custody and visitation decisions, including:

• Each parent’s lifestyle
• Each parent’s mental and physical health
• The living arrangements that each parent would provide for the child
• The relationship that each parent has with the child
• The child’s special emotional, physical, or psychological needs
• The parent’s work schedule and ability to be physically present in the child’s life
• The parents’ preferences
• The extent to which each parent currently cares for the child
• The child’s preferences (if they are old enough to express their opinions on the matter)

These are some of the many factors that a judge will take into consideration when a child custody case ends up in court. The judge’s main priority is establishing a parenting plan that is in the best interests of the child. To learn more about this topic you can read our blog post on Tips for Creating a Child Visitation Schedule.

If you are a parent who is facing a custody dispute in Tri-Cities, contact the experienced family attorneys at Pacific Northwest Family Law as soon as possible. Our child custody lawyers will aggressively pursue a favorable outcome that is in the best interests of your child. We know how much is at stake in a child custody dispute, which is why we are committed to achieving the results you desire. To schedule a consultation with our child custody attorneys in Tri-Cities, call 360-926-9112 or book your appointment online today.