WASHINGTON
NPO AFFILIATE | WA
STATE CHAIR: Jim Clark
PR & EDUCATION DIRECTOR: Stephen Hicks
WEBSITE: WA Facebook Link
2022 NPO Child Support And Shared Parenting Report Card
WHY DID WASHINGTON RECEIVE AN F?
POSITIVES:
None
NEGATIVES:
Washington is one of only 9 states lacking a presumptive parenting time adjustment formula; instead it relies on unnecessarily costly and lengthy court deviation procedures generally inaccessible to lower income parents. The lack of a presumptive PTA as an integral component of mandated presumptive child support guidelines arguably violates federal regulatory requirements.
2019 NPO Shared Parenting Report Card
WHY DID WASHINGTON RECEIVE A C?
POSITIVES:
Washington statutes allow each parent to submit a temporary parenting plan with a motion that it be incorporated into temporary orders. This plan will include all aspects of decision-making authority as well as residential arrangements for the child. This, in effect, permits joint legal custody and shared physical custody during temporary orders. WASH. REV. CODE § 26.09.194
Washington statutes recognize three methods a court may use to settle decision-making authority in permanent parenting plans: allocation of decision-making authority; sole decision-making authority; and mutual decision-making authority. WASH. REV. CODE § 26.09.194
Washington statutes contain language encouraging shared parenting. WASH. REV. CODE § 26.09.187(3)
NEGATIVES:
Washington has no statutory preference for, or presumption of, shared parenting (joint legal custody and shared physical custody) for temporary or final orders.
Highlights:
In instances of divorce or separation:
95% of those in Washington believe it is in the child’s best interest to have as much time as possible with each parent.
92% in Washington expressed a commitment to vote their beliefs in being “more likely to vote for a candidate who supports children spending equal or nearly equal time with each parent following separation or divorce when both parents are fit and willing to be parents.
85% of those in Washington indicated they would support a change in Washington law that awards children as much time as possible with each parent.
77% believe that when there is conflict between parents, awarding sole custody to one parent increases conflict.
87% believe that Washington should promote shared parenting for all children with separated parents.
83% believe that both parents should have equal rights and responsibilities following divorce or separation.
