According to Washington laws, you and the other parent should consider the following factors when making decisions regarding the development of your parenting plan:
1. Provide for the child's physical care.
2. Maintain the child's emotional stability.
3. Provide for the child's changing needs as the child grows and matures, in a way that minimizes the need for future modifications to the permanent parenting plan.
4. Set forth the authority and responsibilities of each parent with respect to the child.
5. Minimize the child's exposure to harmful parental conflict.
6. Encourage the parents to meet their responsibilities to their minor children through agreements in the permanent parenting plan, rather than by relying on judicial intervention.
7. To otherwise protect the best interests of the child.
The Washington courts realize you and the other parent know your own situation better than anyone else, which is why this is your opportunity to create a parenting plan that will maintain a family structure that is in the best interests of your child(ren).