Parenting Act of 1987 & Updates
Under Ch. 460, Laws of 1987, the Washington State Legislature enacted new laws, codified under RCW 26.09, to be known as the Parenting Act of 1987. These laws took effect January 1, 1988. You, as a parent of a minor child (or children), should be aware of these new laws and make plans for compliance with the Act. The definition of parenting functions, the provisions and objectives of the filing of a proposed permanent parenting plan (which must be filed with all petitions and subsequent responses), and other important sections of the Act are outlined below for your reference. Amendments made after the initial enactment of the Act are included herein. Also included below are any RCWs (Revised Code of Washington) referred to by the Parenting Act. The complete RCWs are also on-line at the Washington State Legislature home page.
Under the Act, both you and your spouse must file a proposed permanent parenting plan; a final revision will be incorporated into your Decree. If you can both agree on a plan, then an Agreed Permanent Parenting Plan may be incorporated into your Decree. If you do not file such a plan, the other side may move for default.
Scroll through the Family Law links to the right to see details of the Parenting Act of 1987