Washington Courts: News and Information

Information on Parenting Plans in Washington State

On March 26, Governor Jay Inslee issued the following order addressing parent/child visitation in dependency matters.  That order and the Governor’s messages announcing it clarify that Washington's “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order does not prevent compliance with private parenting plans for residents of Washington State.   

Further, "the governor encourages parents who are co-parenting under a parenting plan to communicate with one another during this difficult time in order to both maintain family relationships and to protect the best interests and health of each child."  Further information can be found online at www.governor.wa.gov.

For additional information on co-parenting during this difficult time, a special resource page of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) can be found at www.afccnet.org/Coronavirus.  The AFCC and the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers has also published seven guidelines for parents who are divorced/separated and sharing custody of children during the COVID 19 Pandemic.  

Both links and additional information can be found on the Washington Courts’ dedicated COVID Response web page at www.courts.wa.gov/COVID19