Washington State Joint Decision-Making and Shared Residential Schedule Parenting Plan

WASHINGTON STATE JOINT DECISION-MAKING AND SHARED RESIDENTIAL SCHEDULE PARENTING PLAN

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF [________________________________]

NOTE ON WASHINGTON TERMINOLOGY: Washington does not use the terms "custody" or "visitation." Instead, Washington uses "parenting plan," "residential schedule," and "decision-making authority." Under RCW 26.09.187(3)(a), the Court may order that a child frequently alternate residence between both households for substantially equal intervals of time when doing so is in the child's best interests.

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Children Covered by This Plan

B. Basis for This Plan

☐ Agreement of the parties
☐ Court order following trial
☐ Other: [________________________________]

C. Parenting Seminar Completion (RCW 26.12.172)

☐ Petitioner has completed the mandatory parenting seminar on [__/__/____]
☐ Respondent has completed the mandatory parenting seminar on [__/__/____]
☐ Certificates filed with the Court

D. Geographic Proximity

The Court has considered the parties' geographic proximity as required by RCW 26.09.187(3)(a) when determining whether substantially equal residential time is appropriate.

• Petitioner's residence: [________________________________]
• Respondent's residence: [________________________________]
• Distance between residences: approximately [____] miles
• Children's school: [________________________________]
• Distance from Petitioner's home to school: approximately [____] miles
• Distance from Respondent's home to school: approximately [____] miles

II. LIMITATIONS DETERMINATION (RCW 26.09.191 / 26.09.192)

A. Findings

☐ No limitations apply to either parent. The Court finds no basis for mandatory or discretionary limitations under RCW 26.09.191 or 26.09.192. Joint decision-making and shared residential time are appropriate.

☐ Limitations apply. Joint decision-making and/or shared residential schedules may not be appropriate where limitations exist. See attached limitation findings. (Note: If mandatory limitations apply to either parent under RCW 26.09.191, the Court must order sole decision-making to the non-limited parent and may not order mutual dispute resolution other than court action.)

B. Domestic Violence Screening

☐ Neither parent has a history of acts of domestic violence as defined in RCW 7.105.010.
☐ A history of domestic violence exists. The following limitations are imposed: [________________________________]

III. JOINT DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY (RCW 26.09.184(4))

A. Allocation

The parents shall share joint decision-making authority for the following major decisions:

B. Day-to-Day Decisions

Each parent shall make decisions regarding the day-to-day care and control of each child while the child is residing with that parent. Day-to-day decisions include routine matters such as bedtime, homework, hygiene, diet, clothing, discipline, and daily scheduling.

C. Emergency Decisions

Either parent may make emergency decisions affecting the health or safety of the child regardless of the allocation of decision-making authority (RCW 26.09.184(4)). The parent making an emergency decision shall notify the other parent as soon as reasonably possible.

D. Joint Decision-Making Protocol

1. The parent identifying a decision shall notify the other parent in writing (email, text, or co-parenting application) with all relevant information.
2. Both parents shall confer within [____] days and attempt to reach agreement in good faith.
3. If agreement is not reached, the parents shall submit the matter to the dispute resolution process in Section VI.
4. Neither parent shall make a unilateral major decision unless an emergency exists.

E. Information Access

Both parents shall have full and equal access to all records and information concerning the children, including:

• School records, report cards, progress reports, IEP/504 plans
• Medical, dental, vision, and mental health records
• Childcare provider information
• Insurance information
• Extracurricular activity schedules

Both parents shall be listed as emergency contacts and authorized persons at all schools, providers, and activities.

IV. SHARED RESIDENTIAL SCHEDULE (RCW 26.09.187(3)(a))

A. Substantially Equal Residential Time

The parents shall share substantially equal residential time with the children. The Court has determined (or the parents agree) that substantially equal time is in the children's best interests based on the factors in RCW 26.09.187(3), with the greatest weight given to the relative strength, nature, and stability of the child's relationship with each parent.

B. Regular Schedule

Select one of the following residential schedules:

☐ Option 1 — Alternating Weeks (Week On / Week Off)
The children shall reside with Petitioner from [________________________________] at [____] AM/PM through [________________________________] at [____] AM/PM, then with Respondent for the following week on the same schedule, alternating thereafter.

☐ Option 2 — 2-2-3 Rotation

• Week 1: Children with Petitioner Monday–Tuesday; with Respondent Wednesday–Thursday; with Petitioner Friday–Sunday
• Week 2: Children with Respondent Monday–Tuesday; with Petitioner Wednesday–Thursday; with Respondent Friday–Sunday
• This two-week cycle repeats throughout the year.

☐ Option 3 — 3-4-4-3 Rotation

• Week 1: Children with Petitioner Monday–Wednesday; with Respondent Thursday–Sunday
• Week 2: Children with Respondent Monday–Wednesday; with Petitioner Thursday–Sunday

☐ Option 4 — 5-2-2-5 Schedule

• Children with Petitioner every Monday and Tuesday; with Respondent every Wednesday and Thursday; alternating Friday–Sunday between parents.

☐ Option 5 — Custom Schedule
[________________________________]
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

C. Exchange Arrangements

Exchange location: [________________________________]
Exchange time: [____] AM/PM
Transportation: ☐ Receiving parent picks up ☐ Delivering parent transports ☐ Shared equally ☐ Other: [________________________________]

D. Holiday Schedule

Holidays supersede the regular residential schedule:

E. Summer/Vacation Schedule

1. Each parent shall have [____] weeks of uninterrupted vacation time with the children per calendar year.
2. Vacation requests shall be submitted in writing by [________________________________] each year.
3. The other parent shall respond within [____] days.
4. If both parents request the same period, ☐ Petitioner ☐ Respondent shall have first choice in even years, with the other parent having first choice in odd years.
5. Each parent shall provide the other with a detailed itinerary, contact information, and lodging addresses before departure.

F. Designation for Other Purposes

For purposes of other state and federal statutes requiring a designation of custody or a custodial parent (e.g., school enrollment, tax dependency), the children shall be deemed to reside primarily with ☐ Petitioner ☐ Respondent. This designation does not affect the equal residential time or joint decision-making provisions of this plan.

V. COMMUNICATION

A. Between Parents

1. Parents shall communicate regarding the children through: ☐ Telephone ☐ Email ☐ Text ☐ Co-parenting application (e.g., OurFamilyWizard, TalkingParents) ☐ Other: [________________________________]
2. Communications shall be respectful, business-like, and child-focused.
3. Non-emergency messages shall receive a response within [____] hours.
4. Emergency communications shall be by telephone; the other parent shall respond immediately.

B. Between Parent and Child

1. Each parent shall facilitate daily telephone or video contact between the children and the other parent at reasonable times during that parent's residential time.
2. Neither parent shall monitor, intercept, or interfere with private communications between the children and the other parent.
3. Neither parent shall use the children as messengers or intermediaries.

C. Non-Disparagement

Neither parent shall make derogatory or disparaging remarks about the other parent, the other parent's family members, or household in the presence or hearing of the children.

VI. DISPUTE RESOLUTION (RCW 26.09.184(3))

A. Process

☐ Step 1 — Direct Communication: Parents shall first attempt to resolve disputes through direct, respectful discussion.

☐ Step 2 — Mediation: If direct communication fails, the parents shall submit the dispute to mediation with:
☐ A mutually agreed-upon mediator
☐ A specific mediator: [________________________________]
☐ A mediator selected through [________________________________] County dispute resolution center

☐ Step 3 — Arbitration (limited to financial disputes): Non-residential-schedule financial disputes may be submitted to binding arbitration. Residential schedule and decision-making disputes remain within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Superior Court.

☐ Step 4 — Court Action: If mediation fails to resolve the dispute, either parent may petition the Superior Court.

B. Costs

Mediation and dispute resolution costs shall be shared: ☐ Equally ☐ Proportionate to income ☐ Other: [________________________________]

C. Exception

☐ Dispute resolution other than court action is precluded because limitations under RCW 26.09.191/192 have been found. The sole dispute resolution mechanism is court action.

VII. RELOCATION (RCW 26.09.405–26.09.560)

A. Impact on Shared Schedule

Both parents acknowledge that the substantially equal residential schedule in this plan depends on geographic proximity. Relocation by either parent may require modification of this plan.

B. Notice Requirements

1. A parent intending to relocate must provide the other parent with written notice at least sixty (60) days before the intended relocation date (RCW 26.09.480).
2. Notice must be served by personal service or certified mail, return receipt requested.
3. The notice must include:
   - Intended new residence address (if known)
   - Telephone number at new residence (if known)
   - Date of intended relocation
   - Brief statement of reasons for the proposed relocation
   - Proposed revised residential schedule
   - Information about the right to object

C. Objection and Hearing

1. The non-relocating parent may file an objection and petition to prevent relocation or modify the parenting plan within thirty (30) days of receiving notice.
2. There is a rebuttable presumption that relocation will be permitted (RCW 26.09.520).
3. The court shall consider the eleven factors in RCW 26.09.520 when determining whether to permit relocation.

VIII. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

A. Consistency Between Households

The parents shall use reasonable efforts to maintain consistency in the children's routines, including bedtimes, homework expectations, screen time limits, and discipline approaches.

B. Right of First Refusal

☐ Not applicable.
☐ If either parent will be absent from the children for more than [____] consecutive hours during that parent's residential time, that parent shall first offer the other parent the opportunity to care for the children before arranging third-party childcare.

C. Substance Restrictions

Neither parent shall use illegal controlled substances or consume alcohol to the point of impairment while the children are in that parent's care or within [____] hours before the start of residential time.

D. Firearms Safety

All firearms in either parent's household shall be stored unloaded in a locked container with ammunition stored separately, inaccessible to the children.

E. New Romantic Partners

Neither parent shall have a new romantic partner stay overnight in the home while the children are present until the relationship has been ongoing for at least [____] months, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

F. Travel

1. Domestic travel outside Washington requires [____] days' advance written notice to the other parent, including itinerary and contact information.
2. International travel requires written consent of both parents and [____] days' advance notice. Both parents shall have access to the children's passports. The children's passports shall be held by [________________________________].

G. Medical Insurance and Expenses

1. [________________________________] shall maintain health, dental, and vision insurance for the children.
2. Unreimbursed medical, dental, vision, and mental health expenses shall be shared: ☐ Equally ☐ Proportionate to income ☐ Other: [________________________________]
3. The parent incurring the expense shall provide documentation to the other parent within [____] days.
4. The other parent shall reimburse their share within [____] days of receiving documentation.

H. Tax Dependency

☐ Parents shall alternate claiming the children as dependents for tax purposes — Petitioner in even years, Respondent in odd years.
☐ Other arrangement: [________________________________]

IX. MODIFICATION (RCW 26.09.260)

This parenting plan may be modified only as provided in RCW 26.09.260. The residential schedule may be modified upon a showing of adequate cause based on a substantial change in circumstances and a finding that modification is in the best interests of the child. Both parents agree not to seek modification solely for financial or tactical advantage.

X. EXECUTION

We, the undersigned, have read this Joint Decision-Making and Shared Residential Schedule Parenting Plan, understand its terms, and agree to abide by its provisions.

We affirm under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington that the foregoing is true and correct.

PETITIONER:

Signature: _______________________________ Date: [__/__/____]

Printed Name: [________________________________]

RESPONDENT:

Signature: _______________________________ Date: [__/__/____]

Printed Name: [________________________________]

ATTORNEYS (if applicable):

Attorney for Petitioner: _______________________________ WSBA No. [________________________________]

Attorney for Respondent: _______________________________ WSBA No. [________________________________]

XI. ORDER

The Court, having reviewed the foregoing Parenting Plan, any supporting declarations, and having considered the criteria in RCW 26.09.187 and the limitations analysis under RCW 26.09.191 and 26.09.192, hereby:

☐ APPROVES and ADOPTS this Parenting Plan as an order of this Court.
☐ APPROVES with the following modifications: [________________________________]

Date: [__/__/____]

_________________________________
Judge/Commissioner
Superior Court of Washington, County of [________________________________]

SOURCES AND REFERENCES

• RCW 26.09.184 — Permanent Parenting Plan: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=26.09.184
• RCW 26.09.187 — Criteria for Permanent Parenting Plan (including equal residential time provision): https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=26.09.187
• RCW 26.09.191 — Mandatory and Discretionary Limitations: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=26.09.191
• RCW 26.09.192 — Limitations for Sex Offenses Against Children: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=26.09.192
• RCW 26.09.220 — Guardian ad Litem: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=26.09.220
• RCW 26.09.260 — Modification of Parenting Plan: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=26.09.260
• RCW 26.09.405–26.09.560 — Relocation: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=26.09.405
• RCW 26.12.172 — Mandatory Parenting Seminars: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=26.12.172
• ESHB 1620 (2025) — Updates to RCW 26.09.191 and new RCW 26.09.192, effective July 27, 2025
• Washington State Courts Forms: https://www.courts.wa.gov/forms/