Washington State Sole Decision-Making Parenting Plan with Limited Residential Time

WASHINGTON STATE SOLE DECISION-MAKING PARENTING PLAN WITH LIMITED RESIDENTIAL TIME

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 "sole custody" or "visitation." This plan designates sole decision-making authority to one parent and establishes the other parent's residential time within a structured residential schedule. A parenting plan with sole decision-making is required when the Court makes findings under RCW 26.09.191, or when the circumstances warrant it under RCW 26.09.187.

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Children Covered by This Plan

B. Identification of Parents

Parent with Sole Decision-Making Authority ("Primary Parent"):
Name: [________________________________]
☐ Petitioner ☐ Respondent

Parent with Limited Residential Time ("Other Parent"):
Name: [________________________________]
☐ Petitioner ☐ Respondent

C. Basis for This Plan

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

D. Parenting Seminar Compliance (RCW 26.12.172)

☐ Primary Parent completed the mandatory parenting seminar on [__/__/____]
☐ Other Parent completed the mandatory parenting seminar on [__/__/____]
☐ Waiver granted for: [________________________________] because:
☐ Domestic violence or abuse making mutual attendance inappropriate (RCW 26.12.172(3))
☐ Other good cause: [________________________________]

II. LIMITATIONS FINDINGS (RCW 26.09.191 / 26.09.192)

A. Mandatory Limitations (RCW 26.09.191(1))

The Court has made, or the parties stipulate to, the following findings regarding the Other Parent:

☐ No mandatory limitations found. Sole decision-making is based on factors other than RCW 26.09.191 findings. (Skip to Section II.B.)

☐ Mandatory limitations apply. The Court finds or the parties stipulate that the Other Parent has engaged in or been found to have committed the following:

☐ Willful abandonment that continued for an extended period of time
☐ Physical abuse of a child
☐ Sexual abuse of a child
☐ A pattern of emotional abuse of a child
☐ History of acts of domestic violence as defined in RCW 7.105.010, or assault causing grievous bodily harm or fear of such harm
☐ Sexual assault
☐ Conviction of a sex offense against a child (RCW 26.09.192 — additional limitations apply)

Consequences of Mandatory Limitations:
When these findings are made, the Court SHALL:

1. Award sole decision-making to the Primary Parent;
2. Limit the dispute resolution process to court action only (no mediation or arbitration);
3. Limit, restrict, or preclude the Other Parent's residential time as described in Section IV below.

B. Discretionary Limitations (RCW 26.09.191(3))

☐ No discretionary limitations apply.
☐ The following discretionary limitations apply to the Other Parent:

☐ Neglect or substantial nonperformance of parenting functions
☐ Long-term emotional or physical impairment that interferes with parenting
☐ Long-term impairment resulting from drug, alcohol, or other substance abuse
☐ Absence or substantial impairment of emotional ties between the Other Parent and the child
☐ Abusive use of conflict by the Other Parent, creating danger of serious damage to the child's psychological development
☐ Withholding the child from the Primary Parent for an extended period without good cause
☐ Other: [________________________________]

C. Basis for Sole Decision-Making (if not based on RCW 26.09.191 findings)

If no limitations under RCW 26.09.191 apply, sole decision-making is appropriate because:
☐ Geographic distance prevents meaningful joint decision-making
☐ The parents' inability to communicate and cooperate makes joint decision-making contrary to the children's best interests
☐ The Other Parent's work schedule or other commitments make joint decision-making impractical
☐ Other: [________________________________]

III. SOLE DECISION-MAKING AUTHORITY

A. Scope of Sole Decision-Making

The Primary Parent shall have the sole right and responsibility to make all major decisions for the children, including:

1. Education — school enrollment, school district selection, special education services (IEP/504 plan decisions), tutoring, homeschool decisions
2. Non-emergency health care — selection of physicians, dentists, and other health care providers; authorization of treatment, procedures, and medications; decisions regarding vaccinations
3. Mental health services — counseling, therapy, psychiatric care, and psychological evaluations
4. Religious upbringing — religious education, participation, and observance
5. Extracurricular activities — sports, clubs, lessons, camps, and other activities
6. Child care — selection of child care providers
7. Travel — authorization for domestic and international travel

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. However, day-to-day decisions made by the Other Parent during residential time shall not conflict with the Primary Parent's major decisions.

C. Emergency Decisions

Either parent may make emergency decisions affecting the health or safety of the child (RCW 26.09.184(4)). The parent making such a decision shall notify the other parent immediately.

D. Consultation (Optional)

☐ The Primary Parent ☐ shall ☐ is not required to consult with the Other Parent before making major decisions. If consultation is required, the Primary Parent retains final decision-making authority if the parents disagree.

IV. RESIDENTIAL SCHEDULE

A. Primary Residence

The children shall reside primarily with the Primary Parent at [________________________________].

The Primary Parent's home shall be designated as the children's residence for purposes of school enrollment, voter registration, and all other state and federal statutes requiring a designation of custodial parent.

B. Other Parent's Residential Time

Select the applicable residential schedule:

☐ Schedule A — Standard Residential Time

• Alternating weekends from Friday at [____] PM to Sunday at [____] PM
• One weekday evening per week ([________________________________]) from [____] PM to [____] PM (no overnight)
• [____] weeks of summer vacation with [____] days' advance written notice

☐ Schedule B — Extended Residential Time

• Alternating weekends from Friday after school to Monday morning (school drop-off)
• One weekday overnight per week ([________________________________]) from after school to the following morning (school drop-off)
• [____] weeks of summer vacation with [____] days' advance written notice

☐ Schedule C — Supervised Residential Time (when RCW 26.09.191 restrictions apply)

• Frequency: [________________________________]
• Duration of each visit: [________________________________]

• Location: ☐ Supervised visitation center: [________________________________]
  ☐ In the presence of an approved supervisor: [________________________________]

• The supervisor shall be:
  ☐ A professional supervisor approved by the Court
  ☐ A mutually agreed-upon responsible adult: [________________________________]

• Conditions for supervised residential time:
  ☐ The Other Parent shall not use alcohol or controlled substances within 24 hours before or during visits
  ☐ The Other Parent shall comply with all directives of the supervisor
  ☐ The Other Parent shall not discuss the legal proceedings with the children
  ☐ Other conditions: [________________________________]

• Costs of supervision shall be paid by: ☐ Other Parent ☐ Shared ☐ Other: [________________________________]

☐ Schedule D — Graduated/Step-Up Residential Time
Phase 1 (months 1–[____]): [________________________________]
Phase 2 (months [____]–[____]): [________________________________]
Phase 3 (months [____]+): [________________________________]
Progression from one phase to the next requires: ☐ Mutual agreement ☐ Court order ☐ Compliance with treatment conditions in Section V

☐ Schedule E — No Residential Time
The Court has found that the Other Parent's contact with the children would cause serious harm. The Other Parent shall have no residential time. The Court's findings supporting this determination are: [________________________________]

☐ Schedule F — Custom Schedule
[________________________________]
[________________________________]

C. Holiday Schedule

☐ The Other Parent shall have holiday residential time as follows:

☐ The Other Parent shall have no holiday residential time due to the following restrictions: [________________________________]

D. Exchange Arrangements

Exchange location: [________________________________]
☐ Neutral public location: [________________________________]
☐ Supervised exchange location: [________________________________]
☐ School
☐ Other: [________________________________]

Transportation: ☐ Primary Parent ☐ Other Parent ☐ Shared ☐ Other: [________________________________]

Supervised exchanges required: ☐ Yes — Supervisor/location: [________________________________] ☐ No

V. CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR OTHER PARENT

A. Treatment and Compliance Requirements

The following conditions apply to the Other Parent's residential time:

☐ Not applicable — no conditions imposed.
☐ The following conditions are imposed:

☐ Completion of a state-certified domestic violence perpetrator treatment program: [________________________________]
☐ Completion of substance abuse evaluation and compliance with all treatment recommendations
☐ Random urinalysis/drug testing at the Other Parent's expense — frequency: [________________________________]
☐ Completion of an approved parenting education program beyond the mandatory seminar
☐ Participation in individual counseling or therapy with a licensed provider
☐ Compliance with a current no-contact order or protection order: [________________________________]
☐ No use of alcohol within [____] hours of or during residential time
☐ Other: [________________________________]

B. Progress Review

☐ The parties agree to review the Other Parent's compliance and the appropriateness of current restrictions every [____] months.
☐ Modification of restrictions requires a petition under RCW 26.09.260 and a showing that the conditions warranting restrictions have changed.

VI. DISPUTE RESOLUTION (RCW 26.09.184(3))

A. When RCW 26.09.191 Findings Exist

☐ Because the Court has found the existence of conditions under RCW 26.09.191(1) (domestic violence, abuse, sexual assault, abandonment), dispute resolution other than court action is precluded. The sole dispute resolution mechanism is petition to the Superior Court.

B. When No RCW 26.09.191 Findings Exist

☐ The parties shall attempt mediation before petitioning the Court for non-emergency disputes.
☐ Mediation costs shall be: ☐ Equally shared ☐ Borne by the Other Parent ☐ Proportionate to income ☐ Other: [________________________________]

C. Emergency Relief

Either parent may seek emergency relief from the Superior Court at any time to protect the children's health, safety, or welfare, without first utilizing mediation or any other dispute resolution process.

VII. COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION

A. Parent-to-Parent Communication

1. Communication regarding the children shall be conducted through: ☐ Email ☐ Co-parenting application ☐ Text ☐ Through attorneys ☐ Other: [________________________________]

2. ☐ Direct verbal communication is appropriate.
   ☐ Direct verbal communication is restricted to emergencies only.
   ☐ All communication shall occur through a co-parenting application or in writing.

3. The Primary Parent shall provide the Other Parent with reasonable information about the children's health, education, and welfare.

B. Parent-Child Communication

1. The Primary Parent shall facilitate reasonable telephone or video contact between the children and the Other Parent: [________________________________] (frequency and time).
2. ☐ Communication between the Other Parent and the children is unrestricted.
   ☐ Communication is limited to: [________________________________]

C. Information Access

The Other Parent shall have the right to access the children's school and medical records directly from the institution or provider, to the extent permitted by law (RCW 26.09.225).

VIII. RELOCATION (RCW 26.09.405–26.09.560)

A. Primary Parent Relocation

1. If the Primary Parent intends to relocate, written notice must be provided to the Other Parent at least sixty (60) days in advance via personal service or certified mail, return receipt requested (RCW 26.09.480).
2. The notice must include the new address (if known), telephone number, date of relocation, reasons, and a proposed revised residential schedule.
3. There is a rebuttable presumption that the intended relocation will be permitted (RCW 26.09.520).

B. Other Parent Relocation

If the Other Parent relocates, the Other Parent shall provide written notice to the Primary Parent within [____] days and propose modifications to the residential schedule as needed.

IX. GUARDIAN AD LITEM (RCW 26.09.220)

☐ A Guardian ad Litem was appointed in this matter.

• Name: [________________________________]
• The GAL recommended: [________________________________]
• GAL fees allocated: [________________________________]
  ☐ No Guardian ad Litem was appointed.

X. ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

A. Non-Disparagement

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

B. 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.

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.

D. Introduction of New Partners

☐ The Other Parent shall not expose the children to overnight guests of a romantic nature during residential time.
☐ Neither parent shall allow a new romantic partner to be present overnight until the relationship has been ongoing for at least [____] months.

E. No Interference with Primary Parent's Authority

The Other Parent shall not interfere with the Primary Parent's decision-making authority and shall not make major decisions for the children during residential time without the Primary Parent's prior written approval.

F. Passports and International Travel

☐ The children's passports shall be held by the Primary Parent.
☐ International travel by the Other Parent with the children requires prior written consent of the Primary Parent and Court approval.
☐ The children shall not travel internationally with the Other Parent due to: [________________________________]

XI. MODIFICATION (RCW 26.09.260)

This parenting plan may be modified only upon compliance with RCW 26.09.260, which requires:

1. A showing of adequate cause based on substantial changed circumstances arising after entry of this plan;
2. A finding that modification serves the children's best interests; and
3. Satisfaction of one of the statutory grounds (mutual agreement, integration, detriment to child, or contempt/custodial interference).

The restrictions in this plan imposed under RCW 26.09.191 may be modified only upon a showing that the conduct or conditions giving rise to the restrictions no longer exist and removal of the restrictions is in the children's best interests.

XII. EXECUTION

We, the undersigned, have read this 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.

PRIMARY PARENT:

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

Printed Name: [________________________________]

OTHER PARENT:

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

Printed Name: [________________________________]

ATTORNEYS (if applicable):

Attorney for Petitioner: _______________________________ WSBA No. [________________________________]

Attorney for Respondent: _______________________________ WSBA No. [________________________________]

XIII. ORDER

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

FINDINGS

1. ☐ The Court finds that the conditions specified in RCW 26.09.191 exist and sole decision-making with limited residential time is required.
   ☐ The parties have stipulated to sole decision-making based on the circumstances described herein.

2. ☐ The residential schedule is consistent with the limitations imposed.

3. ☐ This parenting plan is in the best interests of the children.

ORDER

☐ The Parenting Plan is APPROVED and ADOPTED as an order of this Court.
☐ The Parenting Plan is APPROVED 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: 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 26.09.225 — Access to Records: https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=26.09.225
• 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/
• WA State Bar News — "Get With the Plan" (New Parenting Plan Form): https://wabarnews.org/2025/10/15/new-parenting-plan-form/