Spokane County Visitation Attorney

Washington State laws do not discuss custody and visitation as separate issues. Instead, both are components in a parenting plan that outlines how you and the other parent share time with your children. This plan sets the visitation schedule, including vacations, holidays, and sometimes even how and when you exchange information about your children.

In Washington State, there is no standard parenting plan. This means you have more control over a making a plan that works for you and your children. However, it also leaves more room for disagreements with the other parent.

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Any issue that could potentially limit your time with your children requires a skilled Spokane child custody attorney. The lawyers at Crouse Erickson understand how important it is to build a strong case to show the effect quality time with you has on your children’s well-being. We offer representation during contested or uncontested divorces, help with establishing a parenting plan for unmarried parents, and advice on navigating visitation issues after a plan is in place.

To schedule a time to discuss your case, call our Spokane office at 509-624-1380.

How can you help me with my visitation issue?

Custody and visitation is often the most hotly contested aspect of a divorce, with parents battling one another for as much time with their children as possible. Having a knowledgeable Spokane divorce lawyer familiar with visitation issues on your side is the best way to facilitate an agreement with your former partner or make changes to an existing parenting plan.

Our attorneys have an extensive background in all areas of Washington State child custody disputes, allowing us to act with experience and skill no matter your situation. All too often, these situations include disagreements between parents over aspects of the parenting plan or a parent who refuses to follow the provisions in it.

We can help you resolve arguments about implementation of any aspect of your custody and visitation, either through the Dispute Resolution Provisions in your parenting plan, mediation, or legal action. If your co-parent fails to follow the parenting plan properly, we can take action. This may include filing a Motion for Contempt to uphold the court’s visitation order outlined in the plan.

How can I change my Spokane parenting plan?

To modify your Spokane parenting plan, you must have a substantial change in circumstances. The court will not hear motions otherwise. We work to show you experienced this type of change and that the change occurred after the court finalized your parenting plan. A “substantial change” can mean almost anything as long as it significantly affects one parent’s ability to fulfill the needs of the children.

Some of the most commonly modified terms in a parenting plan include:

• Visitation schedules
• Vacation and holiday schedules
• How and when exchanges take place
• How often parents communicate, both with the other parent and with the children
• Whether a parent can move with a child

Sometimes, parents come to us fearful for their children’s safety. Washington State courts typically believe it is in the best interests of children to have a stable, loving relationship with both parents. In some cases, though, they will suspend visitation or require supervised visitation if the child is in danger while in the care of one parent. If you believe your children may be in danger, take action immediately to protect them.

We will present strong evidence to prove to the court that unsupervised visitation with the other parent will put your children in a risky situation.

What factors do courts consider in deciding custody and visitation issues?

Washington State family law courts consider many different factors when putting a parenting plan into place, ruling on a disagreement, or modifying a previous plan. The factors considered include:

• Which parent currently acts as the primary caregiver
• The current visitation schedule and its pros and cons
• The ability of each parent to care for the child
• Each parent’s lifestyle
• The geographic location of each parent
• The psychological health of each parent, and the child
• The relationship the child has with siblings, family, and friends at each home
• The child’s involvement in school and extracurricular activities at each home
• The child’s wishes, although this is not often a deciding factor even with teens

Do I need a lawyer for my Spokane visitation issues?

There is nothing more important than the physical, mental, and emotional health of your children. When something threatens your time with them, it is important to take action as soon as possible. Visitation is a serious matter, and requires a knowledgeable and skillful Spokane family law attorney.

We manage all aspects of your case, from gathering documents and preparing for court to representing your interests to the judge. We help you understand all aspects of your case, and empower you to make the best choices for both you and your children.

Crouse Erickson: Spokane Child Visitation Attorneys

The lawyers at Crouse Erickson understand the complexities of child custody disputes and visitation issues. We help clients navigate all aspects of the process, keeping their children’s best interests in mind. Call our Spokane office today at 509-624-1380 to schedule a time to meet with one of our Washington State visitation attorneys.