Parenting Plans

Sometimes divorcing parents get so involved in speaking ill of each other, that they (and their attorneys) overlook the factors considered by the court that are all about the children - and not about the parents' emotions.

The court will look at "the best interests" of the child.  If you left the children at home to go to church, to go fishing, or to go have an affair, the court does not care which it was.  (This is the meaning of "no-fault" divorce.)  The issue is only how much love and energy you put into the children

The court wants to know who has the strongest and most stable relationship with the child.  Who has nurtured the child?  Who has gone to the school to get lessons and made sure the child did his/her lessons?  Who has fed the child healthy meals?

And what does the child need now, and into the future, to grow and thrive?

If the child is sufficiently mature, the court might "take into account" the child's wishes, but no matter how old the child gets, the court is the decision-maker (not the child), and the court will look at which parent's home will best serve the child's growth and development.  There are some other factors, as well, but the focus remains on: Which parent has put in the time and effort to help the child grow?  If both parents have done so nearly equally, and have similar work schedules, then 50/50 plans are much more common in recent years.

Here at Mason Law we help you get beyond the irrelevant things you might want to say in pain and anger, and we help you focus on what the court needs to know about the best interests of your children. Contact Craig Mason at Mason Law at 509-443-3681 in Spokane, WA.