Custody and Parenting Plans for Unmarried Parents
If you were never married to the other parent, you can still ask the court for a parenting plan and related orders. The “right starting point” depends on what already exists (if anything) in your case—especially whether parentage and support have been established.
Start here: Child Custody Overview
Most common situations (and where they usually start)
1) No court orders yet
When there are no existing orders, the first step is typically requesting a parenting plan and any needed temporary orders. In some situations, you may also need to address parentage first.
Related: Establish Parentage
2) Child support exists, but no parenting plan
Some parents have a child support order in place, but no parenting plan. This can change the strategy for what to file and how to describe the history of the case. We help you identify what orders already exist and prepare the paperwork accordingly.
Related: Child Support Services
3) A parenting plan already exists and needs to change
If you already have a parenting plan and need a change in residential schedule, decision-making, or other major terms, your case usually proceeds as a modification matter. The correct forms and supporting declarations depend on what you’re asking the court to change and why.
Document preparation assistance
Delta Paralegals provides family law document preparation assistance for clients in Snohomish County, Washington. We can help assemble and prepare the filings for unmarried-parent parenting plan matters, including supporting documents and clear requested orders.
Related custody pages
- Child Custody Overview (Hub)
- Temporary Custody During Divorce
- Custody Modifications After Divorce
- Minor Guardianship (Former Non-Parent Custody)
Call
To discuss what you have already (if anything) and what needs to be filed next, call: 206-915-4028