Services > Child Visitation > Get Child Visitation

Get Child Visitation in Snohomish County

Establishing child visitation in Washington typically involves creating a parenting plan when no enforceable court order currently exists. These cases may arise from unmarried parent situations, separations without divorce, or cases where support was set without a parenting plan. This page focuses on how visitation is established and the filings used to request a court-ordered parenting plan. For full child visitation services and document preparation options, see our Child Visitation page.

When Child Visitation Must Be Established

• Parents were never married and no parenting plan exists
• Parents are separated but have not filed for divorce
• Child support was established without a parenting plan
• One parent has informal visitation but no enforceable court order

How visitation is typically requested

1) Petition for a parenting plan (unmarried parents)

When parents were never married, visitation is usually established by filing a petition asking the court to enter a parenting plan. We prepare the documents needed to start this process in Superior Court.

2) Motion for a parenting plan

In some cases, a motion may be appropriate to establish visitation, depending on how the case began and whether other orders already exist.

3) Parenting plan during divorce

During a divorce, either parent may request a temporary or final parenting plan to establish visitation. We prepare the required filings so visitation issues are addressed early and clearly.

What to gather before we prepare documents

• Basic information about both parents and the child
• Any existing court orders (child support or prior cases)
• A proposed visitation schedule (if you have one)
• Information about the child’s school and routine