Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

Re: Adequacy/Threshold hearing

Because of the need to maintain a child's stability, modification of a parenting plan requires a substantial change of circumstances. (See RCW 26.09.260 at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=26.09.260). In order to avoid needless litigation and cost, as well as needlessly undermining the child's stability, the law requires the court to determine if there is "adequate cause" to go forward. See RCW 26.09.270 at http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=26.09.270, which states in part: "The court shall deny the motion unless it finds that adequate cause for hearing the motion is established by the affidavits, in which case it shall set a date for hearing on an order to show cause why the requested order or modification should not be granted."