Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

Re: child custody

18 years, unless emancipated.

Re: child custody

Eighteen. When the child is still a minor, the court is going to make that decision for the child.

Courts loathe the idea that a child has to choose between parents; it is considered very bad form to even suggest that a child do that, because it is psychologically damaging to the child (whether the child tells you so or not).

The Court appoints a Guardian ad Litem who investigates and advises the Court of the facts of the case. The idea is the GAL can provide enough information to assist the Court in making a decision.

And perhaps most importantly, there has to be a compelling reason - circumstances in the life of the NON moving party and/or the child that have become so detrimental to the child that changing the child's placement is in the child's best interest. That is a huge burden of proof.

Hope this helps. Elizabeth Powell