Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

Re: federal child custody act

You are thinking of the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act. And yes, it prevents a parent from removing a child from their home state without the permission of the other parent, IF there is a parenting plan in place.

Elizabeth Powell

Re: federal child custody act

I was not sure whether you were asking a question about a temporary-short term event or relocation. Taking the child out of the state (for example for vacation or to visit friends or relatives) is not prohibited unless specifically prohibited in the parenting plan, but relocation (that is taking the child somewhere with the intent to permanently change the child's residence) is prohibited without a court order, unless the parties agree to the relocation, and that should be made into an order (modification of the parenting plan). There is a procedure for relocation, an outline of what is required is in your parenting plan if it is less than 6 years old.