Non Parental Visitation Rights

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Summary

Non-parents in Washington can seek visitation rights by proving a significant relationship with the child and that its in the childs best interest. As the primary custodial parent, you must follow existing court orders. If the non-custodial parent seeks unsupervised visitation, the court will consider the stability and safety of their home. If visitation is not outlined in a custody order and parties cannot agree, you cannot arbitrarily deny visitation. Follow the existing parenting plan, and consider filing a petition to modify it if necessary. Mediation may be required to resolve disputes.

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Child visitation issues regarding non-parental members
Hi ****, I can provide some general information on this matter. In Washington, non-parents (like grandparents) can seek visitation rights under certain conditions.
- The non-parent must prove a significant relationship with the child.
- It must be in the best interest of the child.
- A petition needs to be filed in the appropriate court.
Could you specify your relationship to the child and any existing court orders?
I'm the primary custodial parent
Thank you for the information, ****. To better assist you, could you let me know if there have been any previous court orders regarding visitation rights for the non-parental members?
no
In Washington, as the primary custodial parent, if no previous court orders exist, non-parental members can still file a petition for visitation rights. Here are the key steps:
- The non-parent must demonstrate a significant relationship with the child.
- They must prove that visitation is in the best interest of the child.
- A petition must be filed in the appropriate county's Superior Court.

King County Superior Court


Phone: (*) *-*
Address: * 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA *
Website: www.kingcounty.gov/courts/superior-court

Would you like more information on how to respond to a visitation petition if one is filed?
What if non custodial parent wants unsupervised visitation within their own abode
In Washington, if the non-custodial parent seeks unsupervised visitation at their home, the court will consider several factors to determine if it's in the child's best interest. Here are some key points:
- The stability and safety of the non-custodial parent's home.
- The relationship between the non-custodial parent and the child.
- Any past history of abuse or neglect.
Would you like information on how to modify an existing visitation order?
Can I deny visitation if it is not outlined in a custody order or parties cannot agree
In Washington, if visitation is not outlined in a custody order and the parties cannot agree, you generally cannot arbitrarily deny visitation. Here are some key points to consider:
- You must follow the existing court orders.
- If you believe visitation is not in the child's best interest, you can seek a modification of the custody order.
Would you like information on how to file for a modification of the custody order?
If both parties can't agree on visitation outside of what is outlined in parenting plan what happens
If both parties cannot agree on visitation outside of what is outlined in the parenting plan, the existing court order remains in effect. Here are the key points:
- Follow the existing parenting plan as ordered by the court.
- Either party can file a petition to modify the parenting plan if they believe changes are necessary.
- Mediation may be required to resolve disputes.
Would you like more information on how to file a petition to modify the parenting plan?