Question: Say both parents get together and agree to the grounds of temporary parenting plan. Your ex agrees he/she has XYZ problems and we both sign the plan and file it with the clerk and it was signed by commission. Halfway down the road he/she files for modification. Do the grounds of modification apply to the temporary parenting plan just like the final parenting plan?

Answer:  I am not licensed in the State of Washington so I am only able to answer this question based upon general practice.  Therefore, the specific answer in Washington may differ.

This is a pretty specific legal question relating to the law of Washington and any family law practitioner should be able to quickly answer your questions on the standard of modification in a temporary order.

In the jurisdictions that I practice it is uncommon to modify a temporary order but it is allowed.  The standard is a “substantial and continuing change has occurred that it is necessary in the best interest of the minor child to modify the order."

Spencer E. Williams is the Team Leader over St Louis, St Charles, Indianapolis and Arnold (Jefferson County, MO) offices of Cordell & Cordell, P.C. where he practices exclusively in the area of domestic relations. Mr. Williams has tried numerous cases dealing with complex custody issues, maintenance, business assets and personal asset division.