Child Custody News

The Party Responding To The Petition Is Called The Respondent

The respondent has a limited time in which to file a written Response with the clerk of the court. The Response must be filed within 20 days after being served the Summons and Petition (or 60 days if the respondent is served out of state, or 60 days if the responding party is served by publication pursuant to an order allowing service by publication; or 90 days if the responding party is served by mail pursuant to an order allowing service by mail). The respondent must also make arrangements to have copies of the written response served on the petitioner or the petitioner's lawyer within the same time period. If the respondent fails to file or serve a written Response within the required time period the court may enter a default judgment against the respondent.

B. Use the Pattern Forms for Nonparental Custody

Here is where you can get the pattern legal forms you must use in a nonparental custody case, and the instructions for the forms:

stationery stores and bookstores;

your local women's shelter;

county and law school law libraries;

the county clerk's offices;

courthouse facilitator programs;

the Administrative Office of the Courts in Olympia, by calling the forms line at telephone (360) 705-5328;

Northwest Justice Project’s

It’s a good idea to either make a spare copy of each form you will need and use one as a rough draft, or start your forms in pencil and copy over them in ink when you have them the way you want them. Your finished forms must be completed neatly. You may type them, or print them using either blue or black ink. If you use a blue pen for signing the forms, it will be easy to tell your original signature from any photocopies you make of the original. Only documents with original, ink signatures should be filed in the clerk’s office or given to the judge in the courtroom.

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	Did You Know?
	There is a difference between joint legal custody and joint physical custody. It is important to note that joint physical custody and joint legal custody are different aspects of custody. In joint physical custody, which is also known as joint physical care, actual lodging and care of the child is shared according to a court-ordered custody schedule. In many cases, the term 'visitation' is no longer used in these circumstances. In joint legal custody, both parents share the ability to have access to educational, health, and other records, and have equal decision-making status where the welfare of the child is concerned. Click Here to Find a Nationwide Child Custody Attorney to Handle your Child Custody Case Today!