Standard Parenting Time Schedules and Court Guidelines in Washington

By the FigureMyTax Editorial Team · How we calculate

Washington has no standard parenting time schedule in the statutes we read; the permanent parenting plan sets it. The court may order brief, substantially equal alternation when it serves the child, and support can deviate when the child spends a significant amount of time with the paying parent.

Does Washington have a standard parenting time schedule?

Not in the statutes we read. A permanent parenting plan must contain provisions to resolve future disputes, allocate decision-making and set residential provisions, with the aim of providing for the child’s physical care, maintaining emotional stability and minimizing harmful conflict (RCW 26.09.184).

Can the court order equal time in Washington?

Yes, where the limits in 26.09.191 and 26.09.192 are not dispositive, it may order the child to alternate frequently between the parents’ households for brief and substantially equal intervals of time if that is in the child’s best interests, considering the parents’ geographic proximity (26.09.187(3)(b)).

Pattern (other parent)	Overnights a year	Fewer-nights parent	Share of 365	Split
2 of 14 nights	52	52	14.2%	Not equal
3 of 14 nights	78	78	21.4%	Not equal
4 of 14 nights	104	104	28.5%	Not equal
5 of 14 nights	130	130	35.6%	Not equal
6 of 14 nights	156	156	42.7%	Not equal
7 of 14 nights	183	182	49.9%	Substantially equal

These are our counts of a repeating 14-day pattern before extra summer or holiday nights.

What terms can a schedule include in Washington?

Any reasonable terms or conditions that facilitate the orderly and meaningful exercise of residential time, including requirements of reasonable notice when residential time will not occur (26.09.187(3)(c)).

How does a schedule affect support in Washington?

The court may deviate from the standard calculation if the child spends a significant amount of time with the parent who pays support, but not if that would leave the receiving household with insufficient funds for the child’s basic needs or if the child receives temporary assistance for needy families; it weighs the paying parent’s increased expenses and the receiving parent’s decreased expenses (26.19.075(1)(d)).

Must the plan name the days in Washington?

The plan must include a residential schedule designating in which parent’s home each child lives on given days of the year, including provisions for holidays, birthdays of family members, vacations and other special occasions (26.09.184(6)).

Which calculators help after counting overnights in Washington?

Take the overnights to the Washington child support calculator, keep the Washington parenting time calculator count consistent with your plan and check the dates with the Washington divorce timeline calculator.

Can the court order a dispute resolution process in Washington?

Not when a limiting factor under 26.09.191 or 26.09.192 applies or a parent cannot afford it; otherwise it weighs differences that would inhibit participation, the parents’ wishes and agreements and their financial circumstances (26.09.187(1)).

What should a written schedule cover in Washington?

The regular pattern, with exchange days, times and a place.
Holidays, school breaks and summer, and how they replace the regular pattern.
The overnight count, so child support deviation questions are clear.
Decision-making, dispute resolution and communication.
Notice of a move.

What if the parents cannot agree in Washington?

The court decides on the child’s best interests. See the uncontested versus contested divorce in Washington post for how agreed and disputed cases differ.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a standard parenting schedule in Washington?

No statewide schedule appears in the statutes we read; the parenting plan sets it.

Can a Washington court order equal parenting time?

Yes, brief and substantially equal alternation if it is in the child’s best interests.

Does a 7-in-14 schedule count as substantially equal in Washington?

It is 183 and 182 overnights, which is nearly equal.

Does a 4-in-14 schedule change Washington child support?

There is no statutory line; a deviation depends on a significant amount of time and the household’s needs.

Who sets the schedule if Washington parents cannot agree?

The court, on the child’s best interests and the seven factors.

Official sources

Going through a divorce or custody case in Washington?

A local family law attorney can review your situation — many offer a free consultation.

Talk to a Washington attorney

This is general information, not legal advice. It is based on the cited Washington statutes, rules and court opinions, and every case turns on its own facts. Confirm how the law applies to your situation with a licensed Washington attorney.