Governor Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy declaration does appear to mean Parenting Plans should continue to be followed. If things take a down turn because of the COVID-19 virus, it is possible this may change. This page will be updated as needed.
A number of county courts (not Clallam) have issued orders requiring that Parenting Plans must be followed absent an emergency and a court order allowing a deviation. Parents, of course, can agree to alter parenting plans, which should be confirmed in an email or text message. (Editor: I am not aware of any county court issuing a contrary order.)
The following article is from the Washington Courts web page, http://www.courts.wa.gov/newsinfo/?fa=newsinfo.internetdetail&newsid=35214&fbclid=IwAR23xGOZ6ZLQriM-IznuRGTUWifLLgJxVjt1kRZQAYJpEj02Yms5VmCLlL4
Washington Courts: News and Information
Information on Parenting Plans in Washington State
March 27, 2020
On March 26, Governor Jay Inslee issued the following order addressing parent/child visitation in dependency matters. That order and the Governor’s messages announcing it clarify that Washington’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order does not prevent compliance with private parenting plans for residents of Washington State.
Further, “the governor encourages parents who are co-parenting under a parenting plan to communicate with one another during this difficult time in order to both maintain family relationships and to protect the best interests and health of each child.” Further information can be found online at www.governor.wa.gov.
For additional information on co-parenting during this difficult time, a special resource page of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) can be found at www.afccnet.org/Coronavirus. The AFCC and the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers has also published seven guidelines for parents who are divorced/separated and sharing custody of children during the COVID 19 Pandemic.
Both links and additional information can be found on the Washington Courts’ dedicated COVID Response web page at www.courts.wa.gov/COVID19