Relocation and Child Custody in Washington State: What Parents Need to Know

Added: 2026-05-26

[00:00:00]Relocation in Washington is really one of those hard, hard issues because, I mean, you really can't split the baby.

[00:00:07]And but there are definitely laws around relocation. They're in every parenting plan in Washington. So, if you have a parenting plan and now you want to move, you want to first look at that relocation statute and actually understand what the notification procedures are, what the objection part is, the timelines. And the court is going to put this on a fast track. And the thing that people don't realize, an adult can always move. That's a constitutional right. The big question is, do you have the right to move your child with you? And so, the court has 11 relocation factors they look to to determine what is in the best interest of this child and is this relocation going to be allowed? If you have any questions about your children, children's custody, residential schedules, parenting plans in Washington, please call us at Elise Buie Family Law. This is an area that is so important to you and your children.