Parenting Plans and Extracurricular Activities in Washington Divorces

Sports, music lessons, tutoring, and other extracurricular activities are often a big part of a child’s life. When parents divorce, deciding how to handle these activities can become a source of conflict. A well-drafted parenting plan should address extracurriculars to avoid future disputes and ensure children continue benefiting from the activities they love.

Who Decides on Activities?

In Washington, decision-making authority can be joint or sole in specific areas such as education, health care, or even religious upbringing. Often, each parent is responsible for extracurricular activities during their residential period. That being said, some Parenting Plans will require joint decision-making for activities.

Common Disputes About Extracurriculars

Parents often disagree about:

• Which activities the child should participate in
  
  
• The time commitment required, especially if it interferes with one parent’s residential time
  
  
• The cost of activities and who should pay
  
  
• Whether the activity is in the child’s best interests

Addressing Costs

The Parenting Plan might grant authority to make decisions about activities, but those costs are more likely determined in the Child Support Order. Washington child support orders don’t automatically cover every extracurricular expense, but parents can agree to divide costs or request that the court include activity expenses in a support order. Clarity about who pays what is essential.

Scheduling and Parenting Time

One of the most common conflicts is whether practices, games, or rehearsals interfere with a parent’s scheduled parenting time. Parenting plans should outline:

• Whether both parents are expected to transport the child
  
  
• If activities can occur during the other parent’s time
  
  
• Whether either parent can add or remove activities without the other’s consent

Best Practices for Parents

• Communicate early about activities and schedules.
  
  
• Keep the child’s interests first, not parental convenience.
  
  
• Document agreements in writing to avoid misunderstandings.
  
  
• Stay flexible understanding that kids’ interests and schedules change over time.

Work with an Attorney for Clarity

Addressing extracurricular activities upfront can prevent unnecessary conflict later. At Magnuson Lowell, P.S., we help parents draft and negotiate parenting plans that account for real-life needs, including sports, lessons, and other activities. Contact us today for a free telephone case evaluation 425-800-0582 to ensure your plan works for your family.

Divorces in Washington can take several months, or longer, to resolve. During that time, couples often need rules in place to manage finances, custody, and living arrangements. That’s where temporary orders come in. These court orders provide structure while the case is pending, ensuring stability until a final decree is entered.

What Can Temporary Orders Cover?

Temporary orders can address a wide range of issues, such as:

• Parenting Plans: Who the children live with and how visitation is structured.
  
  
• Child Support: Ensuring children’s expenses are covered during the case.
  
  
• Spousal Maintenance (Alimony): Helping one spouse maintain financial stability.
  
  
• Use of the Family Home: Deciding who remains in the marital residence.
  
  
• Bill Payments and Debts: Assigning responsibility for ongoing financial obligations.
  
  
• Restraining Orders: Preventing the sale or transfer of assets or protecting against harassment.

Why Temporary Orders Matter

Temporary orders are not permanent, but they can set the tone for the entire case. While they’re not supposed to, Judges may consider the arrangements established in temporary orders to some degree when making final decisions. For example, a temporary parenting plan may influence the final custody schedule if it has worked well for the child.

How to Request Temporary Orders

To obtain temporary orders, one spouse files a motion with the court and provides supporting declarations and financial records. The other spouse has an opportunity to respond, and a judge will hold a short hearing to decide the temporary arrangements.

Tips for Success in Temporary Order Hearings

• Be Organized: Present clear evidence of your financial needs or parenting strengths.
  
  
• Stay Child-Focused: If custody is at issue, prioritize what benefits the children.
  
  
• Be Realistic: Courts want fair, practical solutions—not extreme demands.
  
  
• Follow the Orders: Compliance builds credibility with the judge for the rest of your case.

Get Legal Support Early

Temporary orders can have a lasting impact on your divorce. At Magnuson Lowell, P.S., we help clients prepare persuasive arguments and protect their rights from the start. Contact us today for a free telephone case evaluation 425-800-0572 to learn how temporary orders may apply in your Washington divorce.

Just like assets, debts are divided during divorce. Washington is a community property state, which means that most debts (with some exceptions) incurred during the marriage may belong to both spouses - even if only one spouse’s name is on the account. However, liabilities from before the marriage or after separation, may be considered separate debt.

Common Types of Debt Addressed in Divorce

• Credit Cards: Even if the account is only in one spouse’s name, charges made during the marriage may be divided.
  
  
• Mortgages and Home Loans: The debt usually follows the property. If one spouse keeps the house, they typically take responsibility for the mortgage.
  
  
• Car Loans: Similarly, if one spouse keeps the car, they are usually responsible for the loan.
  
  
• Student Loans: These can be tricky. Oftentimes, they are treated as separate debt, but courts may find it a community obligation especially if both parties substantially benefited from the education during the marriage.
  
  
• Medical Debt: Bills from during the marriage are often considered community debt, regardless of who received the treatment.

How Courts Divide Debt

Courts aim for an equitable division, which doesn’t always mean 50/50. Instead, judges look at factors such as:

• Each spouse’s income and ability to pay
  
  
• Who is keeping the asset tied to the debt
  
  
• The overall balance of assets and debts being divided
  
  
• Any history of reckless or wasteful spending

Risks of Joint Accounts

Even if the divorce decree assigns a debt to your spouse, creditors may still come after you if your name is on the account. To protect yourself you may want to consult with your attorney about:

• Closing joint credit cards as soon as possible.
  
  
• Refinancing loans (like mortgages or car loans) into the responsible spouse’s name.
  
  
• Monitoring your credit report for errors or unpaid balances.

Negotiating Debt in Settlement

Many couples resolve debt issues through negotiation or mediation. Creative solutions might include:

• One spouse taking on more debt in exchange for keeping more assets.
  
  
• Selling an asset (like a home) to pay down joint debt before finalizing the divorce.
  
  
• Agreeing to split certain debts evenly, while assigning others based on use.

Protect Yourself with Legal Guidance

Debt division is one of the most stressful aspects of divorce. A fair resolution requires both a clear picture of your finances and strong legal advocacy. At Magnuson Lowell, P.S., we help clients in Washington understand their financial rights and responsibilities during divorce. We’ll work to protect your future from lingering debt issues. Call us today 425-800-0576 for a free telephone case evaluation.