Petition for Modification Adjustment of Custody Decree Parenting Plan Residential Schedule

Paragraph 1.1, IDENTIFICATION OF MOVING PARTY. The “moving party” is the party who asks the court for a modification or for other relief. The moving party can be either the person designated as the petitioner or as the respondent in the original action. Since you are asking the court for an order modifying your custody decree/parenting plan/residential schedule, you are the moving party. Write your first and last name, your date of birth and the county and state where you are living.

Paragraph 1.2, IDENTIFICATION OF NON-MOVING PARTY. The “non-moving party” is the other party who must respond to the petition. Write the non-moving party’s first and last name, date of birth and the last known county and state of residence.

Paragraph 1.3, DEPENDENT CHILDREN. Write in the first and last name and ages of the dependent children.

Part II requests information about the court’s jurisdiction, the current order and the changes you want to make to the Custody Decree/Parenting Plan/Residential Schedule. Provide the information requested in paragraphs 2.1 through 2.12 of the Petition.

Paragraph 2.3, CHILD SUPPORT, asks about child support and whether a new Order of Child Support is needed. Check the box that applies. If you need to modify child support at the same time as the Parenting Plan or Residential Schedule, you will need to complete and file an Order of Child Support and accompanying Child Support Worksheet and Sealed Financial Source Document cover sheet with financial records. Instructions on completing these forms are set forth in the "Instructions on How to Fill Out the Dissolution Forms (cases with dependent children)" and in the "Instructions on How to Fill Out the Modification of Child Support Forms."

Paragraphs 2.4, 2.5 and 2.6 ask for jurisdictional information. An action to modify a Custody Decree/Parenting Plan/Residential Schedule may be commenced only if the court has personal jurisdiction over the other parent. Whether the court can exercise personal jurisdiction over the other parent depends upon the contact that parent has with the state of Washington.

Paragraph 2.7 asks about the prior Custody Decree or Parenting Plan. Specify the date and place where you completed your dissolution (name of the court, i.e., Los Angeles County, California Superior Court, case number 92-5555).