Revised Code of Washington
Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.004 (2026)
✓ current as of May 2026
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The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
(1) "Military duties potentially impacting parenting functions" means those obligations imposed, voluntarily or involuntarily, on a parent serving in the armed forces that may interfere with that parent's abilities to perform his or her parenting functions under a temporary or permanent parenting plan. Military duties potentially impacting parenting functions include, but are not limited to:
(a) "Deployment," which means the temporary transfer of a service member serving in an active-duty status to another location in support of a military operation, to include any tour of duty classified by the member's branch of the armed forces as "remote" or "unaccompanied";
(b) "Activation" or "mobilization," which means the call-up of a national guard or reserve service member to extended active-duty status. For purposes of this definition, "mobilization" does not include national guard or reserve annual training, inactive duty days, or drill weekends; or
(c) "Temporary duty," which means the transfer of a service member from one military base or the service member's home to a different location, usually another base, for a limited period of time to accomplish training or to assist in the performance of a noncombat mission.
(2) "Parenting functions" means those aspects of the parent-child relationship in which the parent makes decisions and performs functions necessary for the care and growth of the child. Parenting functions include:
(a) Maintaining a loving, stable, consistent, and nurturing relationship with the child;
(b) Attending to the daily needs of the child, such as feeding, clothing, physical care and grooming, supervision, health care, and day care, and engaging in other activities which are appropriate to the developmental level of the child and that are within the social and economic circumstances of the particular family;
(c) Attending to adequate education for the child, including remedial or other education essential to the best interests of the child;
(d) Assisting the child in developing and maintaining appropriate interpersonal relationships;
(e) Exercising appropriate judgment regarding the child's welfare, consistent with the child's developmental level and the family's social and economic circumstances; and
(f) Providing for the financial support of the child.
(3) "Permanent parenting plan" means a plan for parenting the child, including allocation of parenting functions, which plan is incorporated in any final decree or decree of modification in an action for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, declaration of invalidity, or legal separation.
(4) "Temporary parenting plan" means a plan for parenting of the child pending final resolution of any action for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, declaration of invalidity, or legal separation which is incorporated in a temporary order.
Notes:
Reviser's note: The definitions in this section have been alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015(2)(k).
The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.
(1) "Department" means the department of social and health services.
(2) "Incapacitation" or "incapacitated" means the inability to pay child support due to participation in court-ordered treatment for a behavioral health disorder issued under chapter 71.05 RCW.
(3) "Military duties potentially impacting parenting functions" means those obligations imposed, voluntarily or involuntarily, on a parent serving in the armed forces that may interfere with that parent's abilities to perform his or her parenting functions under a temporary or permanent parenting plan. Military duties potentially impacting parenting functions include, but are not limited to:
(a) "Deployment," which means the temporary transfer of a service member serving in an active-duty status to another location in support of a military operation, to include any tour of duty classified by the member's branch of the armed forces as "remote" or "unaccompanied";
(b) "Activation" or "mobilization," which means the call-up of a national guard or reserve service member to extended active-duty status. For purposes of this definition, "mobilization" does not include national guard or reserve annual training, inactive duty days, or drill weekends; or
(c) "Temporary duty," which means the transfer of a service member from one military base or the service member's home to a different location, usually another base, for a limited period of time to accomplish training or to assist in the performance of a noncombat mission.
(4) "Parenting functions" means those aspects of the parent-child relationship in which the parent makes decisions and performs functions necessary for the care and growth of the child. Parenting functions include:
(a) Maintaining a loving, stable, consistent, and nurturing relationship with the child;
(b) Attending to the daily needs of the child, such as feeding, clothing, physical care and grooming, supervision, health care, and day care, and engaging in other activities which are appropriate to the developmental level of the child and that are within the social and economic circumstances of the particular family;
(c) Attending to adequate education for the child, including remedial or other education essential to the best interests of the child;
(d) Assisting the child in developing and maintaining appropriate interpersonal relationships;
(e) Exercising appropriate judgment regarding the child's welfare, consistent with the child's developmental level and the family's social and economic circumstances; and
(f) Providing for the financial support of the child.
(5) "Permanent parenting plan" means a plan for parenting the child, including allocation of parenting functions, which plan is incorporated in any final decree or decree of modification in an action for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, declaration of invalidity, or legal separation.
(6) "Temporary parenting plan" means a plan for parenting of the child pending final resolution of any action for dissolution of marriage or domestic partnership, declaration of invalidity, or legal separation which is incorporated in a temporary order.
Notes:
Effective date—2025 c 272 ss 4-12: See note following RCW 26.09.345.
Rule-making authority—2025 c 272: See note following RCW 26.09.345.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 102
cases (34 in the last 5 years), 1992–2026 · leading case: In re the Marriage of Chandola, 180 Wash. 2d 632 (Wash. 2014).
In re the Marriage of Chandola, 180 Wash. 2d 632 (Wash. 2014). “ay have an adverse effect on the child’s best interests, and the court may preclude or limit any provisions of the parenting plan, if any of the following factors exist: (a) A parent’s neglect or substantial nonperformance of parenting functions; (b) A long-term emotional or…”
State v. Veliz, 298 P.3d 75 (Wash. 2013). “Though the terms “permanent parenting plan” and “temporary parenting plan” are defined in RCW 26.09.004(3) and (4), this statute states that the definitions “apply throughout this chapter,” signifying that the terms are not meant to define terms appearing in the criminal code.”
In re the Marriage of Katare, 283 P.3d 546 (Wash. 2012). “ay have an adverse effect on the child’s best interests, and the court may preclude or limit any provisions of the parenting plan, if any of the following factors exist: (a) A parent’s neglect or substantial nonperformance of parenting functions; (b) A long-term emotional or…”
In Re The Parenting & Support Of C.t., 193 Wash. App. 427 (Wash. Ct. App. 2016). “RCW 26.09.004[(2)], *443 including whether a parent has taken greater responsibility for performing parenting functions relating to the daily needs of the child; (iv) The emotional needs and developmental level of the child; (v) The child’s relationship with siblings and with…”
In Re the Marriage of Kovacs, 854 P.2d 629 (Wash. 1993). “4 Commentary, at 2; RCW 26.09.004. 5 RCW 26.09.181, .184(2). Any provision of the parenting plan will or may be limited if the trial court finds any one of a number of factors set forth in RCW 26.”
In re the Marriage of Kim, 317 P.3d 555 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “¶21 The three parenting plan factors identified by Combs to which relocation is, or might be, relevant are: (iii) Each parent’s past and potential for future performance of parenting functions as defined in RCW 26.09.004(3), including whether a parent has taken greater…”
In re the Marriage of Zigler, 154 Wash. App. 803 (Wash. Ct. App. 2010). “” RCW 26.09.004(3). A motion to modify a parenting plan is just that, a motion seeking to modify a parenting plan.”
In Re Marriage of Zigler & Sidwell, 226 P.3d 202 (Wash. Ct. App. 2010). “" RCW 26.09.004(3). A motion to modify a parenting plan is just that, a motion seeking to modify a parenting plan.”
In re the Marriage of Rostrom, 339 P.3d 185 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “” RCW 26.09.004(2). See In re Marriage of Pennamen, 135 Wn.”
In Re Marriage of Possinger, 19 P.3d 1109 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). “" RCW 26.09.004(2). The Parenting Act explicitly grants courts the authority to enter either a temporary parenting plan prior to entry of the decree of dissolution, or a permanent parenting plan at the time the decree of dissolution is entered.”
In re the Marriage of Watson, 132 Wash. App. 222 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006). “” RCW 26.09.004(1) (emphasis added). ¶41 RCW 26.”
In re the Marriage of Possinger, 105 Wash. App. 326 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). “” RCW 26.09.004(2). The Parenting Act explicitly grants courts the authority to enter either a temporary parenting plan prior to entry of the decree of dissolution, or a permanent parenting plan at the time the decree of dissolution is entered.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.004(1) — 3 cases
In re the Marriage of Watson, 132 Wash. App. 222 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006). “” RCW 26.09.004(1) (emphasis added). ¶41 RCW 26.”
In Re Marriage of Watson, 130 P.3d 915 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006).
State v. Pesta, 942 P.2d 1013 (Wash. Ct. App. 1997).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.004(2) — 29 cases
In Re Marriage of Possinger, 19 P.3d 1109 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). “" RCW 26.09.004(2). The Parenting Act explicitly grants courts the authority to enter either a temporary parenting plan prior to entry of the decree of dissolution, or a permanent parenting plan at the time the decree of dissolution is entered.”
In re the Marriage of Possinger, 105 Wash. App. 326 (Wash. Ct. App. 2001). “” RCW 26.09.004(2). The Parenting Act explicitly grants courts the authority to enter either a temporary parenting plan prior to entry of the decree of dissolution, or a permanent parenting plan at the time the decree of dissolution is entered.”
In Re Marriage of Wilson, 68 P.3d 1121 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003).
In re the Marriage of Wilson, 117 Wash. App. 40 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003).
In re the Marriage of Rostrom, 339 P.3d 185 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “” RCW 26.09.004(2). See In re Marriage of Pennamen, 135 Wn.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.004(2)(a) — 7 cases
In re the Marriage of Rostrom, 339 P.3d 185 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “” RCW 26.09.004(2). See In re Marriage of Pennamen, 135 Wn.”
In Re The Guardianship Of: J.J. (Wash. Ct. App. 2025).
In Re The Parenting & Support Of Aubrey Vaneta Johnson (Wash. Ct. App. 2017).
Mckayla Sativa Beecher, V. Matthew Wayne Meyers (Wash. Ct. App. 2021).
In Re Guardianship Of E.p., Jr. (Wash. Ct. App. 2025).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.004(2)(b) — 3 cases
In Re The Custody Of: B.M. (Wash. Ct. App. 2021).
In Re The Guardianship Of: J.J. (Wash. Ct. App. 2025).
Guardianship Of J.S. (Wash. Ct. App. 2025).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.004(2)(e) — 1 case
In Re The Custody Of: B.M. (Wash. Ct. App. 2021).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.004(3) — 42 cases
State v. Veliz, 298 P.3d 75 (Wash. 2013). “Though the terms “permanent parenting plan” and “temporary parenting plan” are defined in RCW 26.09.004(3) and (4), this statute states that the definitions “apply throughout this chapter,” signifying that the terms are not meant to define terms appearing in the criminal code.”
In re the Marriage of Kim, 317 P.3d 555 (Wash. Ct. App. 2014). “¶21 The three parenting plan factors identified by Combs to which relocation is, or might be, relevant are: (iii) Each parent’s past and potential for future performance of parenting functions as defined in RCW 26.09.004(3), including whether a parent has taken greater…”
In re the Marriage of Zigler, 154 Wash. App. 803 (Wash. Ct. App. 2010). “” RCW 26.09.004(3). A motion to modify a parenting plan is just that, a motion seeking to modify a parenting plan.”
In Re Marriage of Zigler & Sidwell, 226 P.3d 202 (Wash. Ct. App. 2010). “" RCW 26.09.004(3). A motion to modify a parenting plan is just that, a motion seeking to modify a parenting plan.”
Harrington v. Pailthorp, 841 P.2d 1258 (Wash. Ct. App. 1992).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.004(4) — 3 cases
State v. Veliz, 298 P.3d 75 (Wash. 2013). “Though the terms “permanent parenting plan” and “temporary parenting plan” are defined in RCW 26.09.004(3) and (4), this statute states that the definitions “apply throughout this chapter,” signifying that the terms are not meant to define terms appearing in the criminal code.”
In the Matter of the Marriage of: Christine Kimball & Joel Kimball (Wash. Ct. App. 2026).
State v. Veliz (Wash. 2013).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.004(a) — 1 case
In Re The Guardianship Of: J.J. (Wash. Ct. App. 2025).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.004(b) — 1 case
In Re The Guardianship Of: J.J. (Wash. Ct. App. 2025).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.004(c) — 1 case
In Re The Guardianship Of: J.J. (Wash. Ct. App. 2025).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.004(d) — 1 case
In Re The Guardianship Of: J.J. (Wash. Ct. App. 2025).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.004(e) — 1 case
In Re The Guardianship Of: J.J. (Wash. Ct. App. 2025).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.004(f) — 1 case
In Re The Guardianship Of: J.J. (Wash. Ct. App. 2025).
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