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Under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW §26.10. 160), grandparents can petition the court for custodial rights if they can demonstrate that it's in their grandchild's best interests. It's important to understand that obtaining custody as a grandparent can be a very challenging and complex legal process.

There is no set age at which a child can refuse visitation in the state of Washington. The courts will never sanction a parent if they have an independent child who simply refuses to visit the other spouse. If a parent is preventing visits, the judge can enforce the visitation order or even hold the parent in contempt.

If you have no existing court order regarding the other parent's or third party's visitation rights with the child, then you are probably within your legal rights to move outside of the state, as Washington State's relocation laws do not apply to you. However, you should be aware of custodial interference requirements.

The legal definition of an unfit parent is when the parent through their conduct fails to provide proper guidance, care, or support. Also, if there is abuse, neglect, or substance abuse issues, that parent will be deemed unfit.

In both Washington and Oregon, a child can only choose which parent they'd like to live with when they turn 18 or are otherwise emancipated. Minor children are not considered capable of making such decisions for themselves and are not permitted to ?choose? living with one parent over another.

The non-parent (Petitioner) must file a form called a Petition starting a court case and written statements from people who agree Petitioner should have visits. The judge will read this paperwork. The judge will only schedule a hearing if the judge then decides the judge will probably grant the visits.