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The FULL process for us took about two years, to get a final parenting plan.

I only had a lawyer for the last few months of that.

You'd want to get a temporary parenting plan in place first- especially if you fear he could do something like keep 'n then not return them.

Quoting KNZ.:" The FULL process for us took about two years, to get a final parenting plan. I only had a lawyer for ... [snip!] ... get a temporary parenting plan in place first- especially if you fear he could do something like keep 'n then not return them. "

why did it take so long

Quoting bugs mommy☮:" why did it take so long "

Cos we chose mediations with a judge vs going in front of a judge in court for him to make the final decision. (with the exception of one time when a judge did finalize a TEMP parenting plan)
And we didn't agree on anything.
And there would be months between each mediation (we had a total of three).

Quoting KNZ.:" Cos we chose mediations with a judge vs going in front of a judge in court for him to make the final ... [snip!] ... parenting plan) And we didn't agree on anything. And there would be months between each mediation (we had a total of three). "

i wana do that, I'm scared in front of the judge

Quoting KNZ.:" The FULL process for us took about two years, to get a final parenting plan. I only had a lawyer for ... [snip!] ... get a temporary parenting plan in place first- especially if you fear he could do something like keep 'n then not return them. "

I believe i'm currently filing a temp PP.
Or "proposing a parenting plan" is what the papers said.

How do we choose to do mediation? I know he'd fight only having them 2 wknds a month though. The thought of a judge scares me.

I'm ridiculously low income so i plan on calling C.L.E.A.R but i'm not 100% sure on how all that works.

Quoting bugs mommy☮:" i wana do that, I'm scared in front of the judge "

the nice thing about mediation is you aren't forced to sign something you're not okay with. you can just..leave if things get out of hand.
going in front of the judge- he makes a decision in a few minutes about a situation that he knows far less about than you do. and aside from your proposal, you don't have a say. our worst temporary parenting plan (for both of us) came from the judge's decision.

Quoting KNZ.:" the nice thing about mediation is you aren't forced to sign something you're not okay with. you can ... [snip!] ... from your proposal, you don't have a say. our worst temporary parenting plan (for both of us) came from the judge's decision. "

Do you still fill out the parenting plan packet?
How do you arrange a mediation appt? Sorry for all the questions lol

Quoting Wonderstruck ♥:" I believe i'm currently filing a temp PP. Or "proposing a parenting plan" is what the papers said. How ... [snip!] ... of a judge scares me. I'm ridiculously low income so i plan on calling C.L.E.A.R but i'm not 100% sure on how all that works."

With us, we went before a judge and he told us to do the mediation cos our plans were so close.

My advice to you is calling your local courthouse 'n asking about meeting with a courthouse facilitator. they aren't allowed to give you legal advice BUT they can help you fill out your paper work and some (the ones i met with did) can tell you if your plan is reasonable, etc etc
And that's only $20 for 45min-hour. (diff for each courthouse)

Quoting Wonderstruck ♥:" Do you still fill out the parenting plan packet? How do you arrange a mediation appt? Sorry for all the questions lol"

Yes. (and see below for the second one)
I seriously have 2 drawers worth of paperwork from my daughter's case.
And dude 'n i ended up getting back together in the end, ha.

Quoting KNZ.:" the nice thing about mediation is you aren't forced to sign something you're not okay with. you can ... [snip!] ... from your proposal, you don't have a say. our worst temporary parenting plan (for both of us) came from the judge's decision. "

i wish i could do that.
we had mediation, a hearing.. and now trial in april

Quoting KNZ.:" Yes. (and see below for the second one) I seriously have 2 drawers worth of paperwork from my daughter's case. And dude 'n i ended up getting back together in the end, ha."

Okay i'm actually calling to set up an appt with a facilitator tomorrow morning.
I have the ginormous packet almost all filled out, i just gotta finish getting the paternity affidavit ordered for both kids, and filling out allllllllll my financial info & expenses.   

Im in the everett area. CLEAR is a wonderful plan. They really helped me out. My parenting plan took about 9 months. Get a gardian atilitem.. sp? They have alot of help for people on low income here. I will parentvtank you and if i can give you more ideas if i can. Im in the process of trying to ammend my parenting plan. So feel free to pm me as well.

Quoting bugs mommy☮:" i wish i could do that. we had mediation, a hearing.. and now trial in april"

we never made it to our final trial (where a judge would've just told us the final parenting plan)
before that happened we both got lawyers, our lawyers took our proposed plans, our lawyers spoke with each other in the court house, being kinda messengers between me 'n dude (so we weren't even in the same room) and from that, we got a GREAT parenting plan.

Quoting Wonderstruck ♥:" Okay i'm actually calling to set up an appt with a facilitator tomorrow morning. I have the ginormous ... [snip!] ... getting the paternity affidavit ordered for both kids, and filling out allllllllll my financial info & expenses.   "

oh yeah, it's definitely a pain the butt to get it all done- but it'll be worth it!