Supervised visitation at the Pierce County Superior Court
In Pierce County, Washington courts generally use parenting plan, residential schedule and decision-making authority instead of custody and visitation. cases go to the Pierce County Superior Court (Family law cases are heard in the Superior Court under RCW chapters 26.09 and 26.26.).
How supervised visitation works here
- Pierce County Family Court hears parenting plan petitions, custody modifications, relocations and relative visitation matters.
- Parents in certain cases must complete the Impact on Children Seminar under local rule PCLSPR 94.05.
- Online seminars count only if an approved Pierce County provider hosts them, unless a judge grants a waiver.
- RCW 26.09.191 lets a judge order supervised contact between a parent and child, and it presumes a professional supervisor unless the parent shows a lay supervisor can serve and professional supervision is out of reach.
- Before visits start, the judge must set clear written guidelines that the supervisor and the parent both acknowledge in writing.
Where family cases are heard
- County-City Building, Family Law Courtrooms (7th floor): 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Tacoma, WA 98402
Free help without a lawyer
- Pierce County Family Law Facilitator State listing for the courthouse facilitator. Pierce County also lists family law forms and instructions on its Family Court page.
Court programs and resources
- Impact on Children Seminar Required under local rule PCLSPR 94.05 in certain cases. Online options must come from an approved Pierce County provider.
- Pierce County Family Court Family Court Services phone (253) 798-7702. Also lists guardian ad litem services and legal clinic referrals.
Forms and local rules
- Parenting Plan (WPF DR 01.0400) Statewide parenting plan form. It has sections for limits on residential time.
- Washington Courts family law forms: child custody Statewide list including residential schedule and modification forms.
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General information only, not legal advice. Laws change, and this information may be incomplete, out of date or wrong. Confirm it with a licensed attorney in your state before you rely on it.