If your child gets hurt or suddenly becomes very sick, you may have to make a medical choice right away. You might not have time to reach the other parent first. The situation gets more complicated if your parenting plan gives one parent more say over major health care choices.
Washington law lets either parent make an emergency decision that affects a child’s health or safety. This rule applies even when your parenting plan gives one of you authority over major medical care.
When you can make an emergency decision
Your parenting plan usually states who handles major health care choices. It could give that role to you, the other parent or both of you together.
When your child needs urgent care, a different rule applies. If your child suffers a serious injury or becomes dangerously ill, you may make an emergency decision without first getting the other parent’s agreement. Washington law gives either parent that authority.
A medical issue that can wait might fall under the terms of your parenting plan instead. A planned treatment, for example, may count as a major health care choice rather than an emergency.
Who handles later medical care
After doctors address the urgent problem, the next medical choice may no longer count as emergency care. Your parenting plan could then determine who makes the next major decision.
If you share authority over health care, you might have to make later treatment choices together. If your plan gives that role to one parent, that parent generally handles major nonemergency decisions. Your plan may also explain how you address disagreements.
Review what your parenting plan says
An emergency may require you to act before you speak with the other parent. You might want to keep records of your child’s treatment and review what your parenting arrangements say about later care. Understanding those terms could help you address any dispute that continues after the urgent issue ends.
