Washington child support is governed by state statutes designed to ensure children receive financial support from both parents, regardless of custody arrangements. The Washington State Child Support Schedule (WSCSS) provides a structured method for calculating support obligations, reflecting both statutory law and family needs.
Legal Basis for Child Support in Washington
The obligation to support children is outlined in RCW 26.19, which governs the Washington State Child Support Schedule. Courts and the Division of Child Support (DCS) use this standardized system to calculate child support obligations based on parents' net income, the number of children, and additional expenses.
Required Documents
- Child Support Worksheets (WSCSS Worksheets)
- Financial Declaration (FL All Family 131)
- Proof of Income (last 6 months of pay stubs or income statements)
- Most Recent Federal Tax Returns (usually last 2 years)
- Health Insurance Verification (cost and coverage details)
- Parenting Plan or Residential Schedule (if applicable)
- Birth Certificates of the Child(ren)
- Order of Child Support (Existing Order if Modifying)
- Petition to Establish or Modify Child Support (if court action is initiated)
- Support Enforcement Application (for DCS involvement, if needed)
- Proof of Child Care or Extraordinary Expenses (if requesting expense sharing)
- Proof of Other Dependent Children (if requesting deviation for other dependents)
- Medical Support Order (if available or required)
- Proof of Public Assistance (if applicable, for state reimbursement claims)
Child Support Calculation in Washington
Washington uses the Income Shares Model, meaning both parents’ incomes are combined to estimate what the child would have received if the family remained together. This figure is then divided proportionally between the parents.
Factor | Explanation |
Gross Income | All sources of income before deductions (wages, bonuses, commissions). |
Net Income | Gross income minus taxes, Social Security, and mandatory deductions. |
Basic Support Obligation | Found in the Economic Table (View Table) |
Extraordinary Expenses | Healthcare, daycare, education, and transportation costs. |
Health Insurance Premiums | Both parents may be ordered to provide or share these costs. |
Daycare and Special Needs Costs | Shared proportionally beyond the basic obligation. |
The standard schedule applies up to a combined $12,000 in net monthly income. For higher incomes, courts may extrapolate using judicial discretion.
Enforcement of Child Support
The Division of Child Support (DCS), part of the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), is responsible for enforcing child support orders.
Services Provided by DCS:
- Establishing administrative child support orders
- Wage garnishment and income withholding
- Tax refund intercepts
- License suspension for non-compliance
Statistical Overview
According to DSHS and the Department of Health:
- Over 310,000 child support cases are active in Washington annually.
- The average monthly child support obligation is approximately $545 per child.
- More than 80% of payments are collected via income withholding.
- Total annual child support collections exceed $700 million statewide.
Modifications and Adjustments
Under RCW 26.19.090, child support in Washington State typically continues until the child turns 18 years old or graduates from high school, whichever occurs later. However, the court has discretion to extend support beyond this point under specific circumstances. If a parent or guardian requests post-secondary educational support before the child’s 18th birthday, the court may order continued payments to cover college or vocational expenses.
Additionally, if the child has a physical or mental disability that requires ongoing care and prevents self-support, the court may order child support to continue indefinitely to ensure the child’s lifelong needs are met.
Forms for Modification
Duration of Child Support
Under RCW 26.19.090, child support generally ends when the child:
- Turns 18 years old, or
- Graduates from high school, whichever occurs later.
Courts may extend support for:
- Post-secondary education if requested before age 18
- Children with disabilities requiring lifelong care
Deviations and Special Circumstances
Under RCW 26.19.075, Washington courts have the authority to deviate from the standard child support calculation when specific circumstances justify an adjustment. One common reason for deviation is when the non-custodial parent has substantial residential time with the child, typically more than 90 overnights per year, which may reduce the standard support obligation.
Courts may also consider whether either parent has additional children in their household who require financial support. Other factors include extraordinary expenses related to the child's healthcare, education, or special needs, as well as significant income disparities between the parents that could make the standard calculation inequitable. Each deviation must be clearly documented and justified in the court’s findings.
Enforcement Measures
Failure to comply with a Washington child support order can trigger a range of enforcement actions under state and federal law. The Division of Child Support (DCS) has the authority to pursue various measures to collect overdue payments. These include driver’s license suspension, placing liens on property, initiating wage garnishments, and intercepting federal or state tax refunds.
In more severe cases, a parent who fails to pay child support may face contempt of court proceedings, which can lead to fines or even jail time. These enforcement actions are designed to ensure that parents meet their legal obligations to financially support their children. For detailed guidance on enforcement procedures, visit the Division of Child Support Enforcement Actions through the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services.