Child support is a legal obligation in Washington State. Both parents are required to contribute financially to their child’s upbringing, regardless of marital status. Washington uses a standardized system to calculate child support, aiming for fairness and consistency across all cases.
This guide explains the essentials of Washington child support basics, including how payments are calculated, who is responsible for paying, and how the system works.
How Child Support Works in Washington State?
Washington child support is designed to cover a child’s basic living expenses such as housing, food, clothing, and education. In most cases, the non-custodial parent (the parent the child lives with less than half the time) pays child support to the custodial parent.
If the child does not live primarily with either parent, such as in foster care or under state guardianship, both parents may be ordered to pay child support directly to the state or caregiver.
Who Pays Child Support and Why?
Under Washington law, both parents have a legal duty to support their children financially. However, child support payments typically flow from the non-custodial parent to the custodial parent to ensure the child’s needs are met in their primary household.
In cases of split custody, where each parent has at least one child living with them, support payments are based on the financial situation and number of children living with each parent.
How Washington Calculates Child Support Payments?
Washington uses the Income Shares Model to calculate child support. This model estimates the total amount of money parents would have spent on their child if they lived together. Then, it divides that amount proportionally based on each parent's net income.
To determine the exact payment:
- Calculate each parent's monthly net income (income after taxes and required deductions).
- Add the two net incomes together to get the combined monthly income.
- Use the Washington Child Support Economic Table to find the basic child support obligation for the number of children involved.
- Divide the obligation between the parents based on their share of the combined income.
Washington State Child Support Schedule and Economic Table
The Washington State Child Support Schedule is a standardized chart that provides the basic monthly support obligation based on:
- The combined monthly net income of both parents.
- The number of children needing support.
For example, if the combined net income is $5,000 and there are two children, the table might assign a basic support obligation of $1,200 per month. Each parent pays their share according to their income.
If the combined monthly net income exceeds $12,000, courts may choose to extrapolate the support amount beyond the table limits, but this is discretionary.
Combined Monthly Net Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
$1,000 | $220 | $358 | $448 |
$2,000 | $400 | $658 | $820 |
$3,000 | $552 | $902 | $1,124 |
$4,000 | $704 | $1,146 | $1,428 |
$5,000 | $856 | $1,390 | $1,732 |
$6,000 | $1,008 | $1,634 | $2,036 |
$8,000 | $1,312 | $2,122 | $2,644 |
$10,000 | $1,616 | $2,610 | $3,252 |
$12,000 | $1,920 | $3,098 | $3,860 |
What Counts as Income in Child Support Calculations?
Washington law includes most income sources when calculating child support. These include:
- Wages, salaries, and bonuses
- Overtime pay
- Self-employment income
- Dividends and investment returns
- Spousal maintenance (alimony) received from another case
Certain items are excluded from gross income, such as:
- SSI or needs-based public assistance
- Income of a new spouse or partner
- One-time gifts and prizes (in most cases)
Courts may impute income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed. This means the court assigns a reasonable income based on work history or potential earning capacity.
Minimum and Maximum Child Support Limits in Washington
Washington sets both minimum and maximum limits on child support:
- Minimum support is typically $50 per child per month, unless a judge decides otherwise based on hardship.
- Maximum support generally cannot exceed 45% of a parent’s net income, unless the court finds good cause, such as special needs or extraordinary expenses.
Low-income parents are protected by a self-support reserve. This ensures they retain at least 125% of the federal poverty level after paying child support.
Additional Expenses
Basic child support covers essential costs like food, clothing, and shelter. However, parents may also need to share additional expenses, including:
- Health insurance premiums
- Out-of-pocket medical costs
- Childcare or daycare expenses
- Educational costs (such as tuition)
- Long-distance travel for visitation
These costs are usually divided between parents based on the same income percentage used for basic support.
Post-Secondary Child Support
In Washington, child support usually ends when the child:
- Turns 18, or
- Graduates from high school, whichever happens later.
However, post-secondary support may be ordered for college or vocational training if:
- The child is still dependent on their parents, and
- The parents or court agree it is appropriate.
A court may also order continuing support for children with disabilities who cannot become financially independent.
To request post-secondary support, a motion must be filed before the child turns 18 or graduates from high school.
Modifying an Existing Child Support Order in Washington
Child support orders can be modified when:
- There is a substantial change in circumstances (such as job loss, disability, or new dependents).
- The order is more than one year old and causes hardship.
- The order is more than two years old and there has been a change in income or expenses.
To request a change, you must file either:
- A Motion to Adjust (for simple income updates), or
- A Petition to Modify (for more complex changes, such as adding healthcare responsibilities or changing tax exemptions).
Child Support Orders
If a parent fails to make court-ordered child support payments, the Washington Division of Child Support (DCS) may enforce the order through actions like:
- Wage garnishment
- Driver’s license suspension
- Property liens
- Tax refund interception
- Contempt of court proceedings, which could lead to fines or jail time
Consistent non-payment can lead to serious legal and financial consequences.
How to Apply for Child Support in Washington
If you need to establish child support, you can:
- File for support during a divorce, separation, or custody case in court, or
- Apply directly through the Division of Child Support (DCS) in the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).
Required forms usually include:
- Child Support Schedule Worksheets
- Financial Declaration
- Sealed Financial Source Documents (like pay stubs or tax returns)
- Proposed Child Support Order
Washington’s official court forms are available at Washington State Court Forms – Child Support