Determining Child Support in Washington

Child support is generally required in divorce cases where children were born to the spouses and income of one of the spouses is disparate from the other or one of the parents takes on a larger part of the custody share.

How To Determine Child Support in Washington State

If you are divorced in Washington state, and are entitled to child support, here are some factors that will be taken in to consideration in determining your child support payments:

Amount of time the children reside with each of the parents;
Income of each of the parents from employment and investments;
Other obligations of each spouse;
Number of children from the marriage;
Alimony and support obligations from other marriages;
Payments for medical coverage for family members including the children;
Amount of money spent on child care costs;
The age of the children; and
Other considerations as determined on a case by case basis.

The Division of Child Support of the Department of Social and Health Services of Washington state has created a State Child Support Schedule Calculator. You can use this calculator to determine what actual support payments may be in your case. The Child Support Schedule Calculator will assist you with creating Child Support Schedule Worksheets for establishing child support obligations in your case. The calculator is advisory only, and the actual outcome of your case will depend on the special facts in your situation. If you handle your case in court, the court will determine the actual amount of child support to be paid.

Under Washington law, if you do not pay your child support as ordered, the court can attach your wages and collect your support obligations automatically. This is known as wage garnishment. It allows your employer to know of your financial obligation and the court's involvement.

You do not have to have been married to collect child support in Washington state if you can prove that the person from whom you attempt to collect support is the biological parent of the child or children. The amount of support will be based on similar facts as cases where the couples were married.

Getting Legal Help

If you are facing divorce and trying to figure out your child support, contact a Washington state family law attorney who can help you assess your situation. An attorney will help you handle any calculations, paperwork filing and court or out of court proceedings.

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