In Washington, there is a strong presumption that child support will be awarded in every divorce or parentage case involving minor children. The amount of support is typically calculated according to the Washington State Child Support Schedule, outlined primarily in RCW 26.19. Both parents share in the responsibility for their child’s financial needs, with the final support figure dependent on factors such as each parent’s income, the number of children, and the residential schedule.
Under Washington law, courts rely on statutory guidelines to establish a basic child support obligation. These guidelines ensure consistency and fairness by using a formula that considers:
Although there is a standard calculation, courts may deviate from the guideline amount if they find compelling reasons that serve the child’s best interests.
In Washington, child support generally continues until the child turns 18 years old or completes high school—whichever occurs later. In some cases (e.g., if a child has special needs or if the child pursues postsecondary education), support may extend beyond age 18, but this requires a separate court order or agreement.
When calculating child support, courts look at each parent’s gross monthly income (pre-tax earnings). If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may impute income, using at least minimum wage or a reasonable earning capacity based on work history and education level. This approach ensures that parents do not reduce their income artificially to lower their child support obligations.
Beyond the monthly child support amount, health insurance coverage for the child typically must be addressed in the Parenting Plan or Child Support Order. The court can order one or both parents to:
Washington law commonly requires an Income Withholding Order (IWO). This legal order directs the paying parent’s employer to withhold child support from wages and send it directly to the Washington State Support Registry, which then forwards the payment to the receiving parent. This system helps ensure timely, consistent support payments.