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Child Support in Washington State

Under Washington State law, both parents have a statutory obligation to support their children financially.  The calculation of child support is based primarily on the parties' net incomes, work-related daycare expenses, and the Washington Child Support Schedule.

Child support is subject to periodic modification to meet changes in the needs of the children, as well as changes in each parent's ability to pay.  Child support payments are usually required until a child is 18 years old, or graduates from high school, whichever occurs last, although circumstances may affect the duration of the support obligation. For example, if a child under the age of 18 gets married or otherwise becomes emancipated or self-supporting, the court may terminate the parental obligation for the support.

Post-secondary support may also be required for a dependent child's college or vocational education expenses, or for a handicapped child.  it is also important to note that support may be required as long as the child remains dependent.

Washington Child Support Statutes

Chapter 26.19 RCW

Child support schedule


RCW Sections

26.19.001 Legislative intent and finding.
26.19.011 Definitions.
26.19.020 Child support economic table.
26.19.025 Legislative review of support schedule.
26.19.035 Standards for application of the child support schedule.
26.19.045 Veterans' disability pensions, compensation for disability, and aid and attendant care payments.
26.19.050 Worksheets and instructions.
26.19.055 Payments for attendant services in cases of disability.
26.19.065 Standards for establishing lower and upper limits on child support amounts.
26.19.071 Standards for determination of income.
26.19.075 Standards for deviation from the standard calculation.
26.19.080 Allocation of child support obligation between parents--Court-ordered day care or special child rearing expenses.
26.19.090 Standards for postsecondary educational support awards.
26.19.100 Federal income tax exemptions.


Washington Support Enforcement

Chapter 26.18 RCW

Child support enforcement

RCW Sections

26.18.010 Legislative findings.
26.18.020 Definitions.
26.18.030 Application -- Liberal construction.
26.18.035 Other civil and criminal remedies applicable.
26.18.040 Support or spousal maintenance proceedings.
26.18.050 Failure to comply with support or spousal maintenance order -- Contempt action -- Order to show cause -- Bench warrant--Continuing jurisdiction.
26.18.055 Child support liens.
26.18.070 Mandatory wage assignment -- Petition or motion.
26.18.080 Wage assignment order -- Issuance -- Information transmitted to state support registry.
26.18.090 Wage assignment order -- Contents -- Amounts -- Apportionment of disbursements.
26.18.100 Wage assignment order -- Form.
26.18.110 Wage assignment order -- Employer's answer, duties, and liability -- Priorities.
26.18.120 Wage assignment order -- Employer's answer -- Form.
26.18.130 Wage assignment order -- Service.
26.18.140 Hearing to quash, modify, or terminate wage assignment order -- Grounds -- Alternate payment plan.
26.18.150 Bond or other security.
26.18.160 Costs.
26.18.170 Health insurance coverage -- Enforcement.
26.18.180 Liability of employer or union -- Penalties.
26.18.190 Compensation paid by agency, self-insurer, or social security administration on behalf of child.
26.18.210 Child support order summary report form.
26.18.220 Standard court forms -- Mandatory use.
26.18.900 Severability -- 1984 c 260.

Notes:

Child support registry: Chapter 26.23 RCW.

Domestic violence prevention: Chapter 26.50 RCW.

Family abandonment, penalty: RCW 26.20.030.

Family nonsupport, penalty: RCW 26.20.035.

Homestead subject to execution for child support or spousal maintenance: RCW 6.13.080.




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