{"id":377066,"date":"2016-03-31T21:37:16","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:37:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/washington-law\/washington-child-support-guidelines.html"},"modified":"2025-05-21T14:31:32","modified_gmt":"2025-05-21T19:31:32","slug":"washington-child-support-guidelines","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/washington-law\/washington-child-support-guidelines.html","title":{"rendered":"Washington Child Support Guidelines"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 fl-sectionWithSidebar fl-container fl-flex fl-flex-wrap fl-gap30\">\n    \n    <div class=\"fl-page-articles fl-section-main fl-section-main-full-width\">\n        <h1 class=\"fl-no-margin-top\">Washington Child Support Guidelines<\/h1>\n<section class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline\">\n    <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-content\">\n                    By <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/lyle-therese-a-hilotin-lee-j-d\/\">Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by <a\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/jordan-walker-j-d\/\">Jordan Walker, J.D.<\/a>\n                | Last updated\n        <time>\n                            May 21, 2025\n                    <\/time>\n    <\/div>\n\n    \n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-legally-reviewed\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Legally Reviewed\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team.html\">FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/company-history\/editorial-policy.html\">our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n\n    <details class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle fl-gutenberg-byline-fast-checked\">\n        <summary>\n            <i class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\n            Fact-Checked\n        <\/summary>\n\n        <div class=\"fl-gutenberg-byline-toggle-content\">\n            <p><em>The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/company\/our-team\/contributing-authors.html\">contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/?fli=bylinelink\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/details>\n<\/section>\n<p>Washington State child support guidelines use the &quot;Income Shares Model,&quot; which includes an economic table to calculate obligations based on both parents&#8217; net incomes, the number of children, and additional expenses like healthcare and education. Child support aims to cover basic needs until a child turns 18 or graduates high school, with potential extensions for post-secondary education or special needs.<\/p>\r\n<p>Modifications can be requested due to significant life changes. The Division of Child Support (DCS) oversees applications and enforcement to ensure compliance with legal duties.<\/p>\r\n<p>Parents have the legal duty to support their children regardless of whether or not the parents live together. This guide contains a comprehensive overview of the child support guidelines in Washington.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>What are the fundamentals of child support in Washington State?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Child support payments help cover the expenses for the basic needs of the child. These payments often help provide for the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Food and clothing<\/li>\r\n<li>Safe and stable housing<\/li>\r\n<li>Healthcare costs<\/li>\r\n<li>Educational expenses<\/li>\r\n<li>Childcare costs<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Washington state law established guidelines to determine the appropriate amount of child support. These guidelines reflect the cost of raising the child and the parents&#8217; monthly net income. Washington uses the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncsl.org\/human-services\/child-support-guideline-models\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Income Shares Model<\/a> and considers the financial situations of both parents.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>How do you request child support in Washington?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>There are several ways a parent can request child support in Washington:<\/p>\r\n<h3><b>Court Proceedings<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p>Child support orders are often established during legal proceedings. These include the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Divorce or legal separation<\/li>\r\n<li>Establishing parentage<\/li>\r\n<li>Domestic violence protection orders<\/li>\r\n<li>Child custody proceedings<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h3><b>Division of Child Support (DCS)<\/b><\/h3>\r\n<p>Parents can also apply directly through DCS services. They can enroll for child support services by completing an application through the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dshs.wa.gov\/esa\/division-child-support\/enroll-child-support-services\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Washington State Department of Social and Health Services website<\/a>. They can apply online or submit a paper application to the local DCS office.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Who pays child support?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Both parents are legally required to provide financial support to their children. In most instances, the noncustodial parent pays child support to the custodial parent. However, this does not mean that custodial parents are free of financial obligations. The state of Washington sets guidelines to calculate the support obligations of both parents.<\/p>\r\n<p>In cases when the parents separate, the calculations adjust depending on their net income and the number of children living with each parent.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>How does the court calculate child support?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>The court calculates the amount of child support based on the Income Shares Model. With this model, the court looks at the proportion of parental income that the child would have received had the parents lived together to maintain the child\u2019s standard of living. Washington State also uses a child support schedule and worksheet in determining the amount of support.<\/p>\r\n<p>In general, a parent&#8217;s child support obligation is set based on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support\/child-support-determining-parents-income.html\">parent\u2019s net income<\/a>. Net income is the income left after you deduct amounts from your gross income that you must pay for taxes and other expenses required by law. Child support considers several types of income to make sure parents have the ability to pay. These include:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Wages and salaries<\/li>\r\n<li>Bonuses and commissions<\/li>\r\n<li>Self-employment income<\/li>\r\n<li>Rental income<\/li>\r\n<li>Social Security benefits<\/li>\r\n<li>Unemployment benefits<\/li>\r\n<li>Workers&#8217; compensation<\/li>\r\n<li>Alimony<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>There are a few deductions that you can take advantage of. These include the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Federal income tax<\/li>\r\n<li>Self-employment tax (for individuals who work for themselves)<\/li>\r\n<li>Social Security and Medicare<\/li>\r\n<li>State industrial insurance (L&amp;I)<\/li>\r\n<li>Mandatory union dues<\/li>\r\n<li>Mandatory pension contributions (in certain circumstances)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><b>When does a parent\u2019s child support responsibility end?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Most child support payments end once the minor reaches 18 years old or if the child is emancipated. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/emancipation-of-minors.html\">Emancipation<\/a> occurs through a court order or when the child does any of the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Gets married<\/li>\r\n<li>Joins the military<\/li>\r\n<li>Moves out of the parents\u2019 house<\/li>\r\n<li>Is convicted of a felony<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Washington judges may order the parents to pay additional support to help with their child\u2019s post-secondary education expenses. Child support may also continue indefinitely for children with special needs or physical or mental disabilities that prevent them from having the means to support themselves.<\/p>\r\n<h2><b>Can a parent ask to modify their child support order?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Yes. Either parent can request to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dshs.wa.gov\/esa\/division-child-support\/child-support-modification\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">modify an existing child support order<\/a>. It&#8217;s essential to note that child support does not automatically change along with new circumstances in the parents\u2019 lives. The parent has to request that the court modify the child support order. If you have an existing case with the DCS, you can ask them to review the child support order.<\/p>\r\n<p>DCS will review the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support\/child-support-by-court-order.html\">child support order<\/a> at your request. Some of the common reasons for the modification of child support are as follows:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Changes in the child\u2019s daycare or medical needs<\/li>\r\n<li>Changes in the parents\u2019 jobs<\/li>\r\n<li>The parent had another child since the creation of the child support order<\/li>\r\n<li>The parent became permanently disabled<\/li>\r\n<li>The parent is receiving public assistance (such as food stamps, SSI, or TANF)<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>The following table highlights the main provisions of Washington&#8217;s child support laws.<\/p>\r\n<table>\r\n<tbody><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p><b>Washington Child Support Code Sections<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>Child Support Schedule <a href=\"https:\/\/codes.findlaw.com\/wa\/title-26-domestic-relations\/wa-rev-code-26-19-001\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Chapter 26.19 RCW<\/a> et. seq.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p><b>Who Is Responsible?<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>Both parents are legally obligated to provide support to their children<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p><b>How Is Support Calculated in Washington?<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>Washington State uses the Income Shares Model to calculate the amount of child support. With this model, the court considers the following:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><b>Each parent\u2019s income &#8211;<\/b> The court considers all sources of income, such as wages, investments, self-employment, and benefits<\/li>\r\n<li><b>Washington child support worksheet &#8211;<\/b> The state provides a child support worksheet that shows the basic child support payment based on the parents&#8217; combined incomes and the children&#8217;s ages<\/li>\r\n<li><b>Additional expenses &#8211;<\/b> The court also considers additional costs and the child&#8217;s special needs, such as the cost of health insurance premiums, childcare, and educational expenses<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Parents and courts can use the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.courts.wa.gov\/forms\/?fa=forms.contribute&amp;formID=73\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Washington State Child Support Schedule and Worksheet<\/a> to perform these calculations. The DCS website also offers an online <a href=\"https:\/\/fortress.wa.gov\/dshs\/dcs\/SSGen\/Home\/QuickEstimator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Child Support Calculator<\/a> that provides an estimate of child support payments.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p><b>Factors in Calculating Child Support Payments in Washington<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>The monthly child support payment is calculated based on the following factors:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support\/child-support-determining-parents-income.html\" title=\"Net income\">Net income<\/a> of both parents<\/li>\r\n<li>The number of children<\/li>\r\n<li>Healthcare cost<\/li>\r\n<li>Daycare expenses<\/li>\r\n<li>Educational needs<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p><b>What Is Included in a Washington Support Order?<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>Monetary support (food, clothing, and shelter), health insurance, and basic education expenses. It might also include childcare expenses, extraordinary medical expenses, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-custody\/parental-visitation-rights-faq.html\" title=\"visitation travel costs\">visitation travel costs<\/a>, and extracurricular activities.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p><b>How Long Must a Parent Pay Child Support in Washington?<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p>Until the child reaches the age of 18 or when the child graduates from high school. The court also acknowledges cases when the child enrolls in post-secondary education for college or vocational training.<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p><b>Local Child Support Offices<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dshs.wa.gov\/esa\/division-child-support\" title=\"DCS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">DCS<\/a> 800-442-KIDS (800-442-5437)<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><tr><th scope=\"row\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><p><b>Washington Child Support Forms<\/b><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n<td><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dshs.wa.gov\/esa\/division-child-support\/division-child-support-forms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forms<\/a> available at the DSHS<\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\r\n<p><i>Note: This information provides general guidance about Washington State child support laws and is not intended as legal advice. While we strive to provide the most current information available, laws and procedures may change, and individual circumstances vary. Consult with a qualified attorney for advice about your specific situation.<\/i><\/p>\r\n<h2>Washington Child Support Guidelines: Related Resources<\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-custody.html\">Child Custody<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support\/child-support-enforcement.html\">Child Support Enforcement<\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/child-support\/child-support-modification.html\">Child Support Modification<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><b>Need Legal Advice on Child Support in Washington? Speak With a Family Law Attorney<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<p>Child support laws in Washington state can be complex. Various factors can affect the final determination of child support. If you have any questions or concerns about the child support order, consider consulting with a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/family-law\/washington\/?fli=dcta\" title=\"family law attorney\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">family law attorney<\/a>. They can assist you in understanding your rights and obligations and guide you through calculating the amount of support that you have to pay.<\/p>\r\n<p>Making sure the right amount is assessed for child support is of supreme importance. Consider contacting a <a href=\"https:\/\/lawyers.findlaw.com\/child-support\/washington\/?fli=dcta\" title=\"child support attorney\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">child support attorney<\/a> to protect your rights while keeping the best interests of the child in mind.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"was-this-helpful\">\n    <div\n            class=\"was-this-helpful__question-container\"\n            aria-labelledby=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n            role=\"group\"\n    >\n        <span\n                id=\"was-this-helpful__question\"\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__question fl-text-lg-bold\"\n        >Was this helpful?<\/span>\n        <button\n                class=\"was-this-helpful__button fl-text-sm\"\n                aria-label=\"Yes\"\n                value=\"yes\"\n        >\n            <span class=\"was-this-helpful__button-text fl-text-bold\">Yes<\/span>\n            <i class=\"was-this-helpful__button-icon\">\n                <svg width=\"22\" 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