Family Law

Child Support in Washington State

Child support is a significant legal matter that arises in various cases, such as divorce, legal separation, and establishing paternity. In Washington State, child support is regulated by specific statutory guidelines that consider the income of the parents and the needs of the child. In this write-up, we will discuss the child support statutes in Washington State, the factors that the court considers when making decisions, and provide supporting case law to showcase our expertise in this area of law.

What the Court Looks at in Decisions:

When making decisions about child support, the court takes into consideration a variety of factors. Some of the most important factors include:

• The income of each parent, including any bonuses or commissions.
• The number of children and their ages.
• The financial resources of the parents, including any income or assets.
• The cost of health insurance and child care.
• The standard of living that the child would have enjoyed had the parents not separated.
• The educational and special needs of the child.
• Any extraordinary financial needs of the child.
• The parent’s assets, including any real estate, investments, or other property.
• Any spousal maintenance or support paid by either parent.
• Any other relevant factor that may affect the financial needs of the child.