Child support is the obligation a court sets for divorced, separated, or unmarried parents to contribute to the financial support of their children. Child support orders establish each parent’s obligation to contribute to their child’s living expenses as well as expenses such as childcare, education, healthcare, and other special child expenses. We have represented many hundreds of clients in child support matters, both to establish child support in connection with divorce or separation, and to adjust or modify support orders due to the passage of time or changes in circumstances.

Washington has a child support schedule that must be applied in all cases, but the amount of basic child support in any given case depends on many factors, including the number and ages of the children and the amount of each parent’s income. Issues can arise when a parent’s income fluctuates because of commission or overtime income. Income issues also arise in cases where a parent receives bonus income or is compensated in part with stock, stock options, or other forms of deferred compensation.

The court has the authority to “deviate” from the support schedule and either increase or decrease the amount of the basic child support after considering factors such as the residential schedule for the children, the existence of the substantial debt, other children for whom support is paid, and income of other adults in the household.