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Immigration & Family Law · Seattle, WA(310) 853-3430attorney@yohanavaldezlaw.com
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Family Law · Washington State

Child Support

Ensuring Financial Stability for Your Children

Practice areaFamily Law
ServingSeattle & Washington State
ConsultationsConfidential
LanguagesEnglish · Español · Français
Parenting Plans & CustodyChild SupportDomestic Violence Protections

In Washington State, both parents are responsible for supporting their children financially — regardless of marital status. The amount of child support is based on a state formula that considers income, parenting time, and other factors.

At Yohana Valdez Law, we help clients understand their rights and obligations, calculate support accurately, and navigate enforcement or modification when circumstances change.

How Child Support Works in Washington

Washington uses a Child Support Schedule that calculates the monthly amount based on:

  • Both parents’ incomes

  • Number of children

  • Custody and parenting time

  • Costs like health insurance, daycare, and education

Once the amount is determined, a Child Support Order is entered by the court and becomes legally enforceable.

What We Help With

  • Establishing new child support orders

  • Calculating support based on accurate financial information

  • Ensuring fair contributions to healthcare, childcare, and school costs

  • Enforcement when payments are missed or inconsistent

  • Modifying support when income or parenting arrangements change

  • Coordinating with the Division of Child Support (DCS) if needed

Whether you’re the parent receiving or paying support, we make sure your child’s needs are prioritized — and that the legal process is handled clearly and fairly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is child support calculated in Washington?

Washington uses a statewide formula based on both parents’ incomes, the number of children, and certain expenses like health insurance or childcare. The court uses a standardized Child Support Schedule, but we help ensure the numbers are accurate and fairly reflect your situation.

Do I still have to pay support if we share parenting time 50/50?

Possibly. Even in shared custody arrangements, the court may order support if one parent earns significantly more than the other, or if one parent covers most of the child’s expenses. It depends on the full financial picture.

What if the other parent isn’t paying?

If you have a court order and the other parent is not paying, there are enforcement options. We can help you work with the Division of Child Support (DCS) or return to court to seek compliance through wage garnishment or other legal remedies.

Can we agree on a different amount than what the state calculates?

In some cases, yes — but the court still has to approve the agreement. If it’s too low or doesn’t meet the child’s needs, the court may reject it. We help clients structure agreements that are fair, legal, and likely to be accepted.

Can child support be modified?

Yes. If either parent’s income or parenting schedule changes significantly, you can request a modification. We help determine whether a change is likely to be approved and assist with filing the necessary paperwork.

Do I need to go through the Division of Child Support (DCS)?

Not always. You can establish and manage child support directly through the court. However, DCS can help enforce orders and track payments if needed. We can help you decide which option is best for your case.

Related services

Other ways we can help.

AFamily Law

Parenting Plans & Custody

We work with parents to develop and formalize parenting plans that prioritize the best interests of the child and provide structure for custody and visitation.