How does child support get figured? Basic child support is determined according to the net incomes of both parents, the number and ages of the children in each household, and a schedule that was determined by the Washington State Legislature. The income and assets of new spouses or partners usually must be disclosed, but does not become a reason to affect the child support amount unless they are extraordinarily high. Deviations from the basic child support calculation can be approved for specific, unusual reasons. A copy of the Washington State Child Support Worksheet, including instructions, is available from the Office of the Administrator of the Courts and can be downloaded. How do I pay or receive child support? It is best to pay and to receive child support through the DSHS Division of Child Support, rather than set up direct payments between the parents. The service is free and a permanent record is readily available to both parents of all child support paid and received. Payments can be made by automatic electronic fund transfers from the obligor's bank account to DCS without cost, and the obligee can arrange to receive all support payments electronically, as well. This is the recommended method. Alternatively, DCS will issue a payment coupon book for the obligor to use with regular checks and/or mail checks to the person receiving support. E-mail notification of payments is now available. Register through the DCS web-site. How do you change child support? A Motion for Adjustment or a Petition for Modification of Child Support can be filed. Both parents can agree on what the new support amount should be. In any case, the new support amount must be approved with a court order. Agreements without a court order cannot be enforced and are not effective. Does child support get deducted from the payor’s paycheck? How? Yes. This is done automatically through the Washington State Division of Child Support if support payments are late, or if your Order of Child Support says this will occur. There are no fees for this service. When will the court allow a deviation from the guidelines? A deviation is allowed for any good reason, but the court must put the reason in writing and it must be in the Order of Child Support. The judges do not approve deviations just because the parents agree to them – the deviations must make good sense and be within the law. |
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Child Support
