Child Support Attorney In Tacoma WA
Child support ensures that both parents contribute financially to raising their children, even when they live in separate households. Whether you’re the parent who will pay support, the parent who will receive it, or a parent facing a request to modify an existing order, understanding how Washington calculates and enforces child support is critical to protecting your rights and your children’s wellbeing.
At Schroader Law, we help parents in Tacoma and Pierce County with all aspects of child support including initial establishment, modifications when circumstances change, enforcement when payments aren’t made, and post-secondary support for college expenses. Child support can be complicated, especially with the significant changes to Washington law that took effect in 2026, and you deserve clear guidance through the process.
What Is Child Support?
Child support is a court-ordered payment from one parent to the other to help cover the costs of raising children. In Washington, both parents have a legal duty to financially support their children, whether those parents were married, living together, or never in a relationship.
The Purpose of Child Support
Child support is intended to ensure children receive the same proportional share of parental income they would have received if the family had remained together. The money helps pay for basic necessities like food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and education. Child support is the right of the child, not the right of the parent who receives it.
When Child Support Is Ordered
Child support orders are entered as part of divorce proceedings, legal separation cases, paternity cases when unmarried parents establish legal parentage, and modifications of existing parenting plans. Any time there is a court order establishing a parenting plan in Washington, there must also be a child support order.
Child support is closely tied to child custody & visitation arrangements because the residential schedule affects how support is calculated. The amount of time children spend with each parent is one of several factors that determine the support obligation.
How Long Child Support Lasts
In Washington, child support typically continues until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever comes later. If a child turns 18 during their senior year of high school, support continues through graduation. For children with disabilities that prevent them from being self-supporting, child support may continue beyond age 18.
Importantly, parents may also be ordered to provide post-secondary support for college and vocational school expenses, which can extend financial responsibility well beyond high school graduation and potentially until the child turns 23.
How Child Support Is Calculated In Washington
Washington uses an “income shares model” for calculating child support. This model is based on research showing how much parents at different income levels typically spend on their children. The goal is to have children receive a similar proportion of parental income as they would if the family were still together.
The 2026 Changes to Washington’s Economic Table
Effective January 1, 2026, Washington implemented significant changes to child support calculations that affect both low-income and high-income families. These changes bring more predictability and fairness to the system.
For higher-income families, the economic table was expanded to cover combined monthly net incomes up to $50,000. The previous table capped at $12,000, requiring courts to extrapolate or make discretionary findings above that amount. This expansion creates hard numbers for support obligations rather than leaving high-income cases to judicial discretion, which often results in higher transfer payments for high earners compared to previous rulings.
For lower-income families, the minimum income threshold increased from $1,000 to $2,200 combined monthly net income. This change recognizes that the cost of living in Washington has risen substantially. The minimum monthly support amount remains at $50 per child for families below this threshold.
The self-support reserve, which is the amount a paying parent must be left with after paying child support, increased to 180% of the federal poverty guideline for a one-person household. This protects low-income parents from being pushed below subsistence levels by their support obligations.
The Basic Calculation Steps
Child support calculation in Washington follows several steps. First, each parent’s gross monthly income is determined, including wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, unemployment benefits, workers’ compensation, Social Security, interest, dividends, rental income, and spousal maintenance / alimony received from a different relationship.
Next, certain deductions are made to arrive at net income, including income taxes, FICA or self-employment taxes, mandatory union or professional dues, mandatory pension plan payments, spousal maintenance / alimony paid to a different relationship, and normal business expenses for self-employed individuals. As of 2026, required state insurance premiums can also be deducted from gross income.
The parents’ net incomes are added together to get combined monthly net income. This combined income is then referenced on the Washington State Child Support Economic Table found in RCW 26.19.020, along with the number of children, to determine the basic support obligation.
This basic support amount is then divided between the parents in proportion to their respective incomes. If one parent earns 70% of the combined income, they are responsible for 70% of the support obligation. If the other parent earns 30%, they are responsible for 30%.
Finally, the calculation accounts for which parent has the children for residential time according to the child custody & visitation arrangement. The parent with less residential time typically pays their share to the parent with more time, since the children’s expenses are primarily incurred in the household where they spend most of their time.
Adjustments and Add-Ons
The basic support obligation covers ordinary expenses, but additional amounts may be added for health insurance premiums for the children, uninsured medical expenses, day care or childcare costs necessary for employment or education, and educational expenses agreed upon by the parties.
As of 2026, educational expenses were removed from the economic table itself, providing more flexibility in how these costs are addressed in individual cases.
Deviations From the Standard Calculation
While the economic table provides a presumptive support amount, courts can deviate from the standard calculation in certain circumstances. Deviations may be appropriate when children have special needs, one parent has significant wealth or income not captured in the calculation, the child spends significant time with both parents in a shared residential schedule, one parent has extraordinary debt from medical expenses or for the child’s benefit, or other factors make the standard calculation unjust or inappropriate.
Any deviation from the standard calculation must be justified by written findings of fact explaining why the deviation serves the best interests of the child.
Post-Secondary Support For College Expenses
Washington is one of a minority of states that recognizes post-secondary educational support. This means courts can order parents to contribute to their children’s college or vocational school expenses even after the child turns 18 and graduates from high school.
What Post-Secondary Support Covers
Post-secondary support can help pay for tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation expenses, and other reasonable costs associated with attending college or vocational school. The support is designed to help children pursue higher education when they otherwise might not be able to afford it.
When Post-Secondary Support Is Ordered
Unlike standard child support which is calculated using the economic table, post-secondary support is discretionary. Courts consider whether to order it on a case-by-case basis using factors listed in RCW 26.19.090.
These factors include the age of the child, the child’s needs, the expectations of the parties for their children when the parents were together, whether the child was enrolled in school when the parents separated, the child’s prospects for attending post-secondary education, the nature and extent of the post-secondary education including whether it is public or private, the amount of time necessary to complete the program, the child’s academic preparation and whether they have the aptitude and motivation to complete the program successfully, the student’s age and maturity, the student’s honesty and good faith in pursuing the educational program, the parents’ level of education, the parents’ standard of living and current resources, and the family’s financial resources at the time the child was expected to attend post-secondary education.
Courts also consider the amount of support the child can reasonably obtain from other sources including financial aid, scholarships, the child’s own earnings, and assets in the child’s name.
Important Deadlines and Limits
You must file your request for post-secondary support with the court no later than the child’s graduation date from high school in order to preserve your claim. Missing this deadline can result in losing the right to request college support.
Post-secondary support typically cannot extend beyond the child’s 23rd birthday except in cases involving physical, mental, or emotional disabilities. Support is limited to a maximum of five years unless there are exceptional circumstances.
How Post-Secondary Support Is Paid
If post-secondary support is granted, the court decides how much will be paid and how payments are made. Courts often order one of three payment methods: payments made directly to the child, payments made directly to the educational institution, or if the child lives with one parent while attending school, payments made to that parent.
Post-secondary support differs fundamentally from standard child support because it involves discretionary judicial determinations rather than formula-based calculations. The court has broad discretion in deciding whether to order it and in what amount.
Modifying Child Support Orders
Child support orders are based on circumstances at the time they are entered, but life changes. Job losses, promotions, new children, changes in residential schedules, and other significant changes can all affect whether the existing support amount is still appropriate.
When Modification Is Allowed
Washington law allows modification of child support when there has been a substantial change of circumstances since the last order. This generally means either a change of at least 30% in the support amount that would result from applying the current economic table, or the passage of at least 12 months since the last order and a change of at least 20% in the support amount.
Substantial changes can also include changes in residential schedule that affect how much time each parent has with the children under the child custody & visitation arrangement, a parent’s disability or serious illness affecting income, involuntary loss of employment through no fault of the parent, changes in children’s expenses such as new childcare costs or health insurance, or parental relocation that significantly affects the parenting schedule and associated travel costs.
In cases involving domestic violence or financial control, survivors may need to seek modification when they are finally able to leave an abusive situation and the financial realities become clearer. Courts understand that financial abuse can hide true earning capacity and expenses.
The Process for Modification
Either parent can request modification by filing a petition for modifications to court orders with the court. You must provide current financial information including pay stubs, tax returns, and documentation of expenses. The court will recalculate support based on current circumstances and determine whether modification is warranted.
The Division of Child Support (DCS) also has authority to review and modify support orders administratively in certain circumstances without requiring a full court hearing.
It’s important to continue paying the existing support amount until the court enters a new order. Support obligations do not change automatically just because your circumstances changed. Failing to pay while waiting for modification can result in arrears and enforcement of court orders issues.
Voluntary Changes and Imputed Income
Courts will not modify support simply because a parent voluntarily quit their job or took lower-paying work to avoid their obligations. If you voluntarily become unemployed or underemployed without good cause, the court can impute income to you based on what you could earn with reasonable effort, rather than what you actually earn.
Good causes for a change in employment might include accepting a better long-term opportunity that pays less initially, returning to school for career advancement, health problems that prevent you from continuing your previous work, or caring for a disabled child or family member. The key is showing that the change was necessary and made in good faith, not to avoid support.
Enforcement Of Child Support
When a parent fails to pay court-ordered child support, Washington has multiple enforcement tools available to collect past-due support and ensure future compliance.
Division of Child Support (DCS)
The Washington State Division of Child Support is the primary agency responsible for child support enforcement. DCS can help locate non-paying parents, establish paternity when needed, establish support orders, collect current support and past-due amounts, and enforce orders through various legal mechanisms.
Parents receiving public assistance such as TANF automatically have their cases handled by DCS. Other parents can apply for DCS services for a small application fee.
Enforcement Methods
Washington uses numerous enforcement methods to collect unpaid child support. Wage garnishment is the most common, where support is automatically deducted from the paying parent’s paycheck before they receive it. Tax refund interception can capture both state and federal tax refunds to pay toward arrears.
Driver’s license suspension can occur when support is significantly past due. Professional and occupational licenses can also be suspended. Liens can be placed on real property and other assets. Bank accounts can be levied to collect past-due amounts.
In serious cases, contempt of court proceedings can be filed through enforcement of court orders actions, which may result in fines or even jail time. Credit bureaus are notified of past-due support, damaging the non-paying parent’s credit rating. Passport denial can prevent obtaining or renewing a U.S. passport when arrears exceed certain thresholds.
Private Enforcement Actions
In addition to DCS enforcement, the parent receiving support can also file a private enforcement of court orders action in court. This may be appropriate when DCS is not handling the case or when faster action is needed. A private attorney can seek a finding of contempt, request immediate payment of arrears, ask for reimbursement of attorney fees and costs, and pursue other remedies.
Interest accrues automatically on past-due child support in Washington, currently at 12% per year. This means arrears can grow quickly when left unpaid, creating increasing financial pressure on the non-paying parent.
Why Choose Schroader Law For Child Support Cases
Child support cases require accurate financial analysis, understanding of complex calculation rules, and strategic thinking about both current circumstances and future changes. At Schroader Law, we handle these matters with attention to the 2026 legal changes and the practical realities of supporting children in two households in Tacoma and Pierce County.
Here is how we approach child support cases:
Accurate Calculations and Documentation – We carefully review income information, allowable deductions, and add-on expenses to ensure support is calculated correctly under the 2026 economic table. We also consider how child custody & visitation schedules affect the calculation. Mistakes in the initial calculation can result in years of overpayment or underpayment.
Strategic Advice on Deviations – When standard calculations produce unfair results, we build the record necessary to support deviation requests. This includes documenting special needs, extraordinary expenses, wealth or assets not captured in income, and other factors that justify departure from the presumptive amount.
Timely Modification Actions – We help clients recognize when circumstances have changed enough to warrant modifications to court orders and move quickly to file petitions before financial hardship worsens. Whether the change involves income, child custody & visitation schedules, parental relocation, or other factors, we also defend against inappropriate modification requests from the other parent.
Comprehensive Enforcement – When support is not being paid, we pursue enforcement of court orders through both DCS and private court actions as appropriate. We document non-payment, calculate arrears with interest, and seek all available remedies to secure payment.
Our focus is on fair support orders that genuinely reflect both parents’ financial ability to contribute and the real costs of raising children.
FAQs About Child Support In Washington
- How much child support will I pay or receive?
A. Child support is calculated using the Washington State Child Support Economic Table based on both parents’ net incomes and the number of children. As of 2026, the table covers combined incomes up to $50,000 per month. The specific amount depends on your combined income, how it’s divided between you, the child custody & visitation schedule, and any additional expenses like health insurance or daycare.
- What changed in Washington’s child support law in 2026?
A. The 2026 changes expanded the economic table to $50,000 in combined income (up from $12,000), raised the minimum income threshold from $1,000 to $2,200, increased the self-support reserve to 180% of federal poverty level, and allowed deduction of required state insurance premiums. These changes provide more predictability for high-income families and better protection for low-income parents.
- Can child support be modified if my income changes?
A. Yes. If there has been a substantial change of circumstances, generally meaning a change of at least 30% in the support amount or at least 20% if 12 months have passed since the last order, you can request modifications to court orders. Job loss, promotion, disability, changes in child custody & visitation schedules, or parental relocation can all support modification.
- What happens if my ex doesn’t pay child support?
A. Washington has multiple enforcement tools including wage garnishment, tax refund interception, license suspension, bank account levies, property liens, contempt proceedings, and credit reporting. The Division of Child Support can help with enforcement, or you can file a private enforcement of court orders action through an attorney.
- Do I still have to pay child support if I don’t see my kids?
A. Yes. Child support and parenting time are separate issues. Your obligation to financially support your children continues even if the other parent interferes with your residential time. The remedy for parenting time violations is enforcement of court orders for the parenting plan, not stopping support payments.
- Can parents agree to a different child support amount?
A. Parents can agree to an amount different from the standard calculation, but the court must approve it and find that the agreement is in the best interests of the children. Courts rarely approve agreements for substantially less than the standard calculation. Any agreement must be entered as a court order to be enforceable.
- What is post-secondary support and how is it different from child support?
A. Post-secondary support is financial support for college or vocational school expenses after high school graduation, potentially continuing until age 23. Unlike regular child support which is calculated using the economic table, post-secondary support is discretionary and based on multiple factors including the parents’ expectations, resources, and the child’s academic preparation.
- When do I need to ask for post-secondary support?
A. You must file your request for post-secondary support no later than the child’s graduation date from high school. Missing this deadline can result in losing the right to request college support. If you think you may want the other parent to contribute to college costs, address this before your child graduates.
- Does child support cover college expenses?
A. Regular child support typically ends at age 18 or high school graduation, whichever is later. College expenses are addressed separately through post-secondary support, which is discretionary and must be specifically requested. Courts consider factors like the parents’ expectations when together, their financial resources, and the child’s academic performance.
- Can I reduce my child support by quitting my job?
A. No. Courts can impute income to parents who voluntarily quit jobs or reduce their income to avoid support obligations. If you voluntarily become unemployed or underemployed without good cause, the court can base support on what you could earn rather than what you actually earn.
- How does domestic violence affect child support?
A. Domestic violence can affect child support in several ways. Financial abuse may have hidden true income or earning capacity. Survivors leaving abusive situations may need temporary support orders quickly. Courts may also consider safety factors when determining whether in-person hearings are appropriate or whether modifications to support or custody are needed.
Get Help With Child Support In Tacoma
Child support affects your financial future and your children’s wellbeing. Whether you’re establishing initial support in a divorce, legal separation, or paternity case, seeking modifications to court orders due to changed circumstances, pursuing enforcement of court orders for unpaid support, or addressing post-secondary education expenses, you need clear guidance and strategic advocacy.
At Schroader Law, we handle all aspects of child support cases in Tacoma and Pierce County with attention to the significant 2026 legal changes and practical realities of supporting children. Our goal is to secure fair support orders that genuinely reflect the law and your family’s circumstances.
Contact us to schedule a consultation. We will review your financial situation, explain how support would be calculated in your case, and outline your options for establishing, modifying, or enforcing support.
Your children deserve the financial support they need, and you deserve an order that’s fair and sustainable. Reach out to Schroader Law for experienced help with your child support matter.