In Washington, child support is not a flat percentage of one parent's paycheck. The state uses an income shares model: both parents' net incomes are combined, a basic support obligation is pulled from the state's Economic Table, and that obligation is then split between the parents in proportion to each one's share of the combined income (RCW 26.19.020; Chapter 26.19 RCW). Health care, day care, and other special child-rearing costs are handled separately and added on top, shared the same way.
How the income shares model works
The basic idea is simple even though the worksheet looks complicated. The court adds both parents' monthly net incomes together, looks up the combined amount on the Economic Table to find a basic support figure for the number and ages of the children, and then divides that figure between the parents based on each parent's percentage share of the combined income. A parent who earns 60% of the household's combined net income is generally responsible for 60% of the basic obligation, and so on.
Time-sensitive: As of January 1, 2026, the Economic Table is presumptive for combined monthly net incomes up to $50,000. If the parents' combined net income is above that level, a court may order support above the $50,000-level amount only if it makes written findings of fact supporting that decision (RCW 26.19.020, effective January 1, 2026). This is a relatively new dollar threshold, so double-check with your Washington court or a current copy of the child support schedule that it hasn't since been updated again.
What counts as income
Before the Economic Table can be used, the court has to figure out each parent's income. Washington law requires that "all income and resources of each parent's household" be disclosed and considered (RCW 26.19.071(1)). Monthly gross income is defined broadly and includes income from any source, such as:
Wages and salaries, self-employment income, bonuses, and overtime
Interest and dividends
Pensions and Social Security benefits
Unemployment, disability, and workers' compensation benefits
Maintenance (spousal support) received from a former spouse or partner
Some income is excluded from the calculation. Under RCW 26.19.071(4), the court does not count the income of a new spouse or domestic partner or other adults in the household, child support received for children from a different relationship, means-tested public assistance such as TANF, SSI, or food assistance, and certain overtime or second-job income earned beyond a standard 40-hour work week.
To get from gross income down to net income, Washington law allows specific deductions, including federal and state income taxes, FICA, mandatory pension contributions, up to $5,000 per year in voluntary retirement contributions, mandatory union or professional dues, state industrial insurance premiums, court-ordered maintenance actually paid, and ordinary business expenses and taxes tied to self-employment income (RCW 26.19.071(5)). To support these figures, each parent is generally expected to provide tax returns for the preceding two years along with current pay stubs.
Minimum support and low-income parents
Washington's guidelines build in protection for very low earners. A self-support reserve equal to 180% of the federal poverty level for a one-person household is factored in, and presumptive minimum child support is set at not less than $50 per child per month, unless a parent shows that amount would be unjust in the circumstances (RCW 26.19.065). Low-income provisions can adjust the standard calculation further depending on each parent's actual ability to pay.
When the standard amount can be adjusted
The Economic Table amount is a starting point, not an unbreakable number. A court may deviate from the standard calculation when, for example, a child spends a significant amount of time with the parent who would otherwise pay support, since that parent is already covering day-to-day costs directly. However, a deviation cannot be granted if it would leave insufficient funds to meet the child's basic needs, or if the child is receiving TANF benefits. Any deviation must be backed by written findings explaining the reasoning (RCW 26.19.075).
Health care, day care, and other add-on expenses
Costs like health insurance premiums for the child, day care, and other court-ordered special child-rearing expenses are not baked into the basic Economic Table figure. Instead, Washington law requires these to be allocated between the parents in the same proportion as the basic support obligation itself — so a parent responsible for 60% of basic support generally pays 60% of these add-on costs as well (RCW 26.19.080).
Modifying a support order
Time-sensitive: The rules governing when and how a Washington support or maintenance order can be modified or terminated are found in RCW 26.09.170. A new version of that statute is scheduled to take effect April 1, 2027; until then, the version currently in force controls. Because this statute is mid-transition, do not rely on a summary from memory or an old printout — pull the current version from the Washington Legislature's website or confirm with your court before assuming you know the modification standard that applies to your case.
Enforcement, interstate cases, and bankruptcy
Child support in Washington doesn't operate in isolation — a federal framework backs it up. Every state, including Washington, must run a child support enforcement (IV-D) agency and use federally mandated enforcement tools such as automatic income withholding, paternity establishment procedures, driver's license suspension, and liens against property (42 U.S.C. §§ 654, 666). Federal law also waives sovereign immunity so that federal wages and certain federal benefits can be garnished to collect support (42 U.S.C. § 659).
If parents live in different states, federal law requires every state to enforce a valid child support order issued by another state, and generally bars a second state from modifying that order except under narrow continuing-jurisdiction rules (28 U.S.C. § 1738B). This works together with Washington's version of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act to determine which state's order controls when the parents no longer live in the same state.
Child support obligations also survive bankruptcy. A domestic support obligation like child support cannot be discharged in bankruptcy (11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(5)) and is paid ahead of most other unsecured debts (11 U.S.C. § 507(a)(1)). Property-settlement debts owed to a former spouse under a divorce decree are also generally non-dischargeable in a Chapter 7 case (11 U.S.C. § 523(a)(15)).
What you can do in Washington
Gather your income documentation now. Washington's worksheet process expects tax returns for the preceding two years and current pay stubs from both parents, so start collecting these early (RCW 26.19.071(5)).
Identify every income source and every exclusion that applies to you. Make a list of wages, self-employment income, bonuses, benefits, and any maintenance received, then separately note anything that should be excluded, such as a new partner's income or public assistance (RCW 26.19.071(4)).
List your allowable deductions. Track mandatory taxes, retirement contributions up to the allowed amount, union dues, and any maintenance you pay, since these lower your net income figure for the worksheet (RCW 26.19.071(5)).
Think through your residential schedule. If your child spends significant time with the parent who would pay support, be ready to explain how that time affects day-to-day costs, since this can support a deviation request (RCW 26.19.075).
Separate out add-on costs. Keep records of health insurance premiums, day care, and other special expenses so they can be allocated proportionally alongside the basic obligation (RCW 26.19.080).
Confirm current statute versions before you file or rely on a number. Because several of these provisions changed effective January 1, 2026, and the modification statute is set to change again on April 1, 2027, verify you are looking at the version currently in effect, ideally by checking with the Washington court handling your case.
If support isn't being paid, or your case involves another state, ask your local IV-D child support enforcement office about your options, including income withholding and interstate enforcement under UIFSA.
Frequently asked questions
Does Washington use a percentage-of-income model like some other states?
No. Washington uses the income shares model, where a basic support amount is derived from the combined net income of both parents on the Economic Table and then split proportionally, rather than applying a flat percentage to one parent's income alone (RCW 26.19.020).
Is there a minimum amount of child support in Washington?
Yes, generally. Washington sets a presumptive minimum of not less than $50 per child per month, though a parent can show that amount would be unjust under the circumstances (RCW 26.19.065).
Are health insurance and day care costs included in the basic support amount?
No. These are treated as separate add-on expenses and are shared between the parents in the same proportion as the basic support obligation, rather than being folded into the Economic Table figure (RCW 26.19.080).
Can I get support reduced because my child stays with me a lot?
A court can deviate from the standard calculation when a child spends significant time with the paying parent, but only with written findings, and never in a way that leaves the child without enough for basic needs or while the child is receiving TANF (RCW 26.19.075).
What happens if the other parent moves to a different state?
Federal law requires other states to enforce a valid Washington child support order and generally prevents another state from modifying it outside narrow jurisdictional rules, working alongside Washington's interstate family support law (28 U.S.C. § 1738B).
This article is general information about Washington law, not legal advice for your situation; consult a licensed Washington attorney or your local court for guidance on your specific case.
Frequently asked questions
Does Washington use a percentage-of-income model like some other states?
No. Washington uses the income shares model, where a basic support amount is derived from the combined net income of both parents on the Economic Table and then split proportionally, rather than applying a flat percentage to one parent's income alone (RCW 26.19.020).
Is there a minimum amount of child support in Washington?
Yes, generally. Washington sets a presumptive minimum of not less than $50 per child per month, though a parent can show that amount would be unjust under the circumstances (RCW 26.19.065).
Are health insurance and day care costs included in the basic support amount?
No. These are treated as separate add-on expenses and are shared between the parents in the same proportion as the basic support obligation, rather than being folded into the Economic Table figure (RCW 26.19.080).
Can I get support reduced because my child stays with me a lot?
A court can deviate from the standard calculation when a child spends significant time with the paying parent, but only with written findings, and never in a way that leaves the child without enough for basic needs or while the child is receiving TANF (RCW 26.19.075).
What happens if the other parent moves to a different state?
Federal law requires other states to enforce a valid Washington child support order and generally prevents another state from modifying it outside narrow jurisdictional rules, working alongside Washington's interstate family support law (28 U.S.C. § 1738B).
This article is general legal information, not legal advice, and may not reflect the most current law or the law in your jurisdiction. Laws vary by state and change over time. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.
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