Washington Child Support
Estimate for Washington
Washington uses the Income Shares model.
Official schedule: Washington State Child Support Schedule Economic Table, RCW 26.19.020 (certified 2026-07-15, eff 2026-01-01) (2026)
View calculation breakdown
| Combined parental income | $9,000 |
|---|---|
| Total basic obligation (schedule) | $2,052 |
| Obligor income share | 55.6% |
| Obligor basic obligation | $1,140 |
| Estimated monthly support | $1,140 |
How the basic obligation splits between parents
Estimated monthly support by number of children
§ How Washington calculates support
Washington uses the Income Shares model based on both parents' combined MONTHLY NET income, looked up on the Economic Table (RCW 26.19.020). A self-support reserve — 180% of the federal poverty level for one person, about $2,348/month in 2026 — caps the paying parent's obligation, and a $50-per-child monthly minimum applies. A residential credit applies when the noncustodial parent has 90+ overnights per year; the table is presumptive up to $50,000 combined monthly net income (raised from $12,000 by HB 1014, effective Jan. 1, 2026). Deviations require written findings.
Content verified against official sources on 2026-08-09.
✦ How to open or modify a case in Washington
- Apply through the Division of Child Support (DCS) or file a petition in Superior Court.
- DCS locates the other parent and establishes paternity if needed.
- Complete the worksheets using the Washington State Child Support Schedule (RCW 26.19); use the official DCS calculator to estimate the obligation.
- A support order is entered by the court (or an administrative order through DCS).
- DCS collects and enforces payments; modify by filing a petition (RCW 26.09.170) showing a substantial change in circumstances, comparing the existing order to the recalculated guideline amount.
◈ Illustrative examples
Scenario: Parents of two children. Combined monthly NET income = $10,000 (Parent A $6,000 net / 60%; Parent B $4,000 net / 40%).
Walk-through: Using the 2026 Economic Table (RCW 26.19.020), the basic support obligation for $10,000 combined net and two children is $1,099 per child = $2,198 total. Split by income share: Parent A pays 60% = $1,319; Parent B (custodial) is assumed to spend 40% = $879 directly. Parent A pays $1,319/month plus their share of health-insurance and work-related child-care add-ons.
Takeaway: Washington divides the schedule amount by net-income share; $10,000 sits within the presumptive table, whose cap was raised to $50,000 in 2026.
Scenario: A low-income obligor whose calculated support would drop their net income below subsistence.
Walk-through: The obligation cannot push the paying parent below the self-support reserve — 180% of the federal poverty level for one person (about $2,348/month in 2026). If the formula would go lower, the payment is reduced, subject to the $50-per-child monthly minimum.
Takeaway: Washington protects the obligor's basic living costs while keeping a per-child floor.
? Frequently asked questions
↗ Official policy & agency links
Sources verified: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=26.19 · https://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/dcs/SSGen/Home · https://www.childsupportonline.wa.gov/