Although Washington state supports the rights of both parents, child support cases are often the most contentious. Balancing a child's financial needs with a parent's financial capabilities is a very complex process, which is why a skilled Auburn child support attorney at your side can help. We specialize in contentious child support cases and have decades of experience with the King County family courts. We'll fight for the best interests of you and your child.
Know Your Rights Under Washington State LawUnder Washington law, parents and their children have rights regarding child support. Let’s delve into several of them:
If you feel any of your rights have been infringed upon, contact an Auburn child support attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions About Washington Child Support CasesIn our decades of experience, we have learned the most common questions of parents facing child support claims. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked ones:
King County calculates child support using the Washington State Child Support Schedule. It considers both parents' incomes, which includes all wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, and other sources. Certain deductions and credits, such as for other children in the household or childcare expenses, are also factored in. To determine the basic support obligation, the Courts use the total income of both parents and the number of children needing support.
In Washington, if the other parent fails to pay child support as ordered, Courts can take several enforcement actions such as interception of tax refunds, wage garnishment, suspension of licenses (such as driver's or professional licenses), or even contempt of court charges, which could result in fines or imprisonment.
In general, child support in Washington will continue until the child graduates from high school or reaches the age of 18, whichever happens later. However, there are exceptions for children with disabilities or other unique circumstances, where support may continue beyond this age.
Certainly, child support mandates issued within Washington are subject to enforcement beyond its borders via the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA). This legislation facilitates the enforcement of child support orders across state lines, promoting collaboration among the child support agencies of various states.
Parenting time, or the time each parent spends with the child, can affect child support calculations in Washington. The more time a parent dedicates to being with their child, the less they may be required to contribute to child support. Parenting time credits are applied to adjust child support payments accordingly.
In Washington, courts recognize that children with special needs have additional expenses. These can include medical costs not covered by insurance or tuition for specialized educational programs. When such needs arise, the courts may consider them part of the basic child support obligation and order the non-custodial parent to contribute additional support to cover these essential expenses.
Yes, as long as they comply with the court order or agreement, parents can directly pay child support to each other. Another way to make payments is through the Washington State Support Registry. Remember to keep accurate records of payments made and received to avoid disputes in the future.
Concerned about their child's well-being, parents paying child support often seek assurance that the funds are directly benefiting their children. They want to know there are methods in place to ensure the money is used for the child's necessities, rather than rather than the custodial parent's expenses.
Yes, child support payments can be modified in cases of financial shifts like job loss or income reduction. Parents can request a court review to amend the support order.
Suppose the other parent refuses to pay child support. The other parent might inquire about enforcement options to compel compliance with the support order and the potential consequences for nonpayment.
Parents have the right to question child support orders they see as unjust. To effectively contest the order, they must understand the avenues available to dispute the order and the criteria the court considers when determining child support obligations.
If there are concerns about misuse or abuse of child support payments by the custodial parent, it's essential to gather evidence and documentation to support these claims. Parents must learn what legal options are available to address the issue and how to protect the child's best interest.
Parents who believe they are not the biological parent of the child may want to contest parentage and seek relief from child support obligations. They may have questions about the legal process for challenging parentage, such as through genetic testing or other means, and how it impacts child support orders.
Suppose the child has special medical or educational needs that exceed the basic child support obligation. In that case, parents may want to know how these additional expenses are addressed in child support proceedings, where to get additional support for extraordinary expenses, and what factors the court considers in determining these amounts.
When financial hardship makes it difficult to meet a child support order, parents can explore options to seek relief or modifications. They'll likely have questions about their available options, such as temporary reductions or even suspending payments altogether. Additionally, they'll want to understand the evidence needed to support their request in court.
If there are allegations of abuse or neglect by the other parent, it's crucial to take steps to protect the child's safety and well-being. Parents may want to know how to report allegations to the appropriate authorities and what legal options are available to address custody and visitation issues considering these allegations.
Parents who are incarcerated or unable to work due to disability or other circumstances may have questions about their child support obligations and options for modification and may want to know how to seek adjustments to child support orders based on their current financial situation.
Enforcing child support orders can be especially concerning for parents when the other parent resides in a different country, leading to questions about the available legal mechanisms for international enforcement and how to navigate the complexities of international law in such situations.
If you're ready to have your child support questions answered, our King County child support lawyers are here for you. Contact our Auburn law offices to protect your rights.