Washington Child Support — Calculator, Laws & Guide (2026)

Understanding Washington child support laws helps both custodial and non-custodial parents know their rights and obligations. This comprehensive Washington child support guide covers how payments are calculated, what income counts, when support can be modified, and how orders are enforced. Whether you are going through a divorce, seeking a modification, or dealing with non-payment, this guide explains Washington’s child support system in plain language.

Verified against Washington statutes and federal OCSE guidelines as of April 2026.

Washington Child Support Overview

Washington uses the income shares model for calculating child support. This model is based on the principle that children should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if the family were intact. Both parents’ incomes are combined, and the support obligation is divided proportionally.

Washington uses the Income Shares model under RCW 26.19. Both parents’ net incomes are combined and looked up in the Economic Table (RCW 26.19.020) to determine the total child support obligation based on combined monthly net income and number of children. Each parent’s share is proportional to their percentage of combined net income. As of January 1, 2026 (EHB 1014), the economic table covers combined monthly net incomes from 2200 to 50000 (previously 1000 to 12000). The minimum support obligation is 50 per child per month. Neither parent’s total child support obligation for all children may exceed 45 percent of net income except for good cause.

How Washington Calculates Child Support

The Washington child support calculation considers multiple factors:

1. Determine each parent’s gross income — wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, investment income, and other sources.
2. Calculate combined parental income — add both parents’ adjusted gross incomes together.
3. Apply the guideline schedule — Washington’s guidelines provide a base support amount based on combined income and number of children.
4. Prorate between parents — each parent’s share is proportional to their percentage of the combined income.
5. Add healthcare and childcare costs — these are added to the base amount and divided proportionally.
6. Apply adjustments — parenting time credits, other child obligations, and special circumstances may adjust the final amount.

Online calculator: Use our child support estimator below to calculate your estimated obligation.

What Counts as Income in Washington

Net income. Gross income includes all sources: salaries, wages, commissions, deferred compensation, overtime, contract-related benefits, second job income, dividends, interest, trust income, severance pay, annuities, capital gains, pension/retirement benefits, workers compensation, unemployment benefits, spousal maintenance received, bonuses, social security benefits, and disability insurance benefits. Excluded from gross income: new spouse income, other household adult income, child support received from other relationships, gifts, prizes, TANF, SSI, and general assistance. Deductions from gross to reach net: federal and state income taxes, FICA, mandatory pension payments, mandatory union/professional dues, state industrial insurance premiums, court-ordered spousal maintenance actually paid, and up to 2000 per year in voluntary pension contributions made in the two tax years before separation. As of 2026, WA Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) premiums and WA Cares Fund premiums are also deductible.

Imputed income: YES. Under RCW 26.19.071, the court imputes income to a parent who is voluntarily unemployed or voluntarily underemployed. If a parent is employed full-time, imputation requires a finding that the parent is purposely underemployed to reduce the child support obligation. The court considers: assets, residence, employment and earnings history, job skills, education, literacy, health, age, criminal record, dependency court obligations, employment barriers, job-seeking record, local job market, employer availability, and prevailing local earnings. Income is not imputed to an unemployable parent or a parent who is unemployed/underemployed due to compliance with court-ordered reunification efforts. For a parent currently enrolled in high school, income is imputed at 20 hours per week at minimum wage in their jurisdiction.

Deviation factors: Under RCW 26.19.075, courts may deviate from the standard calculation for: (1) Sources of income and tax planning that benefit the child; (2) Nonrecurring income such as overtime, bonuses, contract benefits, or second-job income (reviewed over the prior two calendar years); (3) Debt and high expenses including extraordinary debt not voluntarily incurred, significant disparity in living costs beyond parents’ control, special needs of disabled children, special medical/educational/psychological needs of children, and costs of court-ordered reunification; (4) Residential schedule — significant time with the obligor parent (but not if deviation would leave the receiving household with insufficient funds for the child’s basic needs); (5) Children from other relationships to whom the parent owes a duty of support; (6) Other factors including income of other household adults (disclosure required but not alone sufficient for deviation), gifts, prizes, possession of wealth, extraordinary child income. Written findings of fact are required for any deviation.

Healthcare & Childcare in Washington Child Support

Health insurance: Health care costs are not included in the Economic Table and are calculated separately under RCW 26.19.080. Monthly health care costs are shared by the parents in the same proportion as the basic child support obligation (i.e., proportional to each parent’s share of combined net income). Health care costs include medical, dental, orthodontia, vision, chiropractic, mental health treatment, prescription medications, and similar costs. Under RCW 26.09.105, the court must address medical support, and each child support order must include a provision requiring one or both parents to maintain health insurance for the child if available at a reasonable cost.

Childcare costs: Day care and special child-rearing expenses (such as tuition and long-distance transportation for visitation) are not included in the Economic Table. Under RCW 26.19.080, these costs are added to the basic support obligation and allocated between the parents in the same proportion as their share of combined monthly net income. The actual childcare costs must be reasonable and necessary for the custodial parent to maintain employment or attend training/education.

When Does Washington Child Support End?

In Washington, child support generally ends when the child reaches 18, or when the child graduates high school, whichever is later. Under RCW 26.09.170(3), support terminates upon emancipation of the child or death of the obligor. A dependent child over 18 who is still in high school continues to receive support until graduation. The court may order indefinite support for an adult child with physical or mental disabilities preventing self-sufficiency under RCW 26.09.100, with no age cap.. However, support may continue or end earlier based on:

• The child graduates from high school (if still a minor)
• The child becomes emancipated (marriage, military service, self-supporting)
• The child has special needs requiring ongoing support
• College support: YES. Under RCW 26.19.090, the court has discretion to order postsecondary educational support. The child support schedule is advisory (not mandatory) for this purpose. The court considers: the child’s age, needs, prospects, desires, aptitudes, abilities or disabilities; the nature of the postsecondary education sought; parental expectations when together; parents’ education level, standard of living, and resources. The child must be enrolled in an accredited academic or vocational school, actively pursuing a course of study, and in good academic standing. Support cannot be ordered beyond the child’s 23rd birthday except for exceptional circumstances such as disabilities. Payments may be directed to the educational institution.

Modifying Washington Child Support

When to modify: A substantial change of circumstances that would change the support obligation by at least 25 percent or 100 per month, whichever is greater. Alternatively, if 24 months have passed since the order was entered or last modified, modification may be requested based on changes in either parent’s income or changes in the child support schedule/economic table without proving a substantial change. The 2026 EHB 1014 changes to the economic table and self-support reserve qualify as a basis for the 24-month review. A voluntary change (like quitting a job) or something known at the time the order was entered generally does not qualify as a substantial change.

How to modify: Either parent can petition the court for modification under RCW 26.09.170. If the case is managed by the Division of Child Support (DCS/DSHS), either parent can request an administrative review and adjustment through DCS. DCS can review the order and propose adjustments without going to court. For court-only orders, the parent must file a petition to modify in the county where the order was entered (or where either parent resides under RCW 26.09.280). The modification takes effect from the date the petition is filed — not retroactively. Forms are available from Washington Courts (courts.wa.gov) and Washington Law Help (washingtonlawhelp.org).

Either parent can request a modification. Changes are typically not retroactive to before the date of filing the modification request.

Washington Child Support Enforcement

Washington has multiple tools to enforce child support orders when a parent fails to pay:

• Income withholding orders (wage garnishment from employer); federal and state tax refund intercepts; driver’s license suspension; professional license suspension; recreational license suspension; bank account seizure/freeze; credit bureau reporting; property liens (real estate
• vehicles); passport denial (federal
• for arrears over 2500); contempt of court proceedings; insurance settlement intercepts. Many enforcement actions are administrative and do not require court involvement. Federal law mandates certain actions automatically: IRS certification
• credit bureau reporting
• and passport denial.

Contact Division of Child Support (DCS), within the Economic Services Administration of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) at https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/division-child-support for enforcement assistance.

Additional Washington rules: (1) 2026 EHB 1014 overhaul: Economic table expanded to 50000 combined monthly net income (from 12000); self-support reserve raised to 180 percent of federal poverty guideline (from 125 percent); PFML and WA Cares Fund premiums now deductible; low-income floor raised to 2200 (from 1000). (2) 45 percent cap: Neither parent’s child support for all biological/legal children may exceed 45 percent of net income except for good cause. (3) Washington is the first state to recognize Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) deductions in child support calculations. (4) Quadrennial review: RCW 26.19.025 requires review of guidelines every four years by a work group convened by the Division of Child Support. (5) All child support orders must use the WSCSS worksheets filed with the court. (6) Minimum support: 50 per child per month regardless of income level.

Official Sources & Resources

• Division of Child Support (DCS), within the Economic Services Administration of the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS): https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/division-child-support
• Federal OCSE: acf.hhs.gov/css
• Cornell LII — Child Support: law.cornell.edu
• Washington Guidelines Statute: RCW Chapter 26.19 (Child Support Schedule) — key sections: RCW 26.19.011 (definitions), RCW 26.19.020 (economic table), RCW 26.19.035 (application standards), RCW 26.19.071 (income determination), RCW 26.19.075 (deviation standards), RCW 26.19.080 (allocation of obligation, day care, special expenses), RCW 26.19.090 (postsecondary educational support). Modification governed by RCW 26.09.170. Enforcement governed by RCW Chapter 26.18. As amended by Engrossed House Bill 1014 effective January 1, 2026.

Last verified April 2026. Contact us if you notice outdated information.

Estimate Your Child Support

Use our free child support estimator to calculate estimated monthly payments. Enter both parents’ incomes, number of children, and custody arrangement to see a personalized breakdown based on your state’s formula.

Related Guides

• Washington Divorce Process Guide
• Washington Child Custody Guide
• Washington Alimony Guide
• All Child Support Guides