Child Support
Ensuring Financial Stability for Your Children
In Washington State, both parents are responsible for supporting their children financially — regardless of marital status. The amount of child support is based on a state formula that considers income, parenting time, and other factors.
At Yohana Valdez Law, we help clients understand their rights and obligations, calculate support accurately, and navigate enforcement or modification when circumstances change.
How Child Support Works in Washington
Washington uses a Child Support Schedule that calculates the monthly amount based on:
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Both parents’ incomes
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Number of children
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Custody and parenting time
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Costs like health insurance, daycare, and education
Once the amount is determined, a Child Support Order is entered by the court and becomes legally enforceable.
What We Help With
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Establishing new child support orders
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Calculating support based on accurate financial information
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Ensuring fair contributions to healthcare, childcare, and school costs
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Enforcement when payments are missed or inconsistent
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Modifying support when income or parenting arrangements change
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Coordinating with the Division of Child Support (DCS) if needed
Whether you’re the parent receiving or paying support, we make sure your child’s needs are prioritized — and that the legal process is handled clearly and fairly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Washington uses a statewide formula based on both parents’ incomes, the number of children, and certain expenses like health insurance or childcare. The court uses a standardized Child Support Schedule, but we help ensure the numbers are accurate and fairly reflect your situation.
Possibly. Even in shared custody arrangements, the court may order support if one parent earns significantly more than the other, or if one parent covers most of the child’s expenses. It depends on the full financial picture.
If you have a court order and the other parent is not paying, there are enforcement options. We can help you work with the Division of Child Support (DCS) or return to court to seek compliance through wage garnishment or other legal remedies.
In some cases, yes — but the court still has to approve the agreement. If it’s too low or doesn’t meet the child’s needs, the court may reject it. We help clients structure agreements that are fair, legal, and likely to be accepted.
Yes. If either parent’s income or parenting schedule changes significantly, you can request a modification. We help determine whether a change is likely to be approved and assist with filing the necessary paperwork.
Not always. You can establish and manage child support directly through the court. However, DCS can help enforce orders and track payments if needed. We can help you decide which option is best for your case.