Support in Washington (2026)

Washington’s Economic Table for Child Support

Washington’s child support system is built around a unique tool: the economic table published as part of the Washington State Child Support Schedule under RCW 26.19.020. While many states use an income shares formula that plugs numbers into a mathematical equation, Washington requires parents and courts to consult a detailed lookup table that maps combined monthly net income against the number of children to produce a specific dollar amount for the basic support obligation.

The economic table covers combined monthly net incomes from $1,000 up to $12,000 (and the schedule provides guidance for incomes above that ceiling). For each income level and number of children, the table specifies a basic support amount that represents the share of household spending that would typically go toward raising children if the family were intact. This approach is grounded in economic research on actual child-rearing expenditures and is updated periodically by the Washington State Legislature based on recommendations from the Child Support Schedule Commission.

What makes the economic table approach distinctive is its transparency: both parents can look at the table and see exactly what the presumptive obligation will be before entering the courtroom. Once the basic obligation is established, it is divided between the parents in proportion to their respective shares of combined monthly net income under RCW 26.19.020. Additional costs — including health insurance premiums, day care, and long-distance transportation for residential time — are added and divided in the same proportion. Deviations from the presumptive amount are permitted under RCW 26.19.075, but only when the court makes written findings that the standard amount would be unjust or inappropriate.

How Washington Calculates Child Support

Washington uses an income shares model governed by RCW 26.19 and the Washington State Child Support Schedule. The guiding principle is that a child should receive the same level of financial support the child would have received if the parents had remained together.

The process begins by determining each parent’s gross monthly income. This includes all income from any source — wages, salaries, commissions, deferred compensation, overtime, contract-related benefits, bonuses, Social Security benefits, disability insurance, pensions, interest, dividends, rental income, and more. If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may impute income based on that parent’s work history, qualifications, and available job opportunities.

The parents’ combined monthly net income is then used to look up the basic support obligation on the economic table in the Washington State Child Support Schedule. That obligation is divided between the parents in proportion to their respective net incomes. Additional expenses — including the child’s share of health insurance premiums, day care costs, and long-distance transportation expenses for visitation — are added and apportioned in the same proportion.

For a general overview of income shares models, see our guide on how child support is calculated. You can also get a preliminary estimate using our child support calculator.

The Washington State Child Support Worksheet

Washington requires the completion of a standardized Child Support Worksheet as part of every support proceeding. The worksheet walks through each step of the calculation:

• Each parent’s gross income and allowable deductions
• The combined monthly net income and corresponding basic support obligation from the economic table
• Each parent’s proportionate share of the obligation
• Standard adjustments for health insurance, day care, and other recurring costs
• Any deviation factors the court considers applicable

The worksheet creates a presumptive support amount. Courts may deviate from this amount, but only by making written findings that the presumptive amount would be unjust or inappropriate in the particular case. Grounds for deviation include income above the economic table’s upper limit, possession of significant wealth, shared residential schedules, and children from other relationships.

Modifying or Terminating Child Support

Either parent may petition to modify child support by showing a substantial change of circumstances. Washington also permits modification if application of the current schedule to the parents’ current incomes would result in a support amount that differs from the existing order by more than 25%.

Child support in Washington ordinarily continues until the child turns 18, or until age 19 if the child is still pursuing a high school diploma or GED. Support also terminates upon the child’s marriage, emancipation, or entry into military service.

Washington also allows post-secondary educational support under RCW 26.19.090, where the court may order a parent to contribute to a dependent child’s college or vocational education expenses.

Enforcement of Child Support Orders

The Washington State Division of Child Support (DCS) has broad enforcement authority, including:

• Automatic income withholding from wages
• Interception of tax refunds and other government payments
• Suspension of driver’s licenses and professional licenses
• Liens on real and personal property
• Passport denial for arrearages exceeding $2,500
• Contempt of court proceedings, which can result in jail time

Arrearages accrue interest and cannot be retroactively reduced. Any modification applies only from the date the petition is filed or the date of service, whichever the court determines.

Spousal Maintenance in Washington

Washington uses the term “spousal maintenance” rather than alimony. Maintenance is governed by RCW 26.09.090, which gives courts discretion to award support to a spouse who lacks sufficient property to provide for reasonable needs and is unable to support themselves through appropriate employment.

The court considers the following factors when determining whether to award maintenance and in what amount:

• The financial resources of the party seeking maintenance, including separate and community property apportioned in the dissolution
• The time necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to enable the requesting party to find appropriate employment
• The standard of living established during the marriage
• The duration of the marriage
• The age, physical and emotional condition, and financial obligations of the spouse seeking maintenance
• The ability of the other spouse to meet their own needs while paying maintenance

Washington does not apply a fixed formula or durational guideline for spousal maintenance. Awards are highly fact-specific, and courts have wide latitude to fashion orders that fit the circumstances of each case. That said, longer marriages and significant income disparities between the spouses tend to produce longer and larger maintenance awards.

Modification and Termination of Spousal Maintenance

Either party may seek modification of a maintenance order by demonstrating a substantial change of circumstances. Maintenance automatically terminates upon the death of either party or the remarriage of the recipient, unless the decree specifically provides otherwise.

Unlike some states, Washington does not have an automatic cohabitation termination provision. However, the paying spouse may argue that the recipient’s cohabitation constitutes a change of circumstances warranting modification or termination.

When to Seek Legal Guidance

Washington’s child support schedule and spousal maintenance framework both involve detailed calculations and significant judicial discretion. If you are navigating a support issue — whether calculating an initial obligation or seeking to modify an existing order — consider scheduling a free consultation with an experienced family law attorney who can evaluate your specific situation.

Statutes referenced: RCW 26.19 (child support), RCW 26.09.090 (spousal maintenance).

Frequently Asked Questions

What child support model does Washington use?

Washington uses an income shares model under RCW 26.19. Both parents’ combined monthly net income is used to look up the basic support obligation on the economic table in the Washington State Child Support Schedule. The obligation is divided in proportion to each parent’s respective net income.

Until what age does child support last in Washington?

Child support ordinarily continues until the child turns 18, or until age 19 if the child is still pursuing a high school diploma or GED. Washington also allows post-secondary educational support under RCW 26.19.090, where the court may order a parent to contribute to college or vocational education expenses.

What triggers a modification of child support in Washington?

Either parent may petition upon a substantial change of circumstances. Washington also permits modification if the current schedule would produce a support amount that differs from the existing order by more than 25%.

What does Washington call alimony?

Washington uses the term “spousal maintenance.” There is no formula for calculating maintenance under RCW 26.09.090. The court weighs factors including financial resources, time needed for education or training, the standard of living during the marriage, the duration of the marriage, and each spouse’s health and age.

How does the economic table work for high-income parents?

The Washington State Child Support Schedule’s economic table covers combined monthly net incomes up to $12,000. For parents whose combined income exceeds this ceiling, the court uses the basic support obligation at the $12,000 level as a starting point and then exercises discretion to set an appropriate amount above that floor. Under RCW 26.19.020, the court considers the child’s standard of living and the parents’ financial resources when making this determination. The obligation above the table’s cap is not automatic — it requires the court to make specific findings.

Can a parent be ordered to pay for college in Washington?

Yes. Under RCW 26.19.090, Washington courts have the authority to order either or both parents to contribute to a dependent child’s post-secondary educational expenses, including tuition, room and board, books, and fees. The court considers factors including the child’s needs, the expectations of the parents and child, the child’s prospects and resources, and the parents’ ability to pay. This is a discretionary authority, not an automatic entitlement.

How This Guide Was Researched

This guide is based on RCW 26.19.020 (the Washington State Child Support Schedule and economic table), RCW 26.19.035 (standards for determining gross income and imputing income), RCW 26.19.071 and RCW 26.19.075 (deviation factors and written findings requirements), and RCW 26.09.090 (spousal maintenance factors). The economic table structure and income thresholds were verified against the current Washington State Child Support Schedule published by the Administrative Office of the Courts. Enforcement mechanisms were confirmed through the Division of Child Support (DCS) published guidelines.

Sources and Legal References

This guide is based on publicly available legal information and official sources, including:

• RCW 26.19.020 (Washington State Child Support Schedule: economic table, basic support obligation, proportionate share calculation)
• RCW 26.19.035 (determination of gross income, imputation of income for voluntarily unemployed or underemployed parents)
• RCW 26.19.071 and RCW 26.19.075 (deviation factors and requirement for written findings to deviate from presumptive amount)
• RCW 26.19.090 (post-secondary educational support authority)
• RCW 26.09.090 (spousal maintenance: eligibility factors, duration, and modification standards)

Official Washington Resources

• Washington Courts — Dissolution (Divorce) Forms

For more about how we research our guides, see our editorial policy and sources methodology.

Related Guides

Learn more about related family law topics:

• Child Support in Washington: A Complete Overview
• Custody in Washington
• Parenting Plan Requirements in Washington
• Divorce in Washington
• Community Property Rules in Washington
• How child support is calculated
• How alimony works
• Child support calculator