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Every Seattle family deserves support that fits its real finances, and Modern Family Law's child support attorneys help you set, change or enforce child support and spousal maintenance under Washington law.
Support shapes your budget every month for years, so getting the numbers right matters. Child support is set with the Washington State Child Support Schedule. Spousal support, called spousal maintenance in Washington and often called alimony, is decided case by case. Both can be part of a Seattle divorce, a legal separation or a parenting case.
Our Seattle child and spousal support attorneys look closely at every source of income, explain what the court is likely to do and help you work toward a result that's fair to you and your children. With clear numbers and honest guidance, you can plan for your family's future with confidence.
Schedule a Free ConsultationChild support and spousal maintenance follow different rules. Knowing how each one works helps you plan ahead and feel more in control.
Washington uses an economic table based on both parents' combined monthly net income and the number and ages of the children. Each parent pays a share based on their percentage of that income. Support usually also covers a share of health insurance, day care and other special expenses. A court can order support that's higher or lower than the standard amount, called a deviation, for reasons such as a child spending significant time with the paying parent or children from other relationships. A child support deviation attorney in Seattle can show the court why a deviation is fair, or why it isn't.
Washington has no formula for spousal maintenance. A judge looks at factors such as the length of the marriage, each spouse's age, health and earning ability, the standard of living during the marriage and how long the receiving spouse needs to become self-supporting. Maintenance can be temporary while the case is open, and it can continue after the divorce for a set time, giving both spouses a path to a stable new start.
Get an estimate before your first meeting with our Washington spousal maintenance calculator and child support calculator.
If you're divorcing or separating, support is decided in your King County Superior Court case, usually at the King County Courthouse at 516 Third Ave. Parents who aren't married can ask for support in a parenting plan or parentage case. Support can also be set by the Washington State Division of Child Support through an administrative process.
Support orders are filed on Washington's mandatory child support worksheets. Both parents must share proof of income, usually recent pay stubs and tax returns.
Our Seattle child support attorneys can prepare your worksheets, gather the right financial records and help you ask for a support order that reflects your family's real needs. Reach out to Modern Family Law for a free consultation, and take the first step toward financial security for you and your children.
Life changes, and support orders can change with it. The right next step depends on what happened and what your order says.
You can usually ask to modify child support if there's been a substantial change in circumstances. Washington also lets parents ask for an adjustment every 24 months based on changes in income, even without a major change. A child support modification attorney in Seattle helps you decide whether to file and what proof you need. Spousal maintenance can usually be modified for a substantial change too, unless your decree says it can't be.
Many Seattle households earn more than a base salary, such as bonuses, restricted stock units (RSUs) and stock options. These can count as income for support. When combined income is above the top of Washington's economic table, the court has more discretion, and the details of how pay is structured matter. We help you show the court what income is real, recurring and available for support, so the final order is fair for everyone involved.
Clear numbers can bring real peace of mind. Our Seattle child and spousal support attorneys will review your finances, explain your options and give you a plan tailored to your family. Your first consultation is free.
At Modern Family Law, we walk you through how support is calculated before you make any decisions. Our technology-driven approach keeps your case moving and your costs predictable, so you can focus on what matters most: your family.
Frequently asked questions
The court uses the Washington State Child Support Schedule. It looks at both parents' combined net income and the children's ages, then splits the amount based on each parent's share of the income.
No. Spousal maintenance isn't automatic. A judge decides whether to award it, how much and for how long, based on each spouse's needs and ability to pay.
There's no set formula. Longer marriages and bigger income gaps tend to lead to longer awards. Many awards end on a set date or when the receiving spouse remarries.
You can ask the court to modify support if your income drops substantially. It's best to file as soon as possible, because changes usually aren't backdated before you file.
You can ask the court to enforce the order, and the Division of Child Support can garnish wages and take other collection steps. You don't have to handle missed payments on your own.
Support usually lasts until a child turns 18 or graduates from high school. A court may also order support for college or vocational school in some cases.
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