How is child support determined, and who pays child support?
The state of Washington uses a Child Support Schedule to determine the support necessary for the child. The combined net income of both parents determines the total amount of child support, based on the Schedule. The non-placement parent will then make a payment of child support based on that parent’s percentage portion of the total income. For example, Dad has a net income of $2000 per month, and Mom makes $1800 per month, so the total net income is $3800. Out of this amount, Dad contributes 52% of the total income and Mom contributes 48%. According to the current schedule, the child support obligation for a family with one child, whose net income is $3800, is $581 a month. Of that $581, Dad will be responsible for 52%, or $302, and Mom will be responsible for $279. The non-placement parent will then make a transfer payment to the other parent. The placement parent does not make a payment, but is expected to provide the balance of the total child support obligation for the support of
