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Divorce is hard for everyone involved, even if it is the best thing for your family. It is especially difficult for children who may not be able to comprehend why it is happening. Worse, a divorce often means that both households suffer a decline in income following the separation, according to Pew Research. To try to prevent children from facing undue hardship, state law requires both parents to contribute to child support.
A Fircrest child support lawyer could explain how the time your child spends with you or your ex-partner helps offset the amount you or your co-parent must pay in monetary compensation and what your actual responsibilities are in supporting your child after a divorce. At Lutz & Associates, P.S., our family law attorneys focus on the well-being of your child and conflict-free resolutions, providing clear and compassionate guidance through this difficult time. We will answer your calls when you need us, provide consistent updates on your case, and ensure you know where your case stands at all times.
Child support in Washington depends on the best interests of the child after the divorce. Courts consider many factors, including the income of both parents after the separation, where the child will primarily reside, and the age of the child and any special needs. When deciding on the paying parent and payment amounts, the court cannot make a parent pay more than 45 percent of their net (not gross) income, and cannot bring their net income below 180 percent of the federal poverty level.
The goal of child support is to make both parents support their child equally as if they were still living together. The custody agreement is essential to this determination so that if parents have a custody agreement near 50/50, child support payments may be at near-parity as well.
You can devise your own child support agreement if you wish. A Fircrest family lawyer could help you write a child support agreement that is within state guidelines. If a King County court judge approves, you can incorporate it into your marital settlement agreement. However, it is important to note that parents may not waive child support or set a fixed sum in a prenuptial agreement.
Children grow up and have different needs as they age depending on their interests and lifestyle. After three years, the paying parent can ask for a review of the support order under the Revised Code of Washington § 26.09.175. You can modify an order if the change will be $100 or greater, or 25 percent or more of the existing order.
You can also request a modification if you can show a significant change in your life circumstances. Changes in a child support order may require help from a Fircrest attorney, since a request for modification can require a hearing and careful presentation of your reasoning for requesting the change. Some reasons for a modification may include:
Child support usually ends when the child reaches the age of 18, although support can extend through college if a parent requests it. In some cases, judges may order lifetime support for special-needs children who will not be self-supporting.
When making or modifying a child support agreement, you should contact a Fircrest child support lawyer at Lutz & Associates, P.S. Since 1997, our firm has exclusively handled family law cases, so we are prepared to give your child support case our full attention and the strategic and professional guidance these cases often call for. We do not run up the tab on your case and prioritize efficient and fair resolutions to your concerns. Call us today at (253) 785-8815 or contact us online for a case review appointment. We would love to speak with you about your concerns and offer guidance through your legal case.