Washington Child Support Lawyers
Pursuing Fair Child Support Arrangements for Our Clients
Child support cases can arise under a variety of family law circumstances, such as a divorce, paternity, non-parental custody, relocation, and parenting plan modifications. In fact, family law courts are legally obligated to ensure that a suitable support plan is established if a child is involved in a family law case. This is to ensure that parents adequately support their own children rather than the state taxpayers.
How We Can Help
Child support cases are often complex, requiring representation from a knowledgeable lawyer. The child support attorneys at McKinley Irvin have represented hundreds of clients in a wide variety of child support cases. Our firm can assist you with establishing a child support arrangement, modifying a preexisting child support order, and/or enforcing child support obligations.
How Is Child Support Determined?
Washington State uses a child support formula to determine the base monthly child support amount. The factors include the number of children, their ages, and the incomes of the parents.
How do you calculate child support in Washington?
The amount of child support that the paying parent is required to provide is calculated with a statutory formula. To find an estimate for how much child support your case would warrant, visit the Washington State Child Support Calculator provided by Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS).
In Washington, the primary factor for determining child support is both parents' net income. Determining net income is fairly simple in the case of W-2 wage earners with no additional sources of income. Determining net income can become significantly more complex when the party is unemployed, underemployed, a business owner, or receives an irregular income.
To arrive at a fair child support resolution, you need a lawyer who will go to great lengths to obtain the necessary documents that accurately establish net income. At McKinley Irvin, our attorneys have achieved countless successful case outcomes for clients, even when net income was difficult to prove.
What are "extraordinary expenses"?
Parents will also need to share the burden of "extraordinary expenses," which include expenses for the child that go beyond basic needs. Extraordinary expenses are not the same as "child support," but rather refer to costs for education, extracurricular activities, travel, and other similar kinds of expenses. Each parent's responsibility for paying extraordinary expenses is determined by his or her proportional share of the net income between both parents.
Example of Determining Obligation for Extraordinary Expenses
If John's net income is $5,000 a month, and Joan's net income is $3,500 a month, the combined net income of both parties is $8,500. John's share of the combined net income is 59% ($5000 / $8,500), and Joan's share is 41% ($3,500 / $8,500). Thus, John will pay 59% of extraordinary expenses, and Joan will pay 41%.
How Is Child Support Enforced?
If the paying parent fails to make child support payments or misses a deadline, the state or a private party can file an enforcement action. McKinley Irvin's child support lawyers understand the complexities involved in enforcement and contempt actions and can help you navigate the situation, whether you are pursuing the judgement or have been served one.
The lawyers at McKinley Irvin have experience with child support cases brought by the state as well as child support cases filed through the Division of Child Support. To find the attorney best suited to meet your family law needs, contact our office to schedule your consultation.
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Client testimonials
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"I knew I had a great team looking out for my best interest."My daughter is the sunshine of my life. I felt despair and a sense of helplessness on the day I was served. On the first appointment day when I arrived at the office and sat down with my lawyer, I knew I had made the right decision. From the beginning of my case to conclusion, I knew I had a great team looking out for my best interest (and the best interest of my child). Thank you McKinley Irvin!- Christine P.
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"Thanks for all the work for our family over the past year."Thanks for all the work for our family over the past year. We’re really glad you are on our side.- P.O.
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"I always felt my specific needs were very well represented and that I could count on David to be a trusted adviser."David remained very level headed and family focused throughout our proceedings. That said, I always felt my specific needs were very well represented and that I could count on David to be a trusted adviser during an otherwise difficult time.- T.M.
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"We would highly recommend the knowledgeable and dedicated law firm of McKinley Irvin to anyone who might be seeking legal services."In our search for a reputable law firm to handle my sister’s divorce case, we explored our options until we found the McKinley Irvin law firm. McKinley Irvin has, through our experience, proven to be compassionate, understanding and patient during the long term process of my sister’s case. Due to her disabilities she needed more than the legalities and McKinley Irvin was able to provide their knowledge as well as the assurance to my sister that her case would be handled in her best interest. We cannot begin to express our gratitude for all that the McKinley Irvin law firm has done for us. We would highly recommend the knowledgeable and dedicated law firm of McKinley Irvin to anyone who might be seeking legal services.- P.M.
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"I cannot imagine two people better able to represent me."Without David and Sam, there is no way I could have made it through this exceptionally difficult time in my life. I cannot imagine two people better able to represent me, nor a better firm to handle my affairs. You all have been wonderful!- M.L.
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"My attorney was very good in and out of the courtroom. Always kept me up to date on any issues that came up."My attorney was very good in and out of the courtroom. Always kept me up to date on any issues that came up and was very knowledgeable on custody issues.- R.R.
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"You all stood by me no matter how trying my case got. I always felt at ease knowing that you were there to guide me through this."I would like to give my sincere appreciation to Jennifer Payseno and staff. You all stood by me no matter how trying my case got. I always felt at ease knowing that you were there to guide me through this most difficult time. Thank you for not only being my attorney but becoming part of our extended family.- M.F.
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"Thank you very much for doing such a wonderful job. It has been a pleasure working with you."Dave, thank you very much for doing such a wonderful job. It has been a pleasure working with you.- R.C.