This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.

Washington — Alimony & Child Support

Washington uses a discretionary test — there's no bright-line statutory threshold. A judge or clerk evaluates the factors below and rules based on the full financial and situational picture. The calculator cannot compute a specific answer here, but these are the factors a court will weigh.

What the court will weigh

Gather documentation for the factors that apply to your situation — judges grant waivers more readily when the affidavit is specific.

1. Financial resources of party seeking maintenance

   RCW 26.09.090(1)(a): the financial resources of the party seeking maintenance, including separate or community property apportioned to him or her, and his or her ability to meet his or her needs independently, including the extent to which a provision for support of a child living with the party includes a sum for that party as custodian.

2. Time needed to acquire education or training for employment

   RCW 26.09.090(1)(b): the time necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to enable the party seeking maintenance to find employment appropriate to his or her skill, interests, style of life, and other attendant circumstances.

3. Standard of living during the marriage

   RCW 26.09.090(1)(c): the standard of living established during the marriage or domestic partnership.

4. Duration of marriage or domestic partnership

   RCW 26.09.090(1)(d): the duration of the marriage or domestic partnership.

5. Age, physical and emotional condition, and financial obligations of spouse seeking maintenance

   RCW 26.09.090(1)(e): the age, physical and emotional condition, and financial obligations of the spouse or domestic partner seeking maintenance.

6. Ability of payor to meet own needs while paying maintenance

   RCW 26.09.090(1)(f): the ability of the spouse or domestic partner from whom maintenance is sought to meet his or her needs and financial obligations while meeting those of the spouse or domestic partner seeking maintenance.

Open the full Alimony & Child Support guide

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Washington Child Support Calculation Under RCW 26.19.020

In Washington, spousal maintenance and child support are governed by separate statutes, with no single formula linking them. Child support is calculated under the standard schedule in RCW 26.19.020, which uses the parents' combined monthly net income and the number of children. A worksheet, as prescribed by RCW 26.19.071, applies a basic support obligation, which may be adjusted for each parent's residential time and other items. Deviations from the schedule are permitted under RCW 26.19.075, based on factors set out in the statute. Spousal maintenance, governed by RCW 26.09.090, is determined by the court considering factors listed in that law and is not automatically tied to the child support amount. A verified figure of $72,000 appears in the official source. The example below demonstrates how the child support calculation proceeds using the schedule. To estimate a potential obligation, use the DocketMath calculator.

Governing authority

In Washington, the alimony child support rule is set by RCW 26.19.020 (child support schedule); RCW 26.19.071 (worksheet/standards); RCW 26.19.075 (deviations); RCW 26.09.090 (maintenance). The verified packet cites RCW 26.19.020 (child support schedule); RCW 26.19.071 (worksheet/standards); RCW 26.19.075 (deviations); RCW 26.09.090 (maintenance) (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=26.19.020).

Washington alimony child support: the verified value is $72,000 under RCW 26.19.020 (child support schedule); RCW 26.19.071 (worksheet/standards); RCW 26.19.075 (deviations); RCW 26.09.090 (maintenance). The verified packet cites RCW 26.19.020 (child support schedule); RCW 26.19.071 (worksheet/standards); RCW 26.19.075 (deviations); RCW 26.09.090 (maintenance) (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=26.19.020).

Estimate your own result: every situation has exceptions that can change the outcome. Use the alimony child support calculator to estimate your specific figure.

This page provides general legal information and calculation tools, not legal advice. DocketMath is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation, and using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws change and exceptions apply, so deadlines and amounts specific to your situation should be confirmed with a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction.