Child Support

Recent Posts in the Child Support Category

  • Enforcing Child Support in Washington

    Enforcing Child Support in Washington If a parent who has been ordered to pay child support fails to fulfill their legal obligation, then the parent who is collecting support can take action to enforce the child support order. The Division of Child Support (DCS) has the power to start collection actions against a noncustodial parent who fails to make child support payments. The custodial parent also has the option to file an enforcement action with the court if they want to request a judgment regarding the delinquent parent’s failure to pay child support. Common ...
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  • Getting Divorced While Pregnant: The Legal Issues

    Getting Divorced While Pregnant: The Legal Issues When a couple is in the midst of divorce, pregnancy can be incredibly stressful. While some couples may choose to postpone the divorce until after the child is born, others may feel waiting isn’t an option. Can You Get a Divorce While Pregnant? Yes, in the state of Washington, you are allowed to finalize your divorce even if you are pregnant. Although the courts cannot prevent you from divorcing simply because a spouse is pregnant, you may encounter some legal issues as you begin the dissolution process. Will the Other ...
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  • When Can Support Payments be Modified in Washington?

    When Can Support Payments be Modified in Washington? In Washington, support payments, whether child or spousal, are not necessarily fixed indefinitely. The law recognizes that life circumstances can change, sometimes drastically, and these changes may warrant a modification of the existing support order. This adjustment is a legal procedure that necessitates a thorough understanding of the associated laws and regulations. The requirements for modification, however, differ between child support and spousal support payments. A significant change in circumstances is generally the ...
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  • What is Post-Secondary Child Support?

    What is Post-Secondary Child Support? Post-secondary child support, also called post-secondary educational support, is the court-ordered payment for a child’s college expenses. Under Washington state law, the court can order a divorced parent to pay for some or all of their child’s secondary education expenses, including not only colleges, but trade schools, vocational schools, and sometimes even graduate school. Post-secondary support for your child’s education can be determined in two ways: First, it can be included in your divorce and custody agreement. Both ...
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  • What to Know About Unemployment & Child Support Payments

    What to Know About Unemployment & Child Support Payments If a non-custodial parent is unemployed or lacks a stable income or employment history, courts can still require them to pay a child support obligation. The purpose of child support payments is to ensure that the child's needs are met. That is why the child support order remains in effect even if a non-custodial parent loses their job. Below, we explain how unemployment can impact your child support payments and alter your unemployment benefits. Are Unemployment Benefits Affected by Child Support Payments? If you miss your ...
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  • FAQ: Father’s Rights

    FAQ: Father’s Rights Fathers are entitled to the same parental rights as mothers when it comes to family law matters like child custody, visitation, and child support. Fathers also have a right to participate in how their child is raised including where they go to school, their religious upbringing, and other important aspects of their lives. However, many unmarried and divorced dads must go to court and initiate custody cases for their parental rights to be recognized. Below, we answer common questions that fathers have about their parental ...
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  • How Child Support Is Determined When a Parent Has No Income

    How Child Support Is Determined When a Parent Has No Income If you don't have a source of income and cannot afford child support, you will still be required to make a monthly child support payment. If a parent does not have a source of income, the court may calculate income based on prior work history and/or the parent’s potential earning capacity. For example, if a parent is unemployed or underemployed, the court may look at the parent’s previous employment history to determine how much they are capable of earning again in the future. Essentially, your child support obligation will ...
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  • How Courts Calculate a Parent’s Income for Child Support

    How Courts Calculate a Parent’s Income for Child Support Washington State expects both parents to contribute financially to the welfare and care of their children. Child support amounts are primarily driven by the parents’ incomes and the number of children requiring support. Calculating income is not as simple as looking at a person’s paycheck stub. There are potentially multiple sources of income that must be included and deductions that are subtracted. Income Sources Included in Child Support Calculation Most Washington residents receive their greatest income from a job or ...
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