What Does My Monthly Child Support Payment Cover?

Anne B. Bennette, Edmonds Lawyer

In the State of Washington, a Child Support Order identifies a ‘standard transfer payment’ from the obligor to the obligee.  This amount is based on each party’s income and the number of children to be supported.  The standard transfer payment is included on the child support worksheet and calculated by taking the combined net income of the parties and assigning the party’s proportionate share of income to the total basic support obligation for a child as determined by statute (RCW 26.19.020). 

For example, based on the statute, a combined net monthly income of $12,000 in a one-child household assigns a total basic support obligation of $1,573/month.  If each parent’s monthly net income is $6,000, then 50% of that basic support obligation is the standard transfer payment for child support ($786.50/month).  However, many parents do not fully understand what that amount is meant to pay for. 

Per RCW 26.19 the standard transfer payment is intended “to meet a child’s basic needs.”  Basic necessities are typically defined as ‘food, water, shelter, and clothing.’  What is omitted from this definition is education, healthcare, daycare, and children’s activities or any other extraordinary expenses of the children. 

Per RCW 26.19.080(2), health care costs are not included even though health care costs are to be shared by the parents in the same proportion as the basic child support obligation. Health care costs shall include, but not be limited to, medical, dental, orthodontia, vision, chiropractic, mental health treatment, prescription medications, and other similar costs for care and treatment.  Even though each parent shall pay proportionately for these costs – it is not included in the standard monthly amount.  These costs should be specifically identified in the child support order as well as the requirements to prove payment, the deadline for reimbursement, and the method of reimbursement. 

Per RCW 26.19.080(3) day care and special child rearing expenses, such as tuition and long-distance transportation costs, are not included in the transfer payment. And again, even though these expenses shall be shared by the parents in the same proportion as the basic child support obligation, they must be specifically identified in the child support order as well as the requirement to prove payment, the deadline for reimbursement, and the method of reimbursement.  All of the children’s educational expenses and extracurricular expenses must be specified in the child support order for those payments to be enforceable.   

Our Family Law Group is available to assist you with all family law related matters including dissolutions, separations, support, and parenting plan matters. 

To learn more about What Does My Monthly Child Support Payment Cover?, please contact Beresford Booth at info@beresfordlaw.com or by phone at (425) 776-4

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