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Notes on How to Use the Calculator:
(First, it does not cover split custody or other more complex issues for that see
below.) When entering the number be sure to only put in number no letters
like "zero". If a persons income is unknown or zero put in a 0, or an estimate
of their income. The figures are based on take home pay after the employer
deducts taxes, SSI, medical, FICA and a reasonable amount to the company retirement
plan. It you can't deduct from that your living expenses or meals or rent
or anything like that. You should look on your pay stub. For example,
an average person with a gross income of $3200 will have about $400-600 taken out
monthly, in that range. So they would put in their gross of $3200 minus $400
(or $600 etc.) to get the NET income of $2800. It is the $2800 that you put
in the box above. In the box for "Num. Children 12 and Older" you must put
in a number from 0-4. If none of your kids are 12 and older put "0". in the
box. The check box for "Primary Custody" just means who the child spends the
most overnights with. But if over 25% of the overnights are
with the other parent the "Residential Credit" will apply and for each overnight
support will be reduced slightly. (see below) You can agree to pay more in
child-support but not less, unless you have a "Reason Justifying a Deviation" from
the Standard Calculation. (again, see below as these are more complex issues).
If you are close to the 25% just ignore it to get a rough estimate of support.
This calculator has been tested on the
support tables and it is accurate! This calculator does not
have spots for deductions for purposes of simplicity: Just focus on the net income!
Imputed Income Table (if the parent's income is unknown or intentionally not working)
If your spouse is not working the Court will often just use one of the figures above.
The figures above are NET so they go directly in the boxes on the calculator.
More Complex Issues
If your support involves mixed custody schedule then likely the Residential Credit
schedule will kick in and your support will be reduced. If you have overnights
less than 91 per year it won't kick in. Or, you may have a joint custody situation
where one child stays the entire time with the other parent but the children are
not in the same age brackets. This results in a more subtle calculation as
well. Sometimes you may have a business or are concerned about working under
the table or deductions allowed or even renouncing or relinquishing custody to stop
support. I would be more than glad to help you handle these but it usually
requires at least 1.5 hours of my legal time. You can simply purchase 1.5
hours in advance and then I can anlayze your situation. To have me do that
purchase a set number of hours at the order page, and then
give me a call and/or email to get started.
Modifying support
To get a brief heads up click on the following link regarding
modifying or changing your washington child support order. It is best
to purchase a "diagnosis" for $85 so that I can see
what all is involved in your case. Example cases I have started a diagnosis
with: mom and dad were doing split custody but never modified the support order.
Eight years later the new spouse decideds it's time to collect on the back support
order of $15,000. DSHS starts garnishing wages. I file motions requesting
both a "mod" of support and Releif from operation of the judgment based on the case
law in similar situations. Maybe I will need to do 3 hours of research and
tell you don't have a good chance. I don't make guarantees: only that I will
give you my good efforts to get to the bottom of the situation and give you an honest
assessment of your situation.
There are many issues that come up under RCW 26.20 and support issues. From
tax deductions, payment through the state, not spending the money on the child,
to non-approved daycare centers and private school tuition. I don't offer
a free consultation about these matters except after you have purchased an
uncontested divorce, and in that case I just give you the basics of how
it works and handle all the matters in getting a legal and correct support order
put together and signed by the Judge.
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