How Child Support is Calculated in Washington State: A 2025 Guide For Parents

When parents live in separate households or move through the divorce process in Washington state, the court will seek to ensure that both parents are actively supporting the child in some way. Since most child custody arrangements are not an exact fifty-fifty split (with the child residing with each parent for an equal amount of time), the court may order the parent with less custodial time and responsibilities to make monthly child support payments to the other parent to ensure that both parties are sharing the financial responsibilities of raising the child. Washington courts use several different factors to establish an equitable and reasonable child support schedule that prioritizes the best interests of the child above everything else. In most cases, child support ends when the child reaches the age of 18, unless there are additional circumstances or considerations that need to be addressed. For instance, a child with special needs may require ongoing care once they reach adulthood. Moreover, children with special needs often need many different types of support in order to live comfortably and thrive, which can increase the financial burden on the primary custodial parent. In these cases, the court may grant deviations from the standard child support formula so that both parents can help to cover these additional expenses (i.e., therapy, medical treatments, mobility equipment, etc.). 

If you are the parent of a child with special needs, you may have several questions about navigating the divorce or legal separation process in Washington state and how this decision will affect your child. During this daunting and vulnerable time in your life, it’s especially important that you partner with a highly qualified and empathetic Seattle family law attorney who understands your concerns and goals. When you work with the Hemmat Law Group, Seattle’s go-to divorce and family law firm, you can expect to be treated with the care, respect, and attention you deserve. Together, we will assess the specifics of your situation and determine the best approach to ensure that you and your child can move forward into a secure and bright future. Let’s take a closer look at how Washington typically handles parenting plans for children with disabilities and how enlisting the guidance of a trusted and experienced Seattle family lawyer is the best way to protect the best interests of you and your child at every opportunity. 

Navigating Special Needs Child Support in Washington State

Whenever the court approaches a child support case in Washington state, the judge’s primary goal is to seek an arrangement that protects the best interests of the child. In other words, the judge will establish a child support order that ensures that both parents are jointly contributing to the financial well-being of the child. For instance, both parents are responsible for covering the child’s living expenses, education, medical care, and other essential costs that allow the child to enjoy a stable and nurturing environment in which they may grow and thrive. The court recognizes that the needs of each child may vary, which is why a judge will examine several factors before arriving at a fair and reasonable child support plan. 

Recognizing the Additional Costs of Raising a Child With Special Needs 

Cases in which the child has special needs typically require additional care and attention, as the child’s needs may be more significant and ongoing than in other cases. Children with special needs often need more focused care than other children, which usually means additional financial burdens on the child’s parents (i.e., medical bills, costly medications, special education costs, therapy expenses). Many parents of children with special needs need to modify their living spaces and cars to support their child’s mobility challenges, which can be considerably costly to install. Additional costs, such as caregivers, assisted living expenses, or in-home nursing care, can also affect both parents financially. As a judge in Washington state approaches a parenting plan or child support case involving a child with special needs, they will seek an arrangement that prioritizes the child’s best interests and holds both parents responsible for covering the costs of supporting and raising the child. 

Going Beyond the Standard Child Support Formulas

Most child support orders are determined using the Washington state child support schedule, which uses factors like the income of each parent and the costs of the child’s basic needs to arrive at a fair monthly amount that the noncustodial parent should pay the custodial parent. However, the court may deviate from the standard child support calculation under certain circumstances. For instance, the child support schedule states, “The court may deviate from the standard calculation after consideration of the following expenses: (i) Extraordinary debt not voluntarily incurred; (ii) A significant disparity in the living costs of the parents due to conditions beyond their control; (iii) Special needs of disabled children; or (iv) Special medical, educational or psychological needs of the children.” In other words, the judge can take these considerations and arrive at a different child support determination that addresses the additional costs of raising a child with special needs. 

Understanding Extended Child Support in Washington

In most cases, child support obligations end once the child reaches the age of 18. The reasoning is that once the child is old enough to make their own decisions, they need less parental support moving forward. However, some children with disabilities will not be able to fully care for themselves, even once they reach adulthood. These individuals may need ongoing care for the rest of their lives, which can present a significant financial strain for their parents. To that end, the court may require ongoing child support payments from the noncustodial parent. This ensures that the much-needed financial support does not suddenly disappear once the dependent child turns 18—instead, both parents will be responsible for providing for the child as they move into adulthood. Each case differs, which means that the judge will examine the specific circumstances of every case to inform their decision. Below are a few considerations that may be explored and addressed when determining child support for disabilities in Washington state.

Is Extended Child Support Warranted?

The court will assess the severity of the child’s disability as well as their current and anticipated needs in the future. Additionally, the judge will look at the financial resources of each parent to determine a fair child support order that ensures active contributions from both parties. When assessing the child’s current and future needs, the court can review medical records and seek the recommendations of medical professionals who can describe the nature of the child’s disability and how it affects their ability to care for themselves. If it’s determined that the child will not be capable of caring for themselves or living independently, the court will likely extend the child support order to protect the best interests of the child as they age.

Are Child Support Modifications Justified?

When a child support order is established, the court recognizes that circumstances may arise that can prompt a modification to the existing order. For instance, if the child with special needs encounters significant complications that trigger unanticipated costs, a child support modification may be necessary to ensure that both parents are assisting with these expenses. If you have questions about the child support modification process in Washington state, reach out to a highly trusted and caring Seattle child support attorney today to get started. 

Creating Detailed Parenting Plans to Protect Your Child’s Best Interests

Child support is one component of the larger parenting plan. No matter what your relationship to your child’s other parent has become, you are both responsible for raising and caring for your child. Parenting plans can be created by the parents and approved by the court to ensure that all parties understand their parental roles and responsibilities. While it’s important for any parenting plan to be thorough and detailed, this is particularly critical in situations involving a child with special needs. Parenting plans for children with disabilities need to address the child’s unique needs and how each parent will help to support and care for the child. Without including clearly defined terms in the parenting plan, disagreements and disputes may arise that can trigger costly legal battles or jeopardize the child’s well-being. When you take the time to create a careful and comprehensive parenting plan, you can minimize potential issues and disagreements and better support your child and their needs. To learn more about your options for securing the future and ensuring that your child receives the care and support they need, get in touch with the dedicated and compassionate legal team at the Hemmat Law Group to get started. 

At the Hemmat Law Group, we are committed to providing every client we serve with the care, attention, and support they need as they grapple with divorce and family law disputes. We are ready to listen to your specific concerns and goals so that we can help you identify the most appropriate course of action that secures you a fair and favorable outcome. If you have questions about navigating child support in Washington state, please contact our Seattle office today at (206) 682-5200 to get started with a highly qualified and experienced family law attorney.