Child Support Attorneys in Washington State, Kent, Everett & Lynnwood
If you are facing a child support case in Washington State, the experienced child support and family law attorneys at Feldman & Lee PS in Everett, Lynnwood, and Kent can help protect your rights and ensure your child receives the support they deserve. Our legal team provides compassionate guidance, strategic advice, and practical solutions for parents navigating divorce, paternity, or parenting plan modifications.
With divorce comes many contentious, emotional issues, child support being one of them. Support cases arise from a variety of family law actions, including parenting plan changes, relocation, non-parental custody, paternity and divorce. In a legal sense, the court is obligated to ensure that a suitable plan for support is put in place if a child is involved in the case. This is done to make sure that parents are adequately supporting their children instead of placing the burden on the taxpayers of Washington.
Our support staff and child support attorneys in Kent, Everett, and Lynnwood have experience in a wide variety of family law scenarios in the state of Washington. We can help you establish, modify or enforce a child support order, and give you an honest assessment of what options are available given the circumstances of your situation. Cases with children can get complicated, so we recommend representation from an experienced child support lawyer from Feldman & Lee PS.
Child Support Calculation in Washington State
Child support payments in Washington State are calculated using a statutory formula defined by state law. The primary factor is the net (post-tax) income of both parents.
For parents who receive all their income via W2 forms and have no additional income, this calculation is fairly straightforward. Complications can arise when one or both parents:
- Own a business or have irregular income
- Are unemployed or underemployed
In cases of underemployment, the court may use income imputation. This occurs when the court believes a parent is intentionally earning below their capacity to avoid paying fair child support. The court estimates what the parent could earn based on experience, skills, education, and past employment history.
In these situations, a child support lawyer is an invaluable resource. They can help gather all necessary documents, ensure net income is calculated accurately, and make sure the child support award is fair and reasonable.
At Feldman & Lee PS, our experienced child support attorneys in Everett, Lynnwood, and Kent have successfully handled complex cases and are prepared to assist you with every step of your case.
Extraordinary Expenses in Support Cases
What Are Extraordinary Expenses?
Parents may be required to share their child’s “extraordinary expenses,” which include costs beyond basic needs, such as travel, extracurricular activities, education, and other special expenses. Each parent’s responsibility is determined by their proportional share of the combined net income.
Example of Expense Allocation
If John and June have a combined net income of $8,000, and June earns $6,000 (75% of total income), she would pay 75% of extraordinary expenses while John pays 25%.
Child Support Enforcement
What Happens When Payments Are Missed?
If a parent fails to make child support payments, the other parent or the state can file an enforcement action. Missed payments can cause financial strain on the receiving parent, while payers may face legal consequences. Our child support attorneys in Everett, Lynnwood, and Kent can guide you through enforcement proceedings.
How We Help
At Feldman & Lee PS, we understand the intricacies of contempt of court and enforcement actions, helping both receivers and payers navigate these situations efficiently.
Support Can Be Modified
When Can Child Support Be Modified?
If there is a significant change in circumstances, such as the child moving in with the other parent, a new higher paying job, or loss of income, you may request a modification. Court approval is required, and documentation must demonstrate the change.
Why Legal Guidance Matters
Even if both parents agree, the modification must be filed in court to be formal. An experienced child support lawyer can help prepare and submit the paperwork and documentation to ensure your modification is valid and enforceable.
How Feldman & Lee PS Can Help
Our child support attorneys in Everett, Lynnwood, and Kent have handled many types of child support cases and can guide you through every step to achieve the best possible outcome. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
