03 Feb Deviating From Washington State Support Worksheets
Navigating divorce involves endless decisions, but few generate as much anxiety as finances involving your children. If you are going through a separation in Washington State, you have likely encountered the standard Child Support Schedule Worksheets. These standard calculations provide a baseline for what the state believes is an appropriate financial contribution from each parent.
However, life rarely fits neatly into a standardized box. Families are complex, expenses vary, and standard calculations do not always capture the reality of raising a child in your specific circumstances. Fortunately, the law acknowledges that these calculations are presumptive—meaning they are the starting point, not necessarily the finish line. Courts possess the discretion to order a deviation from the standard support schedule when strict application would result in an unfair or inappropriate outcome.
Below, we explore what you should know about deviating from Washington State support worksheets.
The Presumptive Calculation
Before examining deviations, it is helpful to understand the baseline. Washington State uses an Income Shares Model. This concept assumes that children should receive the same share of parental income they would have obtained if the parents lived together. The court combines both parents’ net incomes to determine the total basic support obligation based on the economic table. That obligation is then divided between the parents proportional to their income.
This result is the presumptive amount. Under RCW 26.19.011, the court presumes this amount is correct. Consequently, the burden of proof rests on the parent requesting a change. You must demonstrate to the court that following the standard calculation would be unjust or inappropriate for the child or the parents.
Common Grounds for Deviation
The legislature has outlined several non-exclusive reasons a court might consider deviating from the standard calculation.
Residential Schedule Deviations
One of the most frequent reasons parents seek a deviation involves the residential schedule—specifically, how much time the child spends with the paying parent. The standard calculation assumes the custodial parent (the one with whom the child resides the majority of the time) incurs the bulk of the direct expenses, such as food, shelter, transportation, and daily necessities.
However, many modern parenting plans involve shared residential placement (50/50 custody) or substantial visitation time. If you have the child for a significant amount of time, you are likely duplicating many expenses. You are maintaining a bedroom, buying groceries, providing transportation, and paying for entertainment just as the other parent is. In these scenarios, paying the full standard transfer payment might leave you with insufficient funds to care for the child when they are in your home.
The court may grant a deviation if the child spends a lot of time with the parent who is making support payments. This deviation acknowledges that the costs of raising the child are being shared more directly than the standard formula assumes.
Children from Other Relationships
Washington law recognizes that parents may have obligations to children from other relationships. If you are supporting children from a previous or subsequent relationship, the standard worksheet might take a disproportionate amount of your income, leaving you unable to support your other dependents adequately.
The “whole family formula” is often used here. It attempts to balance the needs of all children involved, preventing a situation where children from a current marriage are prioritized over children from a previous one, or vice versa.
Wealth and High Income
The economic tables used in Washington State cap out at a combined monthly net income of $12,000. When parents earn more than this amount, the court typically extrapolates the support amount. However, there are instances where strict adherence to the schedule for high-income earners results in a transfer payment that far exceeds the child’s actual needs.
In these cases, a deviation might be appropriate if the calculated amount would result in a surplus that effectively becomes spousal maintenance (alimony) disguised as child support.
Extraordinary Expenses
Sometimes, the deviation request stems from costs that the basic support obligation does not cover. These “extraordinary expenses” can include costs related to special needs, long-distance transportation costs for visitation, attendance at private schools, or gifted education programs.
For example, if the non-custodial parent is already paying 100% of a hefty private school tuition bill directly to the school, requiring them to pay the full standard support amount to the other parent might result in an unfair financial burden. A deviation helps balance these direct payments against the monthly transfer obligation.
The Deviation Process
Requesting a deviation is not as simple as asking the judge for a different number. It is a formal legal process that requires evidence.
First, you must complete the standard worksheets accurately. You cannot skip this step, as the court needs the baseline to compare against your request. Once the standard amount is established, you must explicitly request a deviation in your petition or response.
Second, you need to provide compelling reasons why the standard amount is unjust. This involves submitting financial declarations, proof of expenses, residential schedules, and other documentation that paints a clear picture of your financial landscape.
Third, the court must enter written findings of fact. If the judge agrees to your request, they must explain in the final order why the standard amount was inappropriate and how the new amount serves the best interests of the child.
Limitations on Deviations
While the court has discretion, that discretion is not unlimited. The paramount concern in every family law case is the well-being of the child. Therefore, a court will likely deny a deviation if it results in the receiving household having insufficient funds to meet the child’s basic needs.
Furthermore, the court examines the “income availability” of both households. If granting a deviation to the higher-earning parent would leave the lower-earning parent and the child in poverty, the deviation will almost certainly be rejected. The goal is to distribute resources in a way that protects the child’s standard of living in both homes, not to equalize the parents’ disposable income.
Partner with LaCoste Family Law
Family law is rarely black and white. The rigid numbers on a worksheet cannot always capture the nuance of your life, your career, or your relationship with your children. While the state provides a calculator, it does not know your story.
That is why professional legal guidance is essential when deviating from Washington State support worksheets. Arguing for a deviation requires a deep understanding of RCW 26.19 and the ability to present a factual, evidence-based argument that persuades a judge to step outside the standard guidelines.
If you believe the standard calculation does not fit your family’s situation, or if you need to defend against a deviation request that would harm your child’s financial security, we can help. When you partner with LaCoste Family Law, you get help from a child support lawyer in Washington State who understands the intricacies of the law and can provide a custom-tailored solution to protect your rights. We serve families throughout the Tri-Cities, focusing on Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland. Contact us to discuss your case today.