Seattle Child Support Attorneys

Paying Child Support in Seattle, Washington

At our Seattle law firm, our attorneys encounter many individuals who have questions and concerns regarding child support payments.  From the initial determination of the child support payments to modifications that may become necessary at a later date, a Seattle child custody lawyer will be able to answer all you questions and provide you with exceptional representation. 

In Washington State, the Division of Child Support (DCS), a branch of the Department of Social and Health Services, is in charge of administering child support, so if you have been ordered to pay child support, this is who you will be dealing with when it comes to child support payments.  This agency will provide you with resources related to child support, and will also provide information to custodial parents.  This department will provide services such as paternity establishment, child support order establishment, child support modifications, child support enforcement, as well as child support payment processing.  Until the child turns eighteen or leaves the custodial parent’s household, the DCS will provides all child support related services and will be the agency to pursue any delinquent child support payments. 

Determining Child Support Amounts

Child support is used to pay for the ordinary expenses of raising a child.  Child support will help pay for the child’s basic necessities, including food, shelter, clothing, education and medical care.  In determining the amount of child support that will be necessary, the court will assess the needs and ages of the children, the financial ability of the non-custodial parent, the earning capacity of the custodial parent, and other financial aspects of the parent’s lives.  Court will rarely take into consideration special factors that may affect a parent’s ability to pay child support, so if any special circumstances exist that may make it difficult to pay child support, you will need a Seattle family lawyer to help voice and prove your special circumstances.

Contact a Seattle Child Custody Attorney today to discuss child support in more detail!