Experienced Everett Attorneys Ensuring Fair Child Support

At Berner Law Group, PLLC, we understand that your children’s well-being is your highest priority during a divorce or separation. We know that the financial aspect of raising children can be a significant source of stress, especially when you are trying to understand complex legal requirements.

Our compassionate child support attorneys, Jack Berner and L. Joshua Camp, bring several decades of combined experience to every case we handle. We proudly serve clients in Everett and throughout Snohomish County, providing the tenacious advocacy you need to protect your family’s future.

How Child Support Works In Washington

Calculating child support during a divorce or separation often feels like trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces. Many parents worry that the final amount will either be too high to manage or too low to meet their children’s needs.

This uncertainty often creates tension between parents and can lead to long-term financial instability for everyone involved. We help you identify the specific economic challenges your family faces so we can pursue a fair and sustainable amount.

Effective Jan. 1, 2026, Washington updated the formula to better reflect modern incomes, extending the standard economic table for families with a combined monthly net income up to $50,000. When you work with us, we look beyond the basic numbers to ensure the court has a complete picture of your financial situation.

We dig deep into your lifestyle details to make sure the final numbers reflect the life your children actually live. Our lawyers stand ready to translate your family’s unique needs into a legal strategy that resonates with the court.

How Does Washington Calculate Child Support?

The state uses the “Washington State Child Support Schedule” to set baseline payments. The schedule takes into account the combined monthly net income of both parents and the number and ages of the children. However, the law distinguishes between “standard” inputs and “discretionary” deviations.

The court first calculates a standard transfer payment by looking at:

• The combined monthly net income of both parents (covering up to $50,000/month)
• The number of children in the household and their respective ages
• Standard credits for things like mandatory pension contributions or industrial insurance
• Deductions for state-mandated insurance, such as WA Paid Family and Medical Leave

Once we establish the baseline, we can request a “deviation,” which allows the judge to deviate from the standard math if it doesn’t fit your reality. We advocate for adjustments based on:

• Extraordinary travel expenses required for visitation or residential time
• Special needs, including uninsured medical expenses or specialized educational costs
• Children from other relationships that you are already supporting financially
• Substantial wealth or high debt that makes the standard amount unfair to either party
• Significant residential time spent with the parent who pays support (residential credit)

These deviations are not automatic, so you must present a compelling case to the judge. We gather the necessary evidence to prove why a standard payment doesn’t work for your specific family dynamics.

Modifying Support Due To Changing Circumstances

Life does not stand still after a court issues a support order. A job loss, a promotion or a “significant change” in a child’s needs may require an adjustment. Washington law provides two main paths to change your order:

1. Substantial change in circumstances: You can petition for a modification at any time if you experience a major life shift, like a permanent disability or a significant salary increase.
2. The 24-month rule: If 24 months have passed since the court entered the order, you may request an adjustment without proving a “substantial change” if your income has changed or to align with the current state schedule.

The 2026 updates to the economic table may provide a new basis for modification if your combined income exceeds the old $12,000 cap. We also handle complex VA disability benefit cases. While Washington generally counts VA disability as income, the law strictly excludes “aid and attendant care” or “special medical compensation.”

We ensure the court applies these federal and state rules correctly so the calculation remains accurate. Whether you need to increase support due to rising costs or decrease it because of a change in your ability to pay, we provide the clear guidance you need.

Child Support Enforcement And Legal Protections

Even the fairest child support order is useless if the other parent refuses to pay. If you are struggling to receive the support the court ordered, we can assist with child support enforcement actions. We understand the various tools available to collect past-due support, including:

• Wage garnishment: Directing an employer to withhold support from a paycheck
• Property liens: Placing a legal claim against real estate or other assets
• License suspension: Working with the state to suspend drivers’ or professional licenses for nonpayment
• Contempt proceedings: Asking the court to find the other parent in violation of a court order

On the other hand, if you face unfair enforcement actions, we defend your rights. Our skilled child support attorneys ensure the state applies Washington laws correctly to your specific situation. We believe every parent deserves a fair process and a support order based on accurate, verified information.

We stay by your side through every step of the process, from the initial filing to final enforcement. Our firm provides the muscle needed to ensure the other parent takes their financial obligations seriously.

Child Support FAQ

We have provided answers below to the most common questions Everett parents ask regarding child support guidelines.

How Is Child Support Set?

In Washington, the court primarily sets child support using the state’s standard schedule, as outlined above, looking at your combined net income and the number of children.

As of 2026, the law also increases the “self-support reserve” to 180% of the federal poverty level, protecting lower-income parents from unaffordable payments.

Judges have the authority to “deviate” from this math for special circumstances, such as private school tuition or high health care costs.

How Do You File For Child Support In Washington?

You typically file as part of a divorce, legal separation or parentage case. To get an accurate number, you must submit:

• A “financial declaration” detailing your monthly budget
• The child support worksheets that show the state’s math
• Sealed financial source documents, which include two years of tax returns and six months of pay stubs

Failure to include these mandatory financial records can delay your case or lead the court to “impute” an income amount that does not reflect your actual earnings.

How Can An Attorney Help Ensure Your Child Support Order Is Fair?

A knowledgeable child support lawyer ensures all income sources are accurately reported, including bonuses, commissions and self-employment earnings. Your attorney identifies valid reasons for the court to deviate from the standard schedule, such as high debt or special child needs.

We advocate for a result that reflects your financial reality and covers your children’s actual cost of living. Meticulous legal guidance prevents simple clerical errors from turning into long-term financial burdens.

Contact An Everett Child Support Lawyer Today

If you face a child support dispute or need to modify an existing order in Snohomish County, our caring and experienced attorneys are here to help. We provide passionate advocacy by listening to your concerns and developing a strategy tailored to your family’s needs. Contact Berner Law Group, PLLC, at 425-523-1110 or use our online form to schedule your consultation. Let us help you build a secure future for your children.