WASHINGTON STATE

CHILD SUPPORT SCHEDULE

Including:

·       Definitions and Standards

·       Instructions

·       Economic Table

·       Worksheets

Effective Dates:

Definitions & Standards                                                June 10, 2010

Instructions                                                                    June 10, 2010

Economic Table                                                          October 1, 2009

Worksheets                                                                    June 10, 2010

Worksheets – RDP                                                        June 10, 2010

            Order forms--voice mail telephone number                           (360) 705-5328

            Internet--download forms:                                  http://www.courts.wa.gov/

            Questions about the Instructions or Worksheets?    Contact:  Merrie Gough

            Tel. (360) 357-2128                                                         Fax (360) 956-5794

            E-mail merrie.gough@courts.wa.gov  or                   webmaster@courts.wa.gov

Definitions

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, these definitions apply to the standards following this section.  RCW 26.19.011.

Basic child support obligation: means the monthly child support obligation determined from the economic table based on the parties’ combined monthly net income and the number of children for whom support is owed.

Child support schedule: means the standards, economic table,    worksheets and instructions, as defined in chapter 26.19 RCW.

Court:  means a superior court judge, court commissioner, and presiding and reviewing officers who administratively determine or enforce child support orders.

Deviation:  means a child support amount that differs from the standard calculation.

Economic table:  means the child support table for the basic support obligation provided in RCW 26.19.020.

Instructions:  means the instructions developed by the Administrative Office of the Courts pursuant to RCW 26.19.050 for use in completing the worksheets.

Standards:  means the standards for determination of child support as provided in chapter 26.19 RCW.

Standard calculation:  means the presumptive amount of child support owed as determined from the child support schedule before the court considers any reasons for deviation.

Support transfer payment:  means the amount of money the court orders one parent to pay to another parent or custodian for child support after determination of the standard calculation and deviations.  If certain expenses or credits are expected to fluctuate and the order states a formula or percentage to determine the additional amount or credit on an ongoing basis, the term “support transfer payment” does not mean the additional amount or credit.

Worksheets: means the forms developed by the Administrative Office of the Courts pursuant to RCW 26.19.050 for use in determining the amount of child support.

Application Standards

1.         Application of the support schedule:  The child support schedule shall be applied:

            a.         in each county of the state;

            b.         in judicial and administrative proceedings under titles 13, 26 and 74 RCW;

            c.         in all proceedings in which child support is determined or modified;

            d.         in setting temporary and permanent support;

            e.         in automatic modification provisions or decrees entered pursuant to RCW 26.09.100; and

            f.          in addition to proceedings in which child support is

                        determined for minors, to adult children who are dependent on their parents and for whom support is ordered pursuant to RCW 26.09.100.

            The provisions of RCW 26.19 for determining child support and reasons for deviation from the standard calculation shall be applied in the same manner by the court, presiding officers and reviewing officers.  RCW 26.19.035(1).

2.         Written findings of fact supported by the evidence:  An order for child support shall be supported by written findings of fact upon which the support determination is based and shall include reasons for any deviation from the standard calculation and reasons for denial of a party’s request for deviation from the standard calculation.  RCW 26.19.035(2).

3.         Completion of worksheets:  Worksheets in the form developed by the Administrative Office of the Courts shall be completed under penalty of perjury and filed in every proceeding in which child support is determined.  The court shall not accept incomplete worksheets or worksheets that vary from the worksheets developed by the Administrative Office of the Courts. RCW 26.19.035(3).

4.         Court review of the worksheets and order:  The court shall review the worksheets and the order setting child support for the adequacy of the reasons set forth for any deviation or denial of any request for deviation and for the adequacy of the amount of support ordered.  Each order shall state the amount of child support calculated using the standard calculation and the amount of child support actually ordered.  Worksheets shall be attached to the decree or order or if filed separately, shall be initialed or signed by the judge and filed with the order.  RCW 26.19.035(4).

Income Standards

1.         Consideration of all income:  All income and resources of each parent’s household shall be disclosed and considered by the court when the court determines the child support obligation of each parent.  Only the income of the parents of the children whose support is at issue shall be calculated for purposes of calculating the basic support obligation.  Income and resources of any other person shall not be included in calculating the basic support obligation. RCW 26.19.071(1).

2.         Verification of income:  Tax returns for the preceding two years and current paystubs shall be provided to verify income and deductions.  Other sufficient verification shall be required for income and deductions which do not appear on tax returns or paystubs. RCW 26.19.071(2).

3.         Income sources included in gross monthly income:  Monthly gross income shall include income from any source, including: salaries; wages; commissions; deferred compensation; overtime, except as excluded from income in RCW 26.19.071(4)(h); contract-related benefits; income from second jobs except as excluded from income in RCW 26.19.071(4)(h); dividends; interest; trust income; severance pay; annuities; capital gains; pension retirement benefits; workers’ compensation; unemployment benefits; maintenance actually received; bonuses; social security benefits; disability insurance benefits;

            and income from self-employment, rent, royalties, contracts, proprietorship of a business, or joint ownership of a partnership or closely held corporation.  RCW 26.19.071(3).

Veterans’ disability pensions:  Veterans’ disability pensions or regular compensation for disability incurred in or aggravated by service in the United States armed forces paid by the Veterans’ Administration shall be disclosed to the court.  The court may consider either type of compensation as disposable income for purposes of calculating the child support obligation.  See RCW 26.19.045.

4.         Income sources excluded from gross monthly income:  The following income and resources shall be disclosed but shall not be included in gross income:  income of a new spouse or domestic partner or income of other adults in the household; child support received from other relationships; gifts and prizes; temporary assistance for needy families; Supplemental Security Income; general assistance; food stamps; and overtime or income from second jobs beyond forty hours per week averaged over a twelve-month period worked to provide for a current family’s needs, to retire past relationship debts, or to retire child support debt, when the court finds the income will cease when the party has paid off his or her debts.  Receipt of income and resources from temporary assistance for needy families, Supplemental Security Income, general assistance and food stamps shall not be a reason to deviate from the standard calculation.  RCW 26.19.071(4).

            VA aid and attendant care:  Aid and attendant care payments to prevent hospitalization paid by the Veterans Administration solely to provide physical home care for a disabled veteran, and special compensation paid under 38 U.S.C. Sec. 314(k) through (r) to provide either special care or special aids, or both to assist with routine daily functions shall be disclosed.  The court may not include either aid or attendant care or special medical compensation payments in gross income for purposes of calculating the child support obligation or for purposes of deviating from the standard calculation.  See RCW 26.19.045.

            Other aid and attendant care:  Payments from any source, other than veterans’ aid and attendance allowance or special medical compensation paid under 38 U.S.C. Sec. 314(k) through (r) for services provided by an attendant in case of a disability when the disability necessitates the hiring of the services or an attendant shall be disclosed but shall not be included in gross income and shall not be a reason to deviate from the standard calculation.  RCW 26.19.055.

5.         Determination of net income:  The following expenses shall be disclosed and deducted from gross monthly income to calculate net monthly income:  federal and state income taxes (see the following paragraph); federal insurance contributions act deductions (FICA); mandatory pension plan payments; mandatory union or professional dues; state industrial insurance premiums; court-ordered maintenance to the extent actually paid; up to five thousand dollars per year in voluntary  retirement contributions actually made if the contributions show a pattern of contributions during the one-year period preceding the action establishing the child support order unless there is a determination that the contributions were made for the purpose of reducing child support; and normal business expenses and self-employment taxes for self-employed persons.  Justification shall be required for any business expense deduction about

which there is a disagreement.  Items deducted from gross income shall not be a reason to deviate from the standard calculation.  RCW 26.19.071(5).

Allocation of tax exemptions:  The parties may agree which parent is entitled to claim the child or children as dependents for federal income tax exemptions.  The court may award the exemption or exemptions and order a party to sign the federal income tax dependency exemption waiver.  The court may divide the exemptions between the parties, alternate the exemptions between the parties or both.  RCW 26.19.100.

6.         Imputation of income:  The court shall impute income to a parent when the parent is voluntarily unemployed or voluntarily underemployed.  The court shall determine whether the parent is voluntarily underemployed or voluntarily unemployed based upon that parent’s work history, education, health and age or any other relevant factors.  A court shall not impute income to a parent who is gainfully employed on a full-time basis, unless the court finds that the parent is voluntarily underemployed and finds that the parent is purposely underemployed to reduce the parent’s child support obligation.  Income shall not be imputed for an unemployable parent.  Income shall not be imputed to a parent to the extent the parent is unemployed or significantly underemployed due to the parent’s efforts to comply with court-ordered reunification efforts under chapter 13.34 RCW or under a voluntary placement agreement with an agency supervising the child. In the absence of records of a parent’s actual earnings, the court shall impute a parent’s income in the following order of priority:

(a)  Full-time earnings at the current rate of pay;

(b)  Full-time earnings at the historical rate of pay based on reliable information, such as employment security department data;

(c)  Full-time earnings at a past rate of pay where information is incomplete or sporadic;

(d)  Full-time earnings at minimum wage in the jurisdiction where the parent resides if the parent has a recent history of minimum wage earnings, is recently coming off public assistance, general assistance-unemployable, supplemental security income, or disability, has recently been released from incarceration, or is a high school student;

(e)  Median net monthly income of year-round full-time workers as derived from the United States bureau of census, current population reports, or such replacement report as published by the bureau of census.  (See “Approximate Median Net Monthly Income” table on page 6.)

RCW 26.19.071(6).

Allocation Standards

1.         Basic child support:  The basic child support obligation derived from the economic table shall be allocated between the parents based on each parent’s share of the combined monthly net income.  RCW 26.19.080(1).

2.         Health care expenses:  Health care costs are not included in the economic table.  Monthly health care costs shall be shared by the parents in the same proportion as the basic support obligation. Health care costs shall include, but not be limited to, medical,

dental, orthodontia, vision, chiropractic, mental health treatment, prescription medications, and other similar costs for care and treatment.  RCW 26.19.080(2).

3.         Day care and special child rearing expenses:  Day care and special child rearing expenses, such as tuition and long distance transportation costs to and from the parents for visitation purposes, are not included in the economic table.  These expenses shall be shared by the parents in the same proportion as the basic child support obligation.  RCW 26.19.080(3).

4.         The court may exercise its discretion to determine the necessity for and the reasonableness of all amounts ordered in excess of the basic child support obligation.  RCW 26.19.080(4).

            Limitations Standards

1.         Limit at 45 percent of a parent’s net income: 

            Neither parent’s child support obligation owed for all his or her biological or legal children may exceed 45 percent of net income except for good cause shown. 

a.        Each child is entitled to a pro rata share of the income available for support, but the court only applies the pro rata share to the children in the case before the court.

b.        Before determining whether to apply the 45 percent limitation, the court must consider the best interests of the child(ren) and the circumstances of each parent.  Such circumstances include, but are not limited to, leaving insufficient funds in the custodial parent’s household to meet the basic needs of the child(ren), comparative hardship to the affected households, assets or liabilities, and any involuntary limits on either parent’s earning capacity including incarceration, disabilities, or incapacity.

c.        Good cause includes, but is not limited to, possession of substantial wealth, child(ren) with day care expenses, special medical need, educational need, psychological need, and larger families.  RCW 26.19.065(1).

2.         Presumptive minimum support obligation:  When a parent’s monthly net income is below 125% of the federal poverty guideline, a support order of not less than fifty dollars per child per month shall be entered unless the obligor parent establishes that it would be unjust to do so in that particular case.  The decision whether there is a sufficient basis to go below the presumptive minimum payment must take into consideration the best interests of the child(ren) and circumstances of each parent.  Such circumstances can include leaving insufficient funds in the custodial parent’s household to meet the basic needs of the child(ren), comparative hardship to the affected households, assets or liabilities, and earning capacity.  RCW 26.19.065(2)(a).

3.         Self-support reserve:  The basic support obligation of the parent making the transfer payment, excluding health care, day care, and special child-rearing expenses, shall not reduce his or her net income below the self-support reserve of 125% of the federal poverty level, except for the presumptive minimum payment of fifty dollars per child per month or when it would be unjust to apply the self-support reserve limitation after considering the best interests of the child(ren) and the circumstances of each parent.  Such circumstances include, but are not limited to,

leaving insufficient funds in the custodial parent’s household to meet the basic needs of the child(ren), comparative hardship to the affected households, assets or liabilities, and earning capacity.  This section shall not be construed to require monthly substantiation of income.  (See the Self-Support Reserve memorandum on the courts’ website www.courts.wa.gov/forms and at www.WashingtonLawHelp.org.)  RCW 26.19.065(2)(b).

4.         Income above twelve thousand dollars: The economic table is presumptive for combined monthly net incomes up to and including twelve thousand dollars.  When combined monthly net income exceeds twelve thousand dollars, the court may exceed the maximum presumptive amount of support upon written findings of fact.  RCW 26.19.065(3).

Deviation Standards

1.         Reasons for deviation from the standard calculation include but are not limited to the following:

            a.     Sources of income and tax planning:  The court may deviate from the standard calculation after consideration of the following:

                    i.      Income of a new spouse or new domestic partner if the parent who is married to the new spouse or the parent who is in a domestic partnership with the new domestic partner is asking for a deviation based on any other reason.  Income of a new spouse or domestic partner is not, by itself, a sufficient reason for deviation;

                    ii.     Income of other adults in the household if the parent who is living with the other adult is asking for a deviation based on any other reason.  Income of the other adults in the household is not, by itself, a sufficient reason for deviation;

                    iii.    Child support actually received from other relationships;

                    iv.    Gifts;

v.     Prizes;

vi.    Possession of wealth, including but not limited to savings, investments, real estate holdings and business interests, vehicles, boats, pensions, bank accounts, insurance plans or other assets;

                    vii.   Extraordinary income of a child; or

                    viii.  Tax planning considerations.  A deviation for tax planning may be granted only if child(ren) would not receive a lesser economic benefit due to the tax planning;

                    ix.    Income that has been excluded under RCW 26.19.071(4)(h) if the person earning that income asks for a deviation for any other reason.

RCW 26.19.075(1)(a)

b.     Nonrecurring income:  The court may deviate from the standard calculation based on a finding that a particular source of income included in the calculation of the basic support obligation is not a recurring source of income.  Depending on the circumstances, nonrecurring income may include overtime, contract-related benefits, bonuses or income from second jobs.  Deviations for nonrecurring income shall be based on a review of the nonrecurring income received in the previous two calendar years. 
RCW 26.19.075(1)(b).

            c.     Debt and high expenses:  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 child(ren); or

                    iv.    Special medical, educational or psychological needs of the child(ren).

                    v.     Costs anticipated to be incurred by the parents in compliance with court-ordered reunification efforts under chapter 13.34 RCW or under a voluntary placement agreement with an agency supervising the child.  RCW 26.19.075(1)(c).

            d.     Residential schedule:  The court may deviate from the standard calculation if the child(ren) spend(s) a significant amount of time with the parent who is obligated to make a support transfer payment.  The court may not deviate on that basis if the deviation will result in insufficient funds in the household receiving the support to meet the basic needs of the child or if the child is receiving temporary assistance for needy families.  When determining the amount of the deviation, the court shall consider evidence concerning the increased expenses to a parent making support transfer payments resulting from the significant amount of time spent with that parent and shall consider the decreased expenses, if any, to the party receiving the support resulting from the significant amount of time the child spends with the parent making the support transfer payment.
 RCW 26.19.075(1)(d).

            e.     Children from other relationships:  The court may deviate from the standard calculation when either or both of the parents before the court have children from other relationships to whom the parent owes a duty of support.

                    i.      The child support schedule shall be applied to the parents and children of the family before the court to determine the presumptive amount of support.

                    ii.     Children from other relationships shall not be counted in the number of children for purposes of determining the basic support obligation and the standard calculation.

                    iii.    When considering a deviation from the standard calculation for children from other relationships, the court may consider only other children to whom the parent owes a duty of support.  The court may consider court-ordered payments of child support for children from other relationships only to the extent that the support is actually paid.

                    iv.    When the court has determined that either or both parents have children from other relationships, deviations under this section shall be based on consideration of the total circumstances of both households.  All child support obligations paid, received, and owed for all children shall be disclosed and considered.  RCW 26.19.075(1)(e).

2.         All income and resources of the parties before the court, new spouses or domestic partners, and other adults in the household shall be disclosed and considered as provided.  The presumptive amount of support shall be determined according to the child support schedule.  Unless specific reasons for deviation are set forth in the written findings of fact and are supported by the evidence, the court shall order each parent to pay the amount of support determined by using the standard calculation. 
RCW 26.19.075(2).

3.         The court shall enter findings that specify reasons for any deviation or any denial of a party’s request for any deviation from the standard calculation made by the court.  The court shall not consider reasons for deviation until the court determines the standard calculation for each parent.  RCW 26.19.075(3).

4.         When reasons exist for deviation, the court shall exercise discretion in considering the extent to which the factors would affect the support obligation.  RCW 26.19.075(4).

5.         Agreement of the parties is not by itself adequate reason for any deviations from the standard calculations.  RCW 26.19.075(5).

Post-Secondary Education Standards

1.         The child support schedule shall be advisory and not mandatory for post-secondary educational support.  RCW 26.19.090(1)

2.         When considering whether to order support for post-secondary educational expenses, the court shall determine whether the child is in fact dependent and is relying upon the parents for the reasonable necessities of life.  The court shall exercise its discretion when determining whether and for how long to award post-secondary educational support based upon consideration of factors that include but are not limited to the following:  age of the child; the child’s needs; the expectations of the parties for their child(ren) when the parents were together; the child(ren)’s prospects, desires, aptitudes, abilities or disabilities; the nature of the post-secondary education sought and the parent’s level of education, standard of living and current and future resources.  Also to be considered are the amount and type of support that the child would have been afforded if the parents had stayed together.  RCW 26.19.090(2).

3.         The child must enroll in an accredited academic or vocational school, must be actively pursuing a course of study commensurate with the child’s vocational goals and must be in good academic standing as defined by the institution.  The court-ordered post-secondary educational support shall be automatically suspended during the period or periods the child fails to comply with these conditions.  RCW 26.19.090(3).

4.         The child shall also make available all academic records and grades to both parents as a condition of receiving post-secondary educational support.  Each parent shall have full and equal access to the post-secondary education records as provided by statute (RCW 26.09.225).  RCW 26.19.090(4).

5.         The court shall not order the payment of post-secondary educational expenses beyond the child’s twenty-third birthday, except for exceptional circumstances, such as mental, physical or emotional disabilities.  RCW 26.19.090(5).

6.         The court shall direct that either or both parents’ payments for post-secondary educational expenses are made directly to the educational institution if feasible.  If direct payments are not feasible, then the court in its discretion may order that either or both parents’ payments are made directly to the child if the child does not reside with either parent.  If the child resides with one of the parents, the court may direct that the parent making the support transfer payments make the payments to the child or to the parent who has been receiving the support transfer payments.  RCW 26.19.090(6).

Child Support Order Summary Report:

Fill out the Child Support Order Summary Report only if you are also submitting a temporary or a final child support order to be signed by a judicial or reviewing officer.

Worksheets:

Fill in the names and ages of only those children whose support is at issue.

Part I: Basic Child Support Obligation

Pursuant to INCOME STANDARD #1: Consideration of all income, “only the income of the parents of the child(ren) whose support is at issue shall be calculated for purposes of calculating the basic support obligation.” (See page 1.)

Pursuant to INCOME STANDARD #2: Verification of income, “tax returns for the preceding two years and current paystubs are required for income verification purposes. Other sufficient verification shall be required for income and deductions which do not appear on tax returns or paystubs.” (See page 1.)

Gross Monthly Income

Gross monthly income is defined under INCOME STANDARD #3: Income sources included in gross monthly income. (See page 1.)

Income exclusions are defined under INCOME STANDARD #4: Income sources excluded from gross monthly income. (See page 2.) Excluded income must be disclosed and listed in Part VIII of the worksheets.

Monthly Average of Income:

·         If income varies during the year, divide the annual total of the income by 12.

·         If paid weekly, multiply the weekly income by 52 and divide by 12.

·         If paid every other week, multiply the two-week income by 26 and divide by 12.

·         If paid twice a month (bi-monthly), multiply the bi-monthly income by 24 and divide by 12.

 LINE 1a, Wages and Salaries:  Enter the average monthly total of all salaries, wages, contract-related benefits, bonuses, and income from overtime and second jobs that is not excluded from income by RCW 26.19.071(4)(h).

LINE 1b, Interest and Dividend Income:  Enter the average monthly total of dividends and interest income.

LINE 1c, Business Income:  Enter the average monthly income from self-employment, rent, royalties, contracts, proprietorship of a business, or joint ownership of a partnership or closely held corporation.

LINE 1d, Maintenance Received:  Enter the monthly amount of maintenance actually received.

LINE 1e, Other Income:  Enter the average monthly total of other income. (Other income includes, but is not limited to: trust income, severance pay, annuities, capital gains, pension retirement benefits, workers compensation, unemployment benefits, social security benefits and disability insurance benefits.)

LINE 1f, Imputed Income: Enter the imputed gross monthly income for a parent who is voluntarily unemployed, underemployed or if you do not have records of a parent’s actual earnings. Refer to “INCOME STANDARD #6: Imputation of income.” (See page 2.) Impute income using the first method possible based on the information you have in the following order:

Calculate full-time earnings using either:

1.       Current rate of pay;

2.       Historical rate of pay based on reliable information;

3.       Past rate of pay, if current information is incomplete or sporadic; or

4.       Minimum wage where the parent lives when the parent has a history of minimum wage or government assistance is recently released from incarceration or is a high school student.

Historical rate of pay information may be available from the Division of Child Support.  Use form 18-701: “Request for Income Information for Purposes of Entering a Child Support Order”, available online at: http://www.dshs.wa.gov/dcs/Resources/Forms.asp

If you impute income using one of the four methods, above, enter the amount in line 1f.  Also, in line 26 of the Worksheets, explain which method you used to impute income and how you calculated the amount of imputed income.

If you cannot use any of the above methods, impute the parent’s net monthly income using the table below, and enter the appropriate amount for the parent’s age and gender on line 1f and on line 3.  The table, below, shows net income, after deductions.  So if you impute using this table, you will not enter any deductions on the worksheet under line 2.  Leave lines 2a through 2i blank.  For this parent, go to line 4.  Also, in line 26 of the Worksheets, explain that net income was imputed using the Approximate Median Net Monthly Income Table.

Approximate Median Net Monthly Income

MALE          age        FEMALE

$1,832    15-24    $1,632

$2,804    25-34    $2,446

$3,448    35-44    $2,693

$3,569    45-54    $2,714

$3,735    55-64    $2,814

$4,084    65 +      $2,960

U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, 2009 Annual Social and Economic Supplement, Table PINC-01. Selected Characteristics of People 15 Years Old and Over by Total Money Income in 2008, Work Experience in 2008, Race, Hispanic Origin, and Sex, Worked Full Time, Year Round.

[Net income has been determined by subtracting FICA (7.65 percent) and the tax liability for a single person (one withholding allowance).]

LINE 1g, Total Gross Monthly Income:  Add the monthly income amounts for each parent (lines 1a through 1f) and enter the totals on line 1g.

Monthly Deductions from Gross Income

Allowable monthly deductions from gross income are defined under INCOME STANDARD #5: Determination of net income. (See page 2.)

Monthly Average of Deductions: If a deduction is annual or varies during the year, divide the annual total of the deduction by 12 to determine a monthly amount.

LINE 2a, Income Taxes:  Enter the monthly amount actually owed for state and federal income taxes. (The amount of income tax withheld on a paycheck may not be the actual amount of income tax owed due to tax refund, etc. It is appropriate to consider tax returns from prior years as indicating the actual amount of income tax owed if income has not changed.)

LINE 2b, FICA/Self Employment Taxes:  Enter the total monthly amount of FICA, Social Security, Medicare and Self-employment taxes owed.

LINE 2c, State Industrial Insurance Deductions:  Enter the monthly amount of state industrial insurance deductions.

LINE 2d, Mandatory Union/Professional Dues:  Enter the monthly cost of mandatory union or professional dues.

LINE 2e, Mandatory Pension Plan Payments:   Enter the monthly cost of mandatory pension plan payments amount. 

LINE 6, Proportional Share of Income:  Divide the monthly net income for each parent (line 3) by the combined monthly net income (line 4) and enter these amounts on line 6. (The entries on line 6 when added together should equal 1.00.)

Part II:  Basic Child Support Obligation

LINE 7, Each Parent’s Basic Child Support Obligation without consideration of low income limitations:  Multiply the total basic child support obligation (amount in box on line 5) by the income share proportion for each parent (line 6) and enter these amounts on line 7. (The amounts entered on line 7 added together should equal the amount entered on line 5.)

LINE 8, Calculating low income limitations:  Fill in only those that apply:

To calculate the low-income limitation standards in lines 8b and 8c, you will need to know the self-support reserve amount, which is 125 % of the current federal poverty guideline.  As of February 2009, self-support reserve is $1,128.  The guideline and self-support reserve change roughly annually.  To check the current self-support reserve amount go to the courts’ web site at:  www.courts.wa.gov, or go to www.WashingtonLawHelp.org.  Enter the self-support reserve amount in the space provided in line 8.  (For more information, see Limitation Standard #2 on page 3 of the Definitions and Standards.)

8a.  Is combined net income less than $1,000?  If combined net monthly income on line 4 is less than $1,000, enter each parent’s presumptive support obligation of $50 per child.  Do not enter an amount on line 8a if combined income on line 4 is more than $1,000.

8b.  Is monthly net income less than self-support reserve?  For each parent whose monthly net income on line 3 is less than the self support reserve, enter the parent’s presumptive support obligation of $50 per child. Do not use this box for a parent whose net income on line 3 is greater than the self-support reserve.

8c.  Is monthly net income greater than self-support reserve?  Subtract the self-support reserve from line 3 and enter this amount or enter $50 per child whichever is greater. Do not use this box if the amount is greater than the amount in line 7.

LINE 9, Each parent’s basic child support obligation after calculating applicable limitations:  For each parent, enter the lowest amount from line 7, 8a – 8c, but not less than the presumptive $50 per child.

LINE 11d, Other Special Expenses:  Identify any other special expenses and enter the average monthly cost of each.

LINE 11e, Total Day Care and Special Expenses:  Add the monthly expenses for each parent (lines 11a through 11d) and enter these totals on line 11e.

LINE 12, Combined Monthly Total of Day Care and Special Expenses: Add the parents’ total expenses (line 11e) and enter this total on line 12.

LINE 13, Total Health Care, Day Care and Special Expenses:  Add the health care expenses (line 10d) to the combined monthly total of day care and special expenses (line 12) and enter this amount on line 13.

LINE 14, Each Parent’s Obligation For Health Care, Day Care And Special Expenses:  Multiply the total health care, day care, and special expense amount (line 13) by the income proportion for each parent (line 6) and enter these amounts on line 14.

LINE 15, Gross Child Support Obligation:  For each parent, add the basic child support obligation (line 9) to the obligation for extraordinary health care, day care and special expenses (line 14). Enter these amounts on line 15.

Part V:  Child Support Credits

Child support credits are provided in cases where parents make direct payments to third parties for the cost of goods and services which are included in the standard calculation support obligation (e.g., payments to an insurance company or a day care provider).

LINE 16a, Monthly Health Care Expenses Credit:  Enter the total monthly health care expenses amounts from line 10c for each parent.

LINE 16b, Day Care And Special Expenses Credit:  Enter the total day care and special expenses amounts from line 11e for each parent.

LINE 16c, Other Ordinary Expense Credit:  If approval of another ordinary expense credit is being requested, in the space provided, specify the expense and enter the average monthly cost in the column of the parent to receive the credit.  (It is generally assumed that ordinary expenses are paid in accordance with the child(ren)’s residence. If payment of a specific ordinary expense does not follow this assumption, the parent paying for this expense may request approval of an ordinary expense credit. This credit is discretionary with the court.)

LINE 16d, Total Support Credits:  For each parent, add the entries on lines 16 a through c and enter the totals on line 16d.

LINE2f, Voluntary Retirement Contributions: Enter the monthly cost of voluntary Retirement Contributions.  Divide the amount of the voluntary retirement contribution, up to $5,000 per year, by 12 to calculate the monthly cost.   (For more information regarding limitations on the allowable deduction of voluntary retirement contributions, refer to INCOME STANDARD #5: Determination of net income.  See page 2.)

LINE 2g, Maintenance Paid:  Enter the monthly amount of maintenance actually paid pursuant to a court order.

LINE 2h, Normal Business Expenses:  If self-employed, enter the amount of normal business expenses.   (Pursuant to INCOME STANDARD #5: Determination of net income,

“justification shall be required for any business expense deduction about which there is a disagreement.” See page 2.)

LINE 2i, Total Deductions From Gross Income:  Add the monthly deductions for each parent (lines 2a through 2h) and enter the totals on line 2i.

LINE 3, Monthly Net Income:  For each parent, subtract total deductions (line 2i) from total gross monthly income (line 1g) and enter these amounts on line 3.

LINE 4, Combined Monthly Net Income:  Add the parents’ monthly net incomes (line 3) and enter the total on line 4.

LINE 5, Basic Child Support Obligation:  In the work area provided on line 5, enter the basic support obligation amount determined for each child. Add these amounts together and enter the total in the box on line 5. (To determine a per child basic support obligation, see the following economic table instructions.)

Economic Table Instructions

To use the Economic Table to determine an individual support amount for each child:

·         Locate in the left-hand column the combined monthly net income amount closest to the amount entered on line 4 of Worksheet (round up when the combined monthly net income falls halfway between the two amounts in the left-hand column);

·         Locate on the top row the family size for the number of children for whom child support is being determined (when determining family size for the required worksheets, do not include child(ren) from other relationships); and

·         circle the two numbers in the columns listed below the family size that are across from the net income. The amount in the “A” column is the basic support amount for a child up to age 11.  The amount in the “B” column is the basic support amount for a child 12 years of age or older.

Part III:  Health Care, Day Care, and Special Child Rearing Expenses

Pursuant to ALLOCATION STANDARD #4: “the court may exercise its discretion to determine the necessity for and the reasonableness of all amounts ordered in excess of the basic child support obligation.” (See page 2.)

Pursuant to ALLOCATION STANDARD #2: Health care expenses and #3: Day care and special child rearing expenses, health care, day care, and special child rearing expenses shall be shared by the parents in the same proportion as the basic support obligation. (See page 2.)   NOTE: The court order should reflect that health care, day care and special child rearing expenses not listed should be apportioned by the same percentage as the basic child support obligation.

Monthly Average of Expenses: If a health care, day care, or special child rearing expense is annual or varies during the year, divide the annual total of the expense by 12 to determine a monthly amount.

Health Care Expenses

LINE 10a, Monthly Health Insurance Premiums Paid For Child(ren):  List the monthly amount paid by each parent for health care insurance for the child(ren) of the relationship. (When determining an insurance premium amount, do not include the portion of the premium paid by an employer or other third party and/or the portion of the premium that covers the parent or other household members.)

LINE 10b, Uninsured Monthly Health Care Expenses Paid For Child(ren):  List the monthly amount paid by each parent for the child(ren)’s health care expenses not reimbursed by insurance.

LINE 10c, Total Monthly Health Care Expenses:  For each parent add the health insurance premium payments (line 10a) to the uninsured health care payments (line 10b) and enter these amounts on line 10c.

LINE 10d, Combined Monthly Health Care Expenses:  Add the parents’ total health care payments (line 10c) and enter this amount on line 10d.

Day Care and Special Child Rearing Expenses

LINE 11a, Day Care Expenses:  Enter average monthly day care costs.

LINE 11b, Education Expenses:  Enter the average monthly costs of tuition and other related educational expenses.  

LINE 11c, Long Distance Transportation Expenses:  Enter the average monthly costs of long distance travel incurred pursuant to the residential or visitation schedule.

Part VI:  Standard Calculation/Presumptive Transfer Payment

LINE 17, For Each Parent: subtract the total support credits (line 16d) from the gross child support obligation (line 15) and enter the resulting amounts on line 17.  If the amount is less than $50 per child for either parent, then enter the presumptive minimum support obligation of $50 per child, instead of the lower amount.

Part VII:  Additional Informational Calculations

LINE 18, 45% of Each Parent’s Net Income From Line 3:  For each parent, multiply line 3 by .45. Refer to LIMITATIONS Standards #1:  Limit at 45% of a parent’s net income.

LINE 19, 25% of Each Parent’s Basic Support Obligation from Line 9:  For each parent, multiply line 9 by .25. 

Part VIII:  Additional Factors for Consideration

Pursuant to INCOME STANDARD #1: Consideration of all income: “all income and resources of each parent’s household shall be disclosed and considered by the court when the court determines the child support obligation of each parent.” (See page 1.)

LINE 20 a-h, Household Assets:  Enter the estimated present value of assets of the household.

LINE 21, Household Debt:  Describe and enter the amount of liens against assets owned by the household and/or any extraordinary debt.

Other Household Income

LINE 22a, Income of Current Spouse or Domestic Partner:  If a parent is currently married to or in a domestic partnership with someone other than the parent of the child(ren) for whom support is being determined, list the name and enter the income of the present spouse or domestic partner.

LINE 22b, Income of Other Adults In The Household:  List the names and enter the incomes of other adults residing in the household.

LINE 22c, Gross income from overtime or from second jobs the party is asking the court to exclude per INCOME STANDARD #4, Income sources excluded from gross monthly income (see page 2).

LINE 22d, Income of Children:  If the amount is considered to be extraordinary, list the name and enter the income of children residing in the home.

LINE 22e, Income from Child Support:  List the name of the child(ren) for whom support is received and enter the amount of the support income. Do not include the child(ren) for whom support is being determined.

LINE 22f, Income from Assistance Programs:  List the program and enter the amount of any income received from assistance programs. (Assistance programs include, but are not limited to: temporary assistance for needy families, SSI, general assistance, food stamps and aid and attendance allowances.)

LINE 22g, Other Income:  Describe and enter the amount of any other income of the household.  (Include income from gifts and prizes on this line.)

LINE 23, Nonrecurring Income:  Describe and enter the amount of any income included in the calculation of gross income (LINE 1g) which is nonrecurring.  (Pursuant to DEVIATION STANDARD #1b: Nonrecurring income, “depending on the circumstances, nonrecurring income may include overtime, contract-related benefits, bonuses or income from second jobs.”  See page 3.)

LINE 24, Child Support Owed, Monthly, for Biological or Legal Child(ren).  List the names and ages and enter the amount of child support owed for other children, (not the children for whom support is being determined). Is the support paid? Check [ ] Yes or [ ] No.

LINE 25, Other Child(ren) Living in Each Household:  List the names and ages of children, other than those for whom support is being determined, who are living in each household.

LINE 26, Other Factors For Consideration:  In the space provided list any other factors that should be considered in determining the child support obligation.  (For information regarding other factors for consideration, refer to DEVIATION STANDARDS.  See page 3.)  Also use this space to explain how you calculated the income and deductions in lines 1 and 2.

Nonparental Custody Cases:  When the children do not reside with either parent, the household income and resources of the children’s custodian(s) should be listed on line 26.