Seattle family law and Child Support

Under Seattle family law, parties seeking divorce of a marriage with children will be required to support those children through an Order of Child Support. Because one parent generally will be the primary residential parent, it is usually the non-residential parent who will make a transfer payment of child support to the residential parent. Child support is intended to be support for the children and is neither a punishment for the paying parent, nor a windfall for the receiving parent.



The Washington State legislature openly declares that the court shall consider all relevant factors when determining child support "without regard to misconduct". In other words, under Seattle family law , parental misconduct cannot be used to set child support.



However, Seattle family law does provide that the court shall consider the incomes of both parties to determine support. Again, the goal of child support is to provide for children, and that support shall come from the parents. There are other factors to consider, but they are somewhat complex and should be discussed with a Seattle family law attorney.



In any event, child support is not a fight over which parent is right. The parents jointly must support their children, even though one parent will pay support to the other.



The Seattle family law attorneys of McKinley Irvin are experts in child support. The law is complex because families are complex, and Washington family law attorneys must constantly strive to deepen their understanding. If you have questions or concerns about child support, contact a Seattle family law attorney at McKinley Irvin today. Our lawyers handle support cases of all kinds with insight, compassion, and tenacity.