Child Support Lawyers in Spokane
Working for Fair Financial Support in Eastern Washington
When a family transitions through divorce or separation, one of the most pressing concerns is giving the children the financial resources they need to thrive. Child support is not about winning or losing a legal battle; it is about having your child’s standard of living maintained and fully meeting their needs, from healthcare to education.
At Allen | Fischer, we understand that child support discussions can be a source of significant stress. Whether you are the parent seeking support to cover rising costs or the parent concerned about a fair and sustainable payment amount, we are here to provide clarity. Our mission is to help you reach a resolution that is legally sound, financially realistic, and focused on your children's well-being.
Book a confidential in-office or virtual case review with a Spokane child support attorney. Call (509) 262-3024 or reach us online today.
Our Child Support Representation
The calculations behind child support can be deceptively complex. Our firm acts as your advocate to provide final numbers that are based on accurate data and a true reflection of each parent's circumstances.
We help you by:
- Verifying income. We verify that all sources of income, including bonuses, commissions, and self-employment earnings, are accurately disclosed.
- Identifying deductions. We look for all applicable credits and deductions, such as taxes, mandatory retirement contributions, and support for children from other relationships.
- Negotiating extraordinary expenses. We help families navigate extra costs beyond basic support, such as private school tuition, extracurricular activities, and uninsured medical expenses.
Understanding Washington State Guidelines
Washington uses a "standard income shares" model to determine child support. The court has issued the Washington State Child Support Schedule, a standardized grid that estimates how much parents would have spent on their children if they had remained in the same household.
The court primarily considers:
- The combined monthly net income of both parents
- The number and ages of the children
- The specific needs of the child, including healthcare premiums and daycare costs
While the state provides a standard table, the court has discretion to deviate from that amount in specific circumstances. Examples include when a parent spends significant time with the child or when extraordinary financial hardships occur. We work to argue properly and document deviations that are appropriate in your case.
Modifications & Enforcement: Adapting to Change
Child support orders are not “set it and forget it” documents. As children grow and parents' careers evolve, the original order may no longer be fair or functional.
Modifications
In Washington, you can generally request a modification if you have had a substantial change in circumstances. This might include:
- A significant increase or decrease in either parent's income.
- A change in the child’s needs (such as a new medical diagnosis or starting college).
- A change in the parenting plan that shifts where the child spends most of their time.
Without going through the courts, any modifications co-parents make are legally unenforceable.
