(1) The Washington State child support schedule (WSCSS) provides two limitations based on income, the 45% limitation and the self-support reserve. The division of child support (DCS) applies these limitations when we calculate your child support obligation. These limitations do not apply to child support arrears, or to the enforcement of your child support obligation.
(a) Your basic child support obligation for all of your biological or legal children cannot exceed 45% of your monthly net income, unless there are special circumstances as provided in chapter 26.19 RCW. When the 45% limitation applies, DCS calculates your support obligation in a way that gives each child an equal share of the income.
(b) The monthly basic child support obligation cannot reduce your net monthly income below the self-support reserve of 180% of the federal poverty guideline, unless there are special circumstances as provided in chapter 26.19 RCW.
(c) RCW 26.19.065 provides that all of the children are entitled to a "pro rata" share of the parents' income after application of either the self-support reserve, the 45% limitation, or both.
(i) DCS and the administrative law judge (ALJ) only apply the "pro rata" share to the support obligation for the children in the order before them.
(ii) Either party may argue to the ALJ that "pro rata" does not mean the same as "equal," and may propose a different method of calculation or a different amount for the support obligation for the children in the case.
(2) See WAC 388-14A-3410 for information about the self-support reserve.
(3) No matter what your monthly child support obligation may be, RCW 26.23.060 and 74.20A.090 limit the amount that can be withheld from your wages for child support to 50% of your disposable earnings.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.20.040, 74.20A.055, 74.20A.310, and 26.19.065. WSR 25-22-018, s 388-14A-3400, filed 10/24/25, effective 1/1/26. Statutory Authority: RCW 26.09.105(17), 26.18.170(19), 26.23.050(8), 26.23.110(14), 34.05.020, 34.05.060, 34.05.220, 74.08.090, 74.20.040, 74.20A.055(9), and 74.20A.056(11). WSR 11-12-006, § 388-14A-3400, filed 5/19/11, effective 6/19/11. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090. WSR 01-03-089, § 388-14A-3400, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-11-205.]