Child support cases in Washington can move quickly when parents provide complete financial information and agree on the numbers. But when documents are missing, income is unclear, or parents do not cooperate, the process takes longer and often becomes more expensive.
And no matter who files the case, the court will not investigate the facts on its own. Judges do not search for hidden income, household support, or other child support orders. Each parent is responsible for presenting accurate information, and if you do nothing or rely only on basic forms, the court will set support using incomplete records. This often leads to support amounts that are far too high or far too low.
In some cases, the Prosecutor’s Office files a child support petition in Superior Court when a parent or child receives TANF benefits. These actions move quickly, and the Prosecutor is focused only on establishing support for the State to recover public funds. They do not investigate fairness or household circumstances. Parents must still provide information about income, expenses, and other child-related factors to ensure the final order is accurate.
This page explains the cost, timeline, and required steps for obtaining a first court-ordered child support order in Washington. It also highlights how delays increase financial risk, how private agreements can create back support problems, and why parents must participate fully to protect themselves.
Myths and Misconceptions About the Cost and Timing of Child Support in Washington
Myth: “The court will review our documents and calculate support for us.”
The court does not independently gather information or run calculations. Judges only review documents and make decisions when a parent files motions and submits evidence.
Myth: “The court will make sure the child support amount is fair.”
The court does not verify the accuracy of your financial information or check whether the other parent is telling the truth. Judges rely entirely on what the parents present. If you do not participate or do not know how to present the evidence, the support amount may be incorrect and lead to long-term financial problems.
Myth: “Child support can be set quickly because the court will handle everything automatically.”
Courts cannot act on their own. A hearing happens only if a parent requests one, and the court will only consider what the parties present.
Myth: “If the other parent will not cooperate, the court will fix it right away.”
Noncooperation slows the case. When income is disputed or documents are missing, hearings and additional evidence are required, which increases time and cost.
Myth: “If we agree privately, we do not need to formalize child support.”
Private arrangements do not protect either parent. Without a court-approved order, the paying parent may owe up to five years of back support, and informal payments may not be credited.
Myth: “The Prosecutor will make sure the support number is right if the State is involved.”
The Prosecutor represents the State, not either parent. They rely only on official income records and do not investigate cash income, new spouses, household support, other child support orders, or deviations. If you do not present evidence, the court will set support based on incomplete information.
Myth: “I can wait and fix support later.”
For modifications, the court can only change support back to the date the petition was filed. If a support order ends before a parent files, the court cannot modify it at all.
Myth: “Getting support through DCS is always faster or easier.”
DCS can be free and helpful, but it does not address everything. DCS rarely deals with tax benefits, deviations, or household-income issues. Court-based child support offers broader options.
Myth: “Child support cases cost the same for everyone.”
Costs vary based on complexity. Simple cases cost less, while cases involving business income, multiple families, underemployment, or post-secondary support require more evidence and attorney time.
Understanding the Child Support Process
Can the court order temporary child support before the case is finished?
Yes. Temporary child support may be ordered early in a case to ensure the child’s needs are met while the case is pending. The judge will use the worksheets and available financial information to set an amount that applies until a final order is entered.
How quickly can temporary child support be ordered?
Temporary support can be ordered in a matter of weeks, sometimes even sooner if income information is clear. Delays usually come from financial disputes or incomplete documentation rather than court availability.
Do I have to pay a filing fee to start a child support case?
Filing fees apply in most Superior Court actions, but parents who qualify for financial hardship may request a waiver. Parents seeking support through DCS do not pay court filing fees.
How long does it take to get a child support order in Washington?
A child support order can be entered quickly when both parents provide complete financial information and agree on the calculation. Contested cases take longer because the court must hold hearings and decide disputed issues.
What steps are required to establish child support?
Parents complete financial declarations, provide income records, and submit child support worksheets under RCW 26.19. The court enters an order either by agreement or after a hearing where both parents present evidence and arguments.
How much does it cost to hire a lawyer for a child support case?
Most child support cases at Pacific Northwest Family Law fall between $4,000 and $8,000 dollars, depending on the complexity of the financial issues. Cases with business income, underemployment, hidden income, or deviations often cost more. Highly contested cases can reach $10,000 to $18,000 dollars or more when extensive financial analysis or multiple hearings are required.
Do I have to pay to get child support, or is it free through DCS?
You can request child support through the Division of Child Support at no cost, but DCS uses an administrative process and may not address issues such as tax benefits, deviations, or household-income concerns. Court-based child support offers more flexibility and control but involves attorney fees and court costs.
Can parents avoid court by agreeing privately on child support?
Parents may agree on a number, but the agreement must be approved by the court to be enforceable. Without a formal order, either parent may demand back support later, which creates significant financial risk.
What happens if we never establish a formal child support order?
If no order is entered, the paying parent can be charged up to five years of back support under RCW 26.26B.040. Private arrangements offer no protection.
What happens if I am served with a child support petition filed by the Prosecutor?
The Prosecutor may file a petition when a parent or child receives TANF benefits. These cases move quickly because the State seeks reimbursement of public funds. The Prosecutor does not investigate fairness or household circumstances. You must still present complete information about income, household support, and the parenting plan to ensure the final amount is correct.
Timing and Cost Issues That Affect Both New Orders and Modifications
How long does it take to modify child support in Washington?
If both parents agree that income has changed, modifications can be completed quickly. Contested modifications take longer, especially when new children, parenting plan changes, lifestyle analysis, or college support issues are involved.
How much does it cost to modify child support?
Simple modifications usually fall between $3,000 and $6,000 dollars. Contested modifications involving new children, residential schedule changes, lifestyle analysis, or post-secondary support often range from $6,000 to $20,000 dollars or more.
Why is it risky to handle child support on my own without an attorney?
Child support is calculated based on the evidence parents provide, not on what the court discovers. If important information is missing, unclear, or poorly presented, the final order can be thousands of dollars off. Many parents do not realize they can request deviations or challenge incomplete income information.
Can the court look back and change support for past months?
When establishing child support for the first time, courts may order up to five years of past support under RCW 26.26B.040. For modifications, changes apply only from the date the petition was filed under RCW 26.09.170.
Financial and Strategic Concerns
What if the other parent refuses to provide financial documents?
You can request discovery or ask the court to order disclosure. Courts may impose sanctions or draw negative inferences when a parent withholds required information.
Do I need an attorney to set or modify child support?
Legal help can prevent errors in calculating income and ensure the correct evidence is presented. Parents with business income, cash income, multiple families, or college-related issues benefit most from professional guidance.
How does failing to act quickly affect the final support amount?
Waiting increases the risk of large back-support judgments and limits what the court can correct later. If a support order ends before a parent files, the court cannot modify it at all.
Work With Pacific Northwest Family Law to Protect Your Time, Money, and Rights
Judges do not investigate finances and the Prosecutor does not advocate for fairness. The court will set child support based only on the information it receives, which is why parents who do nothing or try to handle the case alone often end up with orders that are incorrect and difficult to change. An attorney ensures the court sees the full financial picture, identifies deviations that apply to your case, and protects you from paying far more than you should or receiving far less than your child needs.
If you are facing a child support issue or wondering whether you should act now, we can help you take the right steps and protect your financial future.
Reviewed by Attorney Zachary C Ashby, Pacific Northwest Family Law, November 2025.