Although divorce is never easy, an uncontested divorce can prove less taxing for everyone involved, especially the children. In this post, we highlight everything you can expect from an uncontested divorce child support agreement. Feel free to contact us to discuss your concerns with a Tacoma Divorce Attorney.
Determining Child Support
During divorce negotiations, the divorcing couple will need to discuss child support. Your divorce attorney can come up with an approximate figure of what the payment is likely to be, and you can work around that figure to find an amount that caters to your own needs. If both parties agree on one figure, you could skip the state formula entirely.
There are several factors you will need to consider when determining child support obligations. For instance, if one parent is in the military, their base pay and benefits will be considered differently compared to the other parent.
You must also discuss how to handle insurance payments as well as expenses not covered by insurance.
Calculating Child Support
Courts in Washington will either order one or both parents to pay child support. Your obligation will usually depend on your custody arrangement with the other parent as well as each of your incomes. Usually, the non-custodial parent pays child support while the custodial parent is considered to be spending their money directly on the child.
If you and your ex-spouse are unable to calculate an estimate of your obligations, you can turn to the State’s child support calculator. You will need to consider the following:
- Your combined income
- Your custodial agreement
- The number of children you have
- Your children’s ages
The schedule provided in the government site follows the state’s child support guidelines. However, it only covers basic support, which means you will need to discuss other childcare costs such as visitation travels, medical care, and education.
Depending on your agreement, you could opt to go above the child support guideline figure provided by the state’s schedule but not lower. A judge will also need to approve the final amount, which they may adjust up or down depending on the child’s best interest and each parent’s needs.
Updating Child Support Orders
Both your and your ex-spouse’s incomes and living situations could change, and with them, your child support orders. There are laws that allow child support calculations to be revised periodically to determine whether the previous orders are still applicable.
Since your divorce was uncontested, you and your ex-spouse should not have any trouble revising your child support obligations. This does not mean, however, that disputes may not arise. Your attorney will help you navigate the situation if they do.
Work with a Tacoma Divorce Attorney
Ending a marriage can take a toll on you physically, emotionally, and financially. While an uncontested divorce child support agreement can help take some of the load off your back, there are still many discussions to be had with your soon-to-be ex-spouse. We are here to help.
At Alliance Law Group, we are dedicated to helping you and your family sail through your divorce with ease. We have been protecting the interests of families in Tacoma since 1950. If you have any questions about divorce, please contact us today at 253-300-2055 to speak to a Tacoma Divorce Attorney.