As of January 1, 2026, significant changes to child support obligations in Washington state are set to go into effect. House Bill 1014, the result of implementing the recommendations of the 2023 child support work group, will bring about immediate changes to those seeking new Child Support Orders in 2026, and provide an opportunity for those to modify their existing Child Support Orders.

These changes are set to have an impact on families on both ends of the economic spectrum: for low-income families, the previous floor for income levels had been $1,000 of combined monthly income, which is now being raised to $2,200. However, the minimum monthly support obligation per child per month will remain set at $50.

For high-income families, the economic table now extends to $50,000 of combined income per month, when the cap was previously $12,000. Notably, there is no change to the support obligations or incomes within the range of $2,200 and $12,000 per month.

These changes are the result of an identified need to extend the economic table past $12,000 of combined net income per month. Many families in Washington meet the $12,000 combined monthly net income level, resulting in previous uncertainty as to what child support obligations would be. By raising the ceiling of the economic table to a combined monthly net income of $50,000, monthly child support obligations will be straightforward and predictable for families of all income levels, and the necessary involvement of the court to order the payment of child support will be simplified, and in many situations practically automated.

Other relevant resulting changes from the Bill include allowing parents to deduct mandatory state insurance premiums that are paid from their gross monthly income, removing educational expenses from the economic table, and raising the self-support reserve to 180% of the federal poverty guideline, meaning that a parent’s basic support obligation cannot reduce their income below the self-support reserve.

A natural result of the implementation of changes like these will be a spike in modifications from parents on both sides of child support. Regardless of whether you are a child support obligor (the parent paying child support), or child support obligee (the parent receiving child support for the benefit of the child(ren)), this change is a good opportunity to review your Child Support Order, and compare your monthly payment with the new economic tables. If you are a parent receiving child support for the benefit of your children, take a close look at your Child Support Order and worksheets, and determine whether seeking a modification in 2026 would be beneficial for the needs of your family. If you are a parent paying child support, be prepared for a potential change to your monthly obligation.

For additional questions related to the changing landscape of child support obligations, and to evaluate your options regarding modification, contact an experienced family law attorney at Lasher today.