Do you pay child support on a 50 50 custody Washington State?

Asked by: Miss Verdie Torphy  |  Last update: October 12, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (29 votes)

When both parents have a shared residential schedule (50-50 time with each parent) there still often is a child support transfer payment if there is a difference in incomes between the parents A shared residential schedule may be a basis for a reduced child support transfer payment, but not always.

Do you have to pay child support if you have 50/50 custody in Washington?

Yes, Washington State law states that if you have 50/50 custody, each parent has a legal duty to child support.

Do dads with 50/50 custody pay child support?

It seems logical that if your custody is shared, you each cover costs for the child when the child is with you. However, in California, custody and child support are two separate components, and one parent may be required to pay child support to the other even in a 50/50 arrangement.

How does 50/50 custody work in Washington State?

Washington does not have a specific law that gives a 50/50 custody presumption. However, the state does promote joint custody in many cases. Because the state makes custody rulings based on the wellbeing of the child, it tends to preserve the status quo as much as possible.

What are the disadvantages of 50/50 custody?

Challenges of 50/50 Custody
  • Potential for Increased Conflict: If the parents have a contentious relationship, the frequent exchanges required in a 50/50 custody arrangement can lead to increased conflict. ...
  • Instability and Disruption: For some children, moving between two homes regularly can feel unstable and disruptive.

Does a Father Pay Child Support With 50/50 Custody?

36 related questions found

Why would a judge deny 50 50 custody?

Differences in parents' style of attachment to children contribute to the inadequacy of 50/50 custody plans. Parental personality differences influence ability to give emotional nurturance to children. Courts often fail to alter 50/50 custody arrangements when circumstances beg for a change.

Who claims children with 50 50 custody?

Under these rules, the parent who has physical custody of the child for the greater part of the year – defined as more than 50% of the nights – typically has the right to claim the child as a dependent for tax purposes.

What are the chances of a father getting 50/50 custody?

While it is not possible to provide an exact probability for a father obtaining 50/50 custody due to variations in individual circumstances and jurisdictional differences, research suggests that fathers who actively participate in their children's lives have better chances at securing equal or significant custodial ...

At what age can a child refuse to see a parent in Washington State?

Up to that point, however, the situation is more complex, as there is no set age at which a child can refuse visitation. Obviously, the court may take action to enforce a visitation order when one parent is interfering with the visitation rights of the other.

How to calculate child support in Washington State?

How Child Support Is Calculated in Washington
  1. Step 1: Determine the Combined Monthly Net Income. ...
  2. Step 2: Find the Basic Support Obligation. ...
  3. Step 3: Calculate Each Parent's Share of Income. ...
  4. Step 4: Determine the Paying Parent's Support Obligation.

Should I pay child support if I have 50 50 custody?

Even if the parents are dividing physical custody down the middle, a judge may order the higher-earning parent to pay child support. You may have to pay child support even with a 50/50 custody agreement if you are the higher-earning parent.

Do you get more child support if you have full custody?

Generally, sole physical custody is awarded to allow a child to live in one home most of the time, and continue to attend their local school. Where joint legal custody and sole physical custody exist together, the amount of child support due will not change.

How much child support will I pay if I make $1000 a week?

Using a standard calculation, an individual earning $1,000 a week might pay around $250 per month for one child, though this figure can vary significantly based on specific circumstances and local county guidelines.

Does 50/50 custody pay child support?

Can a parent still receive California child support when there is joint custody? Yes. The State of California believes that both parents have a duty to provide financial support to a child.

What are the new child support laws in Washington State?

Washington has removed the age brackets and child support is now the same amount (for the basic support) regardless of the child's age. Now, parents with children younger than twelve years old, will be able to receive more support than before even if their divorce case was finalized before January 1, 2019.

How much does a father pay for child support in Washington State?

Washington State uses a child support formula to determine the base monthly child support amount. The factors include the number of children, their ages, and the incomes of the parents. Depending on the variables plugged into the formula, the base child support payment will be anywhere from $200 up to $3,500 per month.

Can a 12 year old choose which parent to live with in Washington State?

There's no specific age when a judge will consider a child's custodial preference. Generally, however, the opinions of children who are 12 or older carry more weight than those of young children.

What to do if a child wants to live with a non-custodial parent?

Modifying Custody Arrangements

One or both parents do have the right to file a petition in order to modify their current custody agreement. In most cases, having an experienced lawyer involved in the process makes it easier in the event of conflict between the two sides.

How old does a child have to be in Washington State to be left alone?

How old does my child have to be to stay home alone? Washington State does not have any laws or rules that say at what age a child can be left home alone. In general, children under 10 should not be left on their own.

What are the dangers of 50 50 custody?

Cons of equal shared parenting:

Frequent exchanges mean that parents have regular in-person contact, which can create conflict that negatively impacts children. Some children may struggle to adapt to frequently moving between homes.

What state is best for father's rights?

Among the best states for fathers are also: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin, which also tend to give fathers 50 percent custody.

How long does 50 50 custody take?

50/50 Child Custody Part One: Every 2 Days & 2-2-3. In recent years, joint physical custody (also called shared physical custody) has become popular because it allows both parents to have substantial involvement in their child's life. In particular, many parents like splitting time 50/50.

Do men pay child support with 50 50 custody?

However, sharing 50/50 custody in California does not mean the parents are not responsible for child support. Each parent must pay a portion of the child support obligation.

Is it better not to claim a child as a dependent?

Cons of claiming your child as a dependent

If your child is a student, they probably have an income that's low enough for them to qualify for education credits, and it's very likely that those credits would amount to more savings for them than the Child Tax Credit would for you if you claimed them as a dependent.

What is the best way to share 50 50 custody?

  1. Alternating weeks. With the alternating weeks schedule, parents simply alternate weeks of custody with the child. ...
  2. Splitting the week in half. ...
  3. 2-2-5-5 custody schedule. ...
  4. 3-4-4-3 custody schedule. ...
  5. The easiest way to make a 50/50 schedule.