Legal Question in Family Law in Washington

Child support is based upon the Washington State Child Support Schedule Worksheets which have a formula that determines support based upon each parent's proportionate share of income. Spousal maintenance is based upon one spouse's need and the other's ability to pay support. Additionally, the length of the marriage is taken into consideration when determining how long and how much support ought to be awarded, if any should be awarded at all. Typically, short term marriages, say anything under five years will get nothing.

spousal maintenance is based on several factors: (a) The financial resources of the party seeking maintenance, including separate or community property apportioned to him or her, and his or her ability to meet his or her needs independently, including the extent to which a provision for support of a child living with the party includes a sum for that party;

(b) The time necessary to acquire sufficient education or training to enable the party seeking maintenance to find employment appropriate to his or her skill, interests, style of life, and other attendant circumstances;

(c) The standard of living established during the marriage or domestic partnership;

(d) The duration of the marriage or domestic partnership;

(e) The age, physical and emotional condition, and financial obligations of the spouse or domestic partner seeking maintenance; and

(f) The ability of the spouse or domestic partner from whom maintenance is sought to meet his or her needs and financial obligations while meeting those of the spouse or domestic partner seeking maintenance.

Child support is calculated based on the ratios of the on the incomes of the parties after the combined income is used to determine support amount.