Child Support Lawyer Bellevue

Raising children comes with emotional, physical, and financial responsibility—something that doesn’t end when a relationship does. Whether you are the primary caregiver or the non-custodial parent, navigating child support in Bellevue, Washington, can be overwhelming without clear legal guidance. At Enright Family Law, we help modern families understand, establish, enforce, and modify child support in ways that prioritize the well-being of children while respecting the realities of today’s parenting dynamics.

Whether you’re seeking fair support, defending against an unreasonable request, or trying to ensure payments are made, our team is here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence. With offices in San Diego and Bellevue, we are happy to help you with your family law case.

What Is Child Support?

Child support is the legal obligation of a parent to contribute financially to the upbringing of their child. In Washington State, both parents share this responsibility—regardless of whether they were ever married. Child support ensures that a child’s basic needs are met, including housing, food, clothing, education, medical care, and other living expenses.

In most cases, the parent who has less residential time (the non-custodial parent) pays support to the parent who has more parenting time. However, every case is unique, and factors such as income disparity, parenting schedules, and extraordinary expenses all play a role.

How Is Child Support Calculated in Washington?

Washington State uses a standardized formula known as the Washington State Child Support Schedule (WSCSS) to determine the base amount of support. This formula considers:

• Each parent’s gross monthly income
• The number of children requiring support
• The residential schedule (how parenting time is divided)
• Daycare, healthcare, and educational expenses
• Other children the parents are legally obligated to support

Once the base support amount is calculated, the court may deviate from it based on factors such as:

• Extraordinary medical costs
• Long-distance visitation expenses
• Income disparity between households
• High-cost or special needs of the child

As experienced child support lawyers in Bellevue, we help ensure that all relevant income and expenses are properly presented so the final order is fair and sustainable.

Establishing Child Support

Child support may be established as part of a:

• Divorce or legal separation case
• Parentage (paternity) action for unmarried parents
• Modification or enforcement action of an existing order
• Agreed parenting plan approved by the court

Even if you and the other parent agree on an amount, it’s important to formalize it through the court to ensure enforcement and protect both parties.

We help you:

• Calculate accurate support based on current financial data
• Draft or review child support orders
• File necessary documents with King County Superior Court
• Ensure legal compliance and enforceability

Enforcing Child Support Orders

If a parent fails to pay child support, it can cause significant hardship. Fortunately, Washington State provides several enforcement tools, including:

• Wage garnishment
• Intercepting tax refunds
• Suspension of driver’s or professional licenses
• Bank levies or property liens
• Contempt of court proceedings

At Enright Family Law, we help custodial parents take legal action to enforce child support orders, recover unpaid amounts, and hold the other parent accountable.

We also represent non-custodial parents facing enforcement actions, ensuring their rights are protected and addressing valid financial hardships with the court.

Modifying Child Support Orders

Life changes, and so do financial circumstances. Washington allows for child support modifications when there is a substantial change in circumstances, such as:

• A job loss or significant change in income
• A change in custody or parenting time
• The child aging out of daycare or developing special needs
• Health issues that affect earning capacity
• A parent becoming responsible for other dependents

To modify a child support order, you must file a motion with the court and provide updated financial documentation. Our team guides you through the modification process, ensuring your petition is well-supported and appropriately filed.

Child Support in High-Conflict and Complex Situations

Modern families are complex. At Enright Family Law, we work with clients who face unique challenges, including:

• Self-employed or variable-income parents
• Parents with hidden or unreported income
• High-income households with lifestyle considerations
• Blended families with overlapping support obligations
• Parents raising children with special medical or developmental needs
• Long-distance parenting arrangements

We provide strategic advocacy to help clients navigate complex financial landscapes and ensure that the child support outcome reflects the true needs of the child and the realities of the parents’ lives.

What If You’re Paying Too Much?

If your current support order was based on outdated or inaccurate information, or your income has decreased, you may be overpaying. Many paying parents feel trapped by support obligations that no longer reflect their financial ability.

We can help you:

• Review your existing order
• Analyze your financial documentation
• Petition the court for a downward modification
• Prevent wage garnishment or enforcement actions
• Propose payment plans or settlement terms

Our goal is to ensure child support is fair and manageable for both parents—while continuing to meet the needs of the child.

What If You’re Receiving Too Little?

If you’re the primary caregiver and your child’s needs have changed—or the other parent’s income has increased significantly—you may be entitled to more support.

We can help you:

• File a motion to modify your support order
• Gather evidence of your child’s increased needs
• Investigate changes in the other parent’s income
• Represent you in court hearings or negotiations

You don’t have to bear the full financial burden of parenting alone. We’re here to help you secure the resources your child deserves.

Why Choose Enright Family Law

At Enright Family Law, we offer:

• Deep knowledge of Washington child support law
• Personalized attention and practical advice
• Inclusive support for all families, including LGBTQ+ and blended families
• Transparent billing and flexible coaching or full-representation options
• A child-centered, modern approach that values respect and results

Our firm is built around the idea that families come in many forms, and every child deserves a stable, secure future—regardless of how their parents’ relationship has changed.

How We Can Help

At Enright Family Law, we help families in Bellevue navigate the full scope of child support matters—from calculating and establishing fair orders to enforcing or modifying them when life changes. Whether you’re a parent seeking support, a parent working to meet obligations, or someone in a high-conflict situation needing legal clarity, we’re here to offer support that is smart, compassionate, and effective.

We can help you:

• Understand your rights and responsibilities
• Establish or contest child support orders
• File for enforcement or modification
• Address complex income and parenting time issues
• Work toward outcomes that reflect the best interests of your child

Contact Enright Family Law today to schedule a consultation with a trusted child support lawyer in Bellevue. Let us help you protect your child’s future and achieve the legal clarity your family deserves.