Washington Child Support Guidelines (2026 Updates)
Washington's 2026 child support laws are designed to be predictable. This review explains how the state arrives at the support figure for one child at the $11,700 mark, providing clarity for the process in Chelan County.
Breakdown of the $11,700 Calculation
Washington's 2026 schedule provides a specific line item for $11,700 net income. For families with one child, this dictates a $1,565 base obligation, though Chelan County judges may deviate for cause.
Standard Mid-Income Calculation
Your $11,700 income falls within the standard economic schedule. This means the $1,565 figure is the presumptive legal standard. Want a complete breakdown including deviations and expenses? Calculate your full worksheet
Presumptive Amount
$1,565
Schedule Bracket
Standard Limit
The SSR and Low-Income Safeguards
The 2026 Washington schedule incorporates the $2,394 SSR. For a $11,700 income, the $1,565 obligation is subject to a check to ensure the payor isn't reduced to a net income below the poverty threshold.
Filing in Chelan County Superior Court
In Chelan County Superior Court, located in Wenatchee, child support orders based on a $11,700 combined income are filed with theChelan County Superior Court clerk at 350 Orondo Ave, Wenatchee, WA 98801. Filing fees inChelan County are $250 - $314. Once filed, the presumptive$1,565/mo order for one child becomes the baseline unless either parent requests a deviation hearing.
Income Bracket Context
At $11,700/mo, this household falls in the upper income bracket of Washington's 2026 schedule — above the state median of $7,114/mo. At this level, courts have wider discretion to order above the presumptive $1,565, particularly for lifestyle-based deviation arguments in Chelan County.
Deviation Likelihood in Chelan County
At the $11,700 level, deviation requests are less common but still possible in Chelan County. The most frequent grounds are extraordinary healthcare costs, shared custody arrangements, or documented debts. The presumptive $1,565 is upheld in the majority of standard cases at this income tier.
Children-Specific Insight
For one child at $11,700/mo, the $1,565 obligation reflects Washington's base rate. Parents adding a second child to the order would see this figure rise to $2,364 — an increase of $799 — reflecting the additional resources required under the 2026 schedule.
Related Income Tiers
Parents earning slightly more than $11,700 — at $11,800/mo — would face a presumptive order of $1,568/mo for one child in Washington. Those earning slightly less at $11,600/mo would owe $1,562/mo. These neighboring brackets help illustrate how Washington's 2026 schedule scales support incrementally with income.
Application in Chelan County Superior Court
While the 2026 economic schedule is uniform statewide, the Chelan County Superior Court handles procedural enforcement. In Chelan County, judges may require additional proof of income before finalizing the $1,565 order.
Calculation Summary & Requirements
Determining support for a $11,700 income in Washington is a multi-step process. While the 2026 tables set a $1,565 baseline for one child, the final order in Chelan County considers deviations and the SSR.
Accuracy & Legal Status
While we strive for accuracy, these figures for $11,700 are for informational purposes. The 2026 guidelines are subject to change, and the Chelan County Superior Court has the final authority on all support amounts.