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 2 children at the $11,700 mark, providing clarity for the process in Franklin County.
Breakdown of the $11,700 Calculation
Washington's 2026 schedule provides a specific line item for $11,700 net income. For families with 2 children, this dictates a $2,364 base obligation, though Franklin County judges may deviate for cause.
Standard Mid-Income Calculation
Your $11,700 income falls within the standard economic schedule. This means the $2,364 figure is the presumptive legal standard. Want a complete breakdown including deviations and expenses? Calculate your full worksheet
Presumptive Amount
$2,364
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 $2,364 obligation is subject to a check to ensure the payor isn't reduced to a net income below the poverty threshold.
Filing in Franklin County Superior Court
In Franklin County Superior Court, located in Pasco, child support orders based on a $11,700 combined income are filed with theBenton/Franklin Superior Court clerk at 1016 N 4th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301. Filing fees inFranklin County are $250 - $314. Once filed, the presumptive$2,364/mo order for 2 children 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 $2,364, particularly for lifestyle-based deviation arguments in Franklin County.
Deviation Likelihood in Franklin County
At the $11,700 level, deviation requests are less common but still possible in Franklin County. The most frequent grounds are extraordinary healthcare costs, shared custody arrangements, or documented debts. The presumptive $2,364 is upheld in the majority of standard cases at this income tier.
Children-Specific Insight
The $2,364 for 2 children at $11,700/mo reflects Washington's standard two-child rate. Compared to a one-child order ($1,565) at the same income, the second child adds $799/mo — a 51% increase rather than a full doubling, reflecting shared household costs.
Related Income Tiers
Parents earning slightly more than $11,700 — at $11,800/mo — would face a presumptive order of $2,368/mo for 2 children in Washington. Those earning slightly less at $11,600/mo would owe $2,358/mo. These neighboring brackets help illustrate how Washington's 2026 schedule scales support incrementally with income.
Application in Franklin County Superior Court
While the 2026 economic schedule is uniform statewide, the Benton/Franklin Superior Court handles procedural enforcement. In Franklin County, judges may require additional proof of income before finalizing the $2,364 order.
Calculation Summary & Requirements
Determining support for a $11,700 income in Washington is a multi-step process. While the 2026 tables set a $2,364 baseline for 2 children, the final order in Franklin 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 Franklin County Superior Court has the final authority on all support amounts.