The basic child support obligation is the monthly amount determined from the 2026 Washington economic table based on both parents combined net income and number of children. It is the starting point for calculating the final transfer payment before any adjustments or credits are applied.
RCW 26.19.011 defines the basic child support obligation as the monthly child support obligation determined from the economic table based on the parties combined monthly net income and the number of children for whom support is owed.
Step 1: Add both parents net monthly incomes to get combined net income (Line 4).
Step 2: Round combined income to nearest $100.
Step 3: Find the row in the 2026 economic table matching combined net income.
Step 4: Find the column matching number of children.
Step 5: The table value = per child amount.
Step 6: Multiply per child amount by number of children = Basic Child Support Obligation (Line 5).
The basic obligation is always calculated first. Every other adjustment — income share split, SSR check, healthcare, daycare credits, and deviations — is applied to or on top of this base figure. A higher combined income means a higher basic obligation per child up to the $50,000 table maximum.
No. The basic obligation is the starting point. The final transfer payment is lower after applying income share percentages, SSR limitations, credits, and any deviations.
For combined income below $2,200 the obligation is based on the resources and living expenses of each household. The minimum is $50 per child per month.
The table is presumptive up to $50,000. Above that the court may exceed the maximum with written findings of fact under RCW 26.19.065(3).
Use our 2026 Washington State estimator to see how these legal terms impact your support amount. All calculators are RCW 26.19 compliant.