The transfer payment is the final, legally enforceable dollar amount that one parent must pay to the other parent each month for child support.
RCW 26.19.011 defines the support transfer payment as the amount of money the court orders one parent to pay another parent or custodian for child support after determination of the standard calculation and any deviations.
The transfer payment is the result of completing all 8 parts of the WSCSS worksheet in order: Understanding this term is important when completing your child support calculation. Use our worksheet calculator to see how this applies to your case.
Step 1: Look up basic obligation from 2026 economic table (per child amount × number of children)
Step 2: Multiply by each parent's income share percentage
Step 3: Apply SSR check and limitations
Step 4: Add proportional healthcare and daycare shares
Step 5: Subtract direct payment credits
Step 6: Apply any court-approved deviations
Step 7: Result on Line 17 = Transfer Payment
The transfer payment covers basic living expenses only. It does not include health insurance premiums, daycare costs, education expenses, or extraordinary medical costs — these are shared proportionally in addition to the basic transfer payment.
The transfer payment is a legally enforceable court order. Non-payment triggers enforcement through Washington's Division of Child Support including wage garnishment, license suspension, tax refund interception, and contempt of court. Payments are typically processed through the Washington State Support Registry unless direct payment is ordered.
Yes. Transfer payment is the precise legal term used in RCW 26.19 for the monthly child support amount ordered by the court.
Use our 2026 Washington State estimator to see how these legal terms impact your support amount. All calculators are RCW 26.19 compliant.