Child Support in Whatcom County: A 2026 Guide
Understanding child support in Whatcom County, Washington requires navigating both uniform state law and specific local court procedures. Whatcom County is one of the 39 Washington counties whose residents rely on the Washington State Child Support Schedule (WSCSS). Under Washington's Revised Code (RCW 26.19), child support obligations are calculated using an Income Shares Model, a methodology designed to ensure that children receive a level of financial support proportionate to what they would have enjoyed if their parents had remained together.
In 2026, the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) updated the mandatory child support economic tables that all Whatcom County courts must use. These tables cap at a combined monthly net income of $50,000 and set a firm Self-Support Reserve (SSR) of approximately $2,394 per month, a critical poverty-protection threshold that prevents courts from issuing orders that would impoverish the paying parent.