WASHINGTON STATUTES AND CODES

26.19.075 - Standards for deviation from the standard calculation.

Standards for deviation from the standard calculation.

(1) Reasons for deviation from the standard calculation include but are not limited to the following:

     (a) Sources of income and tax planning. The court may deviate from the standard calculation after consideration of the following:

     (i) Income of a new spouse or new domestic partner if the parent who is married to the new spouse or in a partnership with a new domestic partner is asking for a deviation based on any other reason. Income of a new spouse or new domestic partner is not, by itself, a sufficient reason for deviation;

     (ii) Income of other adults in the household if the parent who is living with the other adult is asking for a deviation based on any other reason. Income of the other adults in the household is not, by itself, a sufficient reason for deviation;

     (iii) Child support actually received from other relationships;

     (iv) Gifts;

     (v) Prizes;

     (vi) Possession of wealth, including but not limited to savings, investments, real estate holdings and business interests, vehicles, boats, pensions, bank accounts, insurance plans, or other assets;

     (vii) Extraordinary income of a child;

     (viii) Tax planning considerations. A deviation for tax planning may be granted only if the child would not receive a lesser economic benefit due to the tax planning; or

     (ix) Income that has been excluded under RCW 26.19.071(4)(h) if the person earning that income asks for a deviation for any other reason.

     (b) Nonrecurring income. The court may deviate from the standard calculation based on a finding that a particular source of income included in the calculation of the basic support obligation is not a recurring source of income. Depending on the circumstances, nonrecurring income may include overtime, contract-related benefits, bonuses, or income from second jobs. Deviations for nonrecurring income shall be based on a review of the nonrecurring income received in the previous two calendar years.

     (c) Debt and high expenses. The court may deviate from the standard calculation after consideration of the following expenses:

     (i) Extraordinary debt not voluntarily incurred;

     (ii) A significant disparity in the living costs of the parents due to conditions beyond their control;

     (iii) Special needs of disabled children;

     (iv) Special medical, educational, or psychological needs of the children; or

     (v) Costs incurred or anticipated to be incurred by the parents in compliance with court-ordered reunification efforts under chapter 13.34 RCW or under a voluntary placement agreement with an agency supervising the child.

     (d) Residential schedule. The court may deviate from the standard calculation if the child spends a significant amount of time with the parent who is obligated to make a support transfer payment. The court may not deviate on that basis if the deviation will result in insufficient funds in the household receiving the support to meet the basic needs of the child or if the child is receiving temporary assistance for needy families. When determining the amount of the deviation, the court shall consider evidence concerning the increased expenses to a parent making support transfer payments resulting from the significant amount of time spent with that parent and shall consider the decreased expenses, if any, to the party receiving the support resulting from the significant amount of time the child spends with the parent making the support transfer payment.

     (e) Children from other relationships. The court may deviate from the standard calculation when either or both of the parents before the court have children from other relationships to whom the parent owes a duty of support.

     (i) The child support schedule shall be applied to the mother, father, and children of the family before the court to determine the presumptive amount of support.

     (ii) Children from other relationships shall not be counted in the number of children for purposes of determining the basic support obligation and the standard calculation.

     (iii) When considering a deviation from the standard calculation for children from other relationships, the court may consider only other children to whom the parent owes a duty of support. The court may consider court-ordered payments of child support for children from other relationships only to the extent that the support is actually paid.

     (iv) When the court has determined that either or both parents have children from other relationships, deviations under this section shall be based on consideration of the total circumstances of both households. All child support obligations paid, received, and owed for all children shall be disclosed and considered.

     (2) All income and resources of the parties before the court, new spouses or new domestic partners, and other adults in the households shall be disclosed and considered as provided in this section. The presumptive amount of support shall be determined according to the child support schedule. Unless specific reasons for deviation are set forth in the written findings of fact and are supported by the evidence, the court shall order each parent to pay the amount of support determined by using the standard calculation.

     (3) The court shall enter findings that specify reasons for any deviation or any denial of a party's request for any deviation from the standard calculation made by the court. The court shall not consider reasons for deviation until the court determines the standard calculation for each parent.

     (4) When reasons exist for deviation, the court shall exercise discretion in considering the extent to which the factors would affect the support obligation.

     (5) Agreement of the parties is not by itself adequate reason for any deviations from the standard calculation.