How does child support enforcement work?

Child support enforcement in Washington works to make sure that children who are eligible for financial support from their parents or guardians receive it. This process begins when the other parent or guardian of the child is located and is served with a summons to appear in court. In court, the amount of support that the parent or guardian will pay is determined based on the child’s needs and the parent’s or guardian’s ability to pay. Once the amount of support is set, the other parent or guardian must make the required payments, or risk facing the consequences of non-payment. If payments go unpaid, the court can order the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) to take enforcement action. Common enforcement methods include wage garnishment, interception of tax refunds, and suspending driver’s licenses. DSHS can even file criminal charges if the non-payer continues to ignore court orders. In addition to enforcing court orders, DSHS also helps families establish and modify child support orders. They can assist with paternity establishment, obtaining medical support for the child, and more. DSHS also offers a variety of services for families to help ensure that all children have access to financial support and other benefits necessary to meet their basic needs.

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How does child support enforcement work?

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