martybarker wrote:When I start hearing legal jargon my head swirls. I read the attachment. I'm wondering if my kids were deserving of more support based on our combined incomes or if my lawyer gave me the right information. He basically said"You can only buy a child so many horses" Meaning, it only takes a certain amount of money to raise a child. But what about the case of someone making a lot of money. I don't understand this.
The laws cover that:
"(3) Income above five thousand and seven thousand dollars. The economic table is presumptive for combined monthly net incomes up to and including five thousand dollars. When combined monthly net income exceeds five thousand dollars, support shall not be set at an amount lower than the presumptive amount of support set for combined monthly net incomes of five thousand dollars unless the court finds a reason to deviate below that amount. The economic table is advisory but not presumptive for combined monthly net incomes that exceed five thousand dollars. When combined monthly net income exceeds seven thousand dollars, the court may set support at an advisory amount of support set for combined monthly net incomes between five thousand and seven thousand dollars or the court may exceed the advisory amount of support set for combined monthly net incomes of seven thousand dollars upon written findings of fact."
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=26.19.020
What your lawyer worked with was the 1st option - they picked a number from the standard chart for incomes between $5,000 and $7,000.
What you now appear to be thinking is that you should be working under the 2nd option.
In other words, if you think the amount paid should exceed the maximum listed in the table (based on total income exceeding the $7,000/month limit in the table) you have to document the reasons - i.e. you need to keep your reciepts and track every expense and show them to the court.
In most states there is an upper limit that the Courts will work with. In NC, for example, if the combined income exceeds $200,000/year then the court tells the parents to work it out and then the court reviews and approves the final plan. They don't even attempt to apply the standard charts.
But bascially what it all boils down to is that the State of WA has determined that the
maximum cost to raise 2 children in your state is $1,892/month. That amount is split between both parents based on the proportion of their net incomes. If you think child support should exceed that amount then it is up to you to prove it with valid needs (and documentation of those needs!). Once you provide that documenattion to the courts, the judge decides if the numbers are legitimate and reasonable.