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1. How do I get child support for my kids?

Child support may be court ordered or administratively ordered through the Division of Child Support. See www.dshs.wa.gov/child-support. The Family Support Division does not represent individuals in child support cases. For a court case to be started by the Prosecutor's Office, it must be referred from the Division of Child Support. Parties may also file cases privately on their own or by hiring their own attorney.

2. What kinds of child support cases does the Prosecutor's Office handle?

The Prosecutor's Office, Family Support Division, files parentage cases to determine the legal parents and set child support, modification cases to update prior child support orders and contempt cases to enforce child support when the obligated parent is not paying.

3. How can I have the Prosecutor open a case for me?

Cases are referred to the Prosecutor's Office from the Division of Child Support. Parties must contact DCS first about having a case started by the Prosecutor’s office: www.dshs.wa.gov/child-support. The Prosecutor represents the State; we are not lawyers for the child or any of the parents or alleged parents in a case.

4. Do I need a lawyer to represent me in a child support case?

People can either represent themselves or hire an attorney to do so. Public defenders may be appointed to the obligated parent in contempt cases because they face the possibility of jail time if they do not pay their child support. The Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association has free legal clinics and a lawyer referral service that can provide assistance finding a lawyer. (www.tpcba.com). The Pierce County Superior Court Clerk has domestic relations facilitators who assist parties without lawyers for a small fee. For an appointment, call (253)798-3627. The required forms for family law cases can also be found online at www.courts.wa.gov/forms/.

5. How do I get custody or visitation rights?

The Prosecutor’s Office does not get involved in custody or visitation issues. However, as part of a pilot program for parentage cases between 7/1/20 and 6/30/21, if parents wish to enter an agreed Parenting Plan, they may request Parenting Plan information from the Family Support Division at the beginning of their case. For all other visitation or custody issues, parents must either hire an attorney or represent themselves.

6. Will the Prosecutor work on divorce or non-parental custody cases?

If a child involved in such a case currently or previously has received cash public assistance (TANF) or state medical benefits, notice of the case must be given to the Prosecutor's Office at 949 Court E, Tacoma, WA 98402. The notice must follow the rules of court.

7. How is child support calculated?

The legislature sets the rules for calculating child support by examining the parents' incomes. Both parents are required to submit financial information which will be filed with the court and sent to the other party. See the Revised Code of Washington 26.19 for the law on this subject.

8. Can I keep my information confidential?

In most cases, you can provide an alternative address for the service of all legal papers. You must update that address with the Prosecutor, the Court and the Division of Child Support any time it changes or you may miss out on important information regarding your case. You can and should black out social security numbers, financial account numbers, driver's license numbers and telephone numbers for you and your minor child(ren) on any documents you submit to the Prosecutor's Office.

9. Can I get genetic testing done to see who the father is?

In many parentage cases, the court will order genetic tests and when the Prosecutor's Office is handling the parentage action, there is no cost to the parties. However, if the parties get their own genetic testing done before the court orders it, those results may not be considered by the court. In some situations, genetic testing will not be allowed. Results of genetic tests done by the Prosecutor's Office will not be given over the phone and are sent by mail 2-4 weeks after the tests are administered.

10. How can I be the parent and have to pay child support when I never had genetic tests?

People may be legal parents without being biological parents. This can occur if the child was adopted, a paternity acknowledgement was signed, someone avoided taking a genetic test after being ordered by the court to do so, if the parties were married and had the child during the marriage or within 300 days after the marriage ended, or if the parties held the child out as their own child for a specific period of time. An attorney should be consulted to determine a person’s rights and obligations in these circumstances.

11. What can I do if I have an arrest warrant for a child support case?

A bench warrant may be issued if you do not appear for a contempt of court hearing or if you do not take a court ordered genetic test. To avoid being arrested on the warrant, contact your lawyer if you have one, or the Prosecutor's Office if you do not. You will have to sign an order to appear for a new court hearing and for contempt cases, usually pay money toward child support to have the warrant quashed.

12. How do I pay my child support?

There are a number of ways to pay your support. You may go to your local DCS office to pay, pay on-line (see https://secure.dshs.wa.gov/home/default.aspx?rfs=PleaseLogin) , mail it to: Washington State Support Registry, P.O. Box 45868, Olympia, WA 98504, or if you have a contempt case with the Pierce County Prosecutor’s office, you may pay at the clerk’s office. Always keep your payment receipts.