Explain 50% residential custody. To whom does the child support requirement go to?
Question Details: I spoke with an attorney (consult) and she stated that I could seek 50% residential custody. I ran the Wa. State Calculator and shows the approx responsibility on my part of 65%. Does this mean I must pay my ex-spouse that amount? Does this cost consider what I spend on food,clothing, and housing? This seems costly if I am paying this amount plus expendatures when my child is with me. This does not include any day care expenses.
50% residential placement is very tough to get in Washington. If it is ordered, however, then the party who makes more money will generally pay the other party some child support. Only if both parties have identical income would no child support be paid. In your case, it sounds like you would be responsible for 65% of the total child expenses and the other party 45%. This means you would pay the difference between what 65% represents in dollars and 45% represents in dollars. The total child support number is based on the child support schedules, with a deviation granted for the equal time spent with the kids by each party. The schedules already take into account housing, clothing, etc. You really should contact an attorney to more fully run the numbers and explain the concept.
