The Workgroup comprises 17 members appointed by the Governor: a law professor, a member of the Washington State Bar Association Family Law Executive Committee (FLEC), an economist, a representative of the tribal community, a superior court judge, a superior court commissioner, a representative from the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC), a prosecutor appointed by the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (WAPA), a representative from legal services, an administrative law judge from the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), three noncustodial parents and three custodial parents. The Workgroup has assigned members to four subcommittees: economic table, children from other relationships, residential credit and post-secondary education.
Children From Other Relationships: The children being considered by a court or administrative tribunal for the purpose of assessing a parent’s child support obligation and who are not the children for whom support is being determined shall be known as “Children Not Before the Court.” (CNBC). Only dependent children may qualify as CNBC. The whole family formula should be the method for determining the amount of the “adjustment” for CNBC.
Residential Credit Subcommittee. A “written plan” needs to be in place before a residential credit (RC) is applied. A 25% minimum threshold is suggested. A “guideline calculation” is recommended but not required as “rigid formula”, leaving the actual amount to the court’s discretion. The “higher or lower time parent” can request a RC modification if the child is not spending the written plan time with one of the parents.
Postsecondary Education Subcommittee. Requirement that child be enrolled on a “full time, per term basis.” Payments not to the obligee parent. Statute should mirror mandatory form language re: “child support terminated age 18 or graduates high school, whichever later.” Child should be required to pay minimum of one-third cost. Tuition not to exceed in-state tuition.
Children From Other Relationships: The children being considered by a court or administrative tribunal for the purpose of assessing a parent’s child support obligation and who are not the children for whom support is being determined shall be known as “Children Not Before the Court.” (CNBC). Only dependent children may qualify as CNBC. The whole family formula should be the method for determining the amount of the “adjustment” for CNBC.
Residential Credit Subcommittee. A “written plan” needs to be in place before a residential credit (RC) is applied. A 25% minimum threshold is suggested. A “guideline calculation” is recommended but not required as “rigid formula”, leaving the actual amount to the court’s discretion. The “higher or lower time parent” can request a RC modification if the child is not spending the written plan time with one of the parents.
Postsecondary Education Subcommittee. Requirement that child be enrolled on a “full time, per term basis.” Payments not to the obligee parent. Statute should mirror mandatory form language re: “child support terminated age 18 or graduates high school, whichever later.” Child should be required to pay minimum of one-third cost. Tuition not to exceed in-state tuition.
· August 12 (L&I Tumwater Headquarters Building Rooms S118 & S119, 7273 Linderson Way SW, Tumwater, WA 9:00 am to 3:00 pm )
· August 26 (Administrative Office of the Courts SeaTac Conference Room, 11th Floor, Suite 1106, 18000 International Blvd, SeaTac, WA 9:00 am to 3:00 pm )
· September 9 (L&I Tumwater Headquarters Building Rooms S118 & S117, 7273 Linderson Way SW, Tumwater, WA 9:00 am to 3:00 pm ).
Final findings and recommendations are scheduled to be delivered to the legislature on October 1, 2011. More information is available at: http://www.dshs.wa.gov/dcs/Resources/workgroup.asp
