Co-parents may disagree about child support amounts, payment schedules or who pays certain expenses. These disputes can create stress for parents and children. Mediation may help parents work toward an agreement without leaving every decision to a judge.
How does mediation address child support disagreements?
A trained mediator helps parents discuss their finances and concerns. The mediator does not take sides or decide the outcome. Instead, the mediator helps parents identify disagreements, explore options and communicate more clearly.
Family mediation is generally confidential, subject to legal exceptions. A court may also order mediation in some cases. Parents can work toward an agreement, but any child support arrangement must follow Washington law.
What financial issues can parents discuss?
Parents can use mediation to discuss financial topics such as:
- Changes in either parent’s income
- Child care costs
- Health insurance
- Medical expenses not covered by insurance
- School costs
- Extracurricular activities and other expenses
Washington’s child support guidelines provide a standard calculation based on the parents’ combined income and number of children. Parents may discuss a different amount through mediation, but any deviation must meet Washington’s legal requirements. Parents cannot change a court-ordered support amount on their own.
When might mediation fall short?
Mediation works best when both parents can negotiate honestly and safely. Hidden income or missing financial records can make a fair agreement harder to reach. A power imbalance may also prevent one parent from taking part freely.
Parents may need to consider other ways to resolve disputes when domestic violence or child abuse is involved. Under Washington law, a court may make an exception when a victim requests mediation and the court finds it appropriate. The victim must be allowed to have a supporting person present.
If parents cannot reach an agreement, either parent may ask the court to decide the disputed issues. Any child support order must comply with Washington law.
What should parents consider before mediation?
Parents can prepare by reviewing financial records, listing their children’s needs and noting unresolved issues. A family law attorney can help assess whether mediation is appropriate and explain the options available for resolving the dispute.
