Child support
Child support is mandatory in the State of Washington and will be determined by the relative incomes of the parties. The court at times will reduce the amount of support due from one parent to the other for such factors as the amount of time spent with the child/children, extraordinary debt (if justified), additional children that the paying parent is responsible for, and other reasons. These reductions are usually in the discretion of the court, and not mandatory. Parents are also often responsible to pay their share of extracurricular activities, medical expenses, daycare, and other child related expenses. Child support may be modified every couple of years, or earlier if there is a substantial change in circumstances.

Spousal maintenance
Maintenance, or alimony as it is sometimes called, is an equalizing mechanism employed by the court to try to balance the playing field between two divorcing spouses. Maintenance is not currently available where parties have not been married. The court will look at the ability of one spouse to pay and the need of the other, and will take such other factors into consideration as length of marriage, future prospects of the parties, and the health of the parties. Spousal maintenance is not guided by any specific chart or number, and may vary considerably in both length and amount.