Family Law Playbook: Washington Edition · Step 8 of 11

The Financial Declaration and Support Worksheets in Washington

The mandatory Financial Declaration, the records that back it up, sealed financial documents, and the child support worksheets

Researched by Dan Martin, Legal Researcher · Published by Onbello Legal

Quick answer

Washington requires both parents in a child support case to disclose all household income and resources (RCW 26.19.071(1)). Each parent completes the mandatory Financial Declaration (FL All Family 131) under penalty of perjury and provides tax returns for the preceding two years and current paystubs (RCW 26.19.071(2)). Child support worksheets must be completed under penalty of perjury and filed in every proceeding in which child support is determined (RCW 26.19.035(3)).

What has to be disclosed

All income and resources of each parent’s household must be disclosed and considered when the court sets child support, even though only the parents’ own income is used in the basic calculation (RCW 26.19.071(1)). The income of new spouses or domestic partners and other adults in the household is disclosed as well (RCW 26.19.075(2)). Some income is disclosed but not counted, such as gifts, prizes, and public assistance listed in RCW 26.19.071(4).

To verify income and deductions, tax returns for the preceding two years and current paystubs must be provided, and other sufficient verification is required for income and deductions that do not appear on them (RCW 26.19.071(2)). A self-employed parent must be ready to justify any business expense deduction the other side disputes (RCW 26.19.071(5)(i)).

This guide is general legal information, not legal advice. Every case is different, and each Washington county’s superior court also has its own local court rules. Onbello is not a law firm. If you can afford an attorney, we encourage you to hire one.

The Financial Declaration

The Financial Declaration (FL All Family 131) (revised 06/2026) is a mandatory statewide form. It covers:

Your work and education, and a summary of your net income, expenses, and debt payments.
Monthly income and deductions for you and the other party, the same information that goes on the child support worksheets.
Other income and the income of other adults living in each home.
A section to explain why you disagree with the other party’s statements about income.
Available assets, monthly expenses after separation, payments on other debts, and lawyer fees.

You sign it declaring under penalty of perjury under the laws of the state of Washington that the facts are true. As of October 2026, the Washington Courts forms page lists the 06/2026 version, so check that you are using the current one.

Make the numbers match

The income figures on your Financial Declaration, your worksheets, and your paystubs and tax returns should tell the same story. Where an amount is an estimate, say so in the explanation section.

Keeping financial records private

The Financial Declaration tells you not to attach financial records to it. Instead, records such as tax returns and pay stubs are served on the other party and filed separately with the Sealed Financial Source Documents cover sheet (FL All Family 011). GR 22(c)(2) restricts access to sealed financial source documents, and the form explains that they remain available to the parties and lawyers in the case, court personnel, and certain state agencies and boards.

The child support worksheets

Worksheets in the form developed by the Administrative Office of the Courts must be completed under penalty of perjury and filed in every proceeding in which child support is determined. The court may not accept incomplete worksheets or worksheets that vary from the official form (RCW 26.19.035(3)). Worksheets are attached to the order, or if filed separately, initialed or signed by the judge and filed with it (RCW 26.19.035(4)). Use the current Washington State Child Support Schedule Worksheets (revised 06/2026).

When you will need these forms

Any case in which child support is set, such as a divorce or a Petition for a Parenting Plan and/or Child Support, since worksheets must be filed in every proceeding in which support is determined (RCW 26.19.035(3)).
Temporary support while a case is pending. In a divorce, a motion for temporary support must be supported by an affidavit stating the factual basis and the amounts requested (RCW 26.09.060(1)).
Modifying or adjusting support. A support modification starts with a petition and worksheets (RCW 26.09.175(1)), and an adjustment after 24 months with a motion and worksheets (RCW 26.09.170(9)(b)). The Petition to Change a Parenting Plan (FL Modify 601) says a parent asking to change support along with the plan will file a Financial Declaration and proposed worksheets.

Help with the math

Courthouse facilitators can help self-represented parents calculate child support using the financial information they provide on the required forms (GR 27(c)(1)(D)). See the family court guide.

Primary sources

Laws, rules and forms change. Check the current version at the source before you file.

Common questions

What financial documents do I need for child support in Washington?

Tax returns for the preceding two years and current paystubs must be provided to verify income and deductions, and other sufficient verification is required for income that does not appear on them (RCW 26.19.071(2)). The mandatory Financial Declaration (FL All Family 131) is signed under penalty of perjury. The form tells you not to attach financial records to it, and to serve them and file them separately with the Sealed Financial Source Documents cover sheet (FL All Family 011).

How is child support calculated in Washington?

Washington uses the Washington State Child Support Schedule in chapter 26.19 RCW. The court combines both parents' monthly net incomes, finds the basic support obligation for that income and the number of children in the economic table in RCW 26.19.020, and divides it between the parents by each parent's share of the combined net income (RCW 26.19.080(1)). Health care, day care, and special child rearing expenses are shared in the same proportion. Worksheets in the form developed by the Administrative Office of the Courts must be completed under penalty of perjury and filed in every proceeding in which child support is determined (RCW 26.19.035(3)).

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