How to Respond to a Child Support Modification
You have been served with a Summons and Petition for Modification of Child Support
You DO NOT agree with the Child Support Modification
Step 1: Determine your response deadline
20 days
If you were served in person in Washington State.
60 days
If you were served in person outside of Washington State, or by publication.
90 days
If you were served by mail.
If you do not respond by the appropriate deadline, the court may enter an Order of Default
against you and the other party may receive everything in the Petition.
Forms may be downloaded for free at www.courts.wa.gov/forms or you may
purchase them at the Clerk’s Office
Step 2: Fill out these forms and make copies
Completed
Form Name
Form #
Notes
Response to
Petition to
Modify Child
Support
Order
FL Modify
502
Child Support
Worksheets
WSCSS -
Worksheets
Child Support
Schedule and
Instructions
WSCSS –
Schedule
Use these instructions to calculate the Child
Support Worksheets. online Child Support
Calculator available at:
https://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/dcs/SSGen/Home
Financial
Declaration
of (name)
FL All
Family 131
Fill out this form with your information. Some
sections require you to supply the court with the
other party’s information. If you do not have this
information, make the best estimate possible.
Sealed
Financial
Source
Documents
(Cover sheet)
You will need
2 of these
FL All
Family 011
Attach this cover sheet to the top of your financial
documents. The second cover sheet should be filed
at the same time and will be part of the court public
record.
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Declaration
of (name)
FL All
Family 135
This is your opportunity to explain your financial
situation and respond to the other person’s
information.
Gather the necessary financial documents, including:
W-2 and complete personal tax returns for the past 2 years
Your most recent pay stubs (at least 6 months)
Complete partnership/corporate tax returns for the past 2 years if you have a 5% interest or
more
Statements from all of your banks and financial institutions for the past month
Step 3: Copies needed
Original set to file with the Clerk
1 copy for your records
1 copy to give to the other party
1 copy to the Commissioner
1 copy to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, if you have children who have received public
assistance at some point.
Step 4: Serve the other party
You must give the other party a copy of the documents.
You may deliver or mail the documents yourself. If any of the party has an attorney, deliver or
mail the forms to the attorney instead. After you have delivered the forms to the other party
or attorney, fill out one of these forms
Completed
Form Name
Notes
Proof Personal
Service
Proof of Mailing or
Hand Delivery
Make a copy for yourself.
File the original with the Clerk’s Office
Step 5: After the other party has been served
File the ORIGINAL Proof of Personal Service or Proof of Mailing or Hand Delivery form with the
Clerk. Date stamp on your copy.
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Step 6: Fill out these forms and take to your hearing
Completed
Form Name
Form #
NOTES
Final Order and Findings on Petition
to Modify child Support Order
FL Modify 510
Fill this out the way you
want the court to decide
Child Support Order
FL All Family
130
Child Support Worksheets
WSCSS -
Worksheets
Keep the Originals for yourself (bring them with you to your court hearing).
Deliver a copy to the other parent
Deliver a copy to the Commissioner
Deliver a copy to the Prosecuting Attorney (if applicable)
Make sure the Commissioner has a copy of the forms listed below before your court date
Response to Petition to Modify Child Support Order
Financial Declaration
Sealed Financial Source Documents
Declaration
Child Support Order
Final Order and Findings on Petition to Modify Child Support Order
Child Support Worksheets
Step 7: Attend the hearing
Take all your paperwork, including all documents you were served
These instructions are legal information, not legal advice.
All of the above mentioned forms can be found on the Washington State Court website:
www.courts.wa.gov/forms.
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