Wash. Rev. Code » Title 26 · Chapter 26.09
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.120 (2026)

Support or maintenance payments—To whom paid

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) The court shall order support payments, including maintenance if child support is ordered, to be made to the Washington state support registry, or the person entitled to receive the payments under an order approved by the court as provided in RCW 26.23.050.
(2) Maintenance payments, when ordered in an action where there is no dependent child, may be ordered to be paid to the person entitled to receive the payments, or the clerk of the court as trustee for remittance to the persons entitled to receive the payments.
(3) If support or maintenance payments are made to the clerk of court, the clerk:
(a) Shall maintain records listing the amount of payments, the date when payments are required to be made, and the names and addresses of the parties affected by the order;
(b) May by local court rule accept only certified funds or cash as payment; and
(c) Shall accept only certified funds or cash for five years in all cases after one check has been returned for nonsufficient funds or account closure.
(4) The parties affected by the order shall inform the registry through which the payments are ordered to be paid of any change of address or of other conditions that may affect the administration of the order.
[ 2008 c 6 s 1015; 1994 c 230 s 2; 1989 c 360 s 11. Prior: 1987 c 435 s 15; 1987 c 363 s 5; 1983 1st ex.s. c 45 s 3; 1973 1st ex.s. c 157 s 12.]

Notes:

Part headings not law—Severability—2008 c 6: See RCW 26.60.900 and 26.60.901.
Effective date—1987 c 435: See RCW 26.23.900.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 5 cases (4 in the last 5 years), 1977–2026 · leading case: Fuqua v. Fuqua, 558 P.2d 801 (Wash. 1977).
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Fuqua v. Fuqua, 558 P.2d 801 (Wash. 1977). “2 Where, as here, support or maintenance funds are paid to the clerk of the Superior Court, RCW 26.09.120(2) (c) provides: The clerk of the court shall, if the party fails to make required payment, send by first class mail notice of the arrearage to the obligor.”
Janene Gordon, App./Cross-Resp. v. Scott K. Serven, Resp./Cross-App. (Wash. Ct. App. 2025). · cites it 3× “However, RCW 26.09.120(1) and RCW 26.23.050(2) contain permissive language and do not on their face address the concept of a back child support obligation that arises on remand.”
Janene Gordon, App./cross-resp. V. Scott K. Serven, Resp./cross-app. (Wash. Ct. App. 2025). · cites it 3× “However, RCW 26.09.120(1) and RCW 26.23.050(2) contain permissive language and do not on their face address the concept of a back child support obligation that arises on remand.”
Janene Gordon, App./cross-resp. V. Scott K. Serven, Resp./cross-app. (Wash. Ct. App. 2026). · cites it 3× “However, RCW 26.09.120(1) and RCW 26.23.050(2) contain permissive language and do not on their face address the concept of a back child support obligation that arises on remand.”
Pauline Ackermann, Respondent/cross App. V. Ronald Farrell, Appellant/cross Resp. (Wash. Ct. App. 2025). “But if a party demonstrates intransigence, the court may award attorney fees regardless of the factors enumerated in RCW 26.09.120. Mattson, 95 Wn. App. at 604 .”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.120(1) — 3 cases
Janene Gordon, App./Cross-Resp. v. Scott K. Serven, Resp./Cross-App. (Wash. Ct. App. 2025). “However, RCW 26.09.120(1) and RCW 26.23.050(2) contain permissive language and do not on their face address the concept of a back child support obligation that arises on remand.”
Janene Gordon, App./cross-resp. V. Scott K. Serven, Resp./cross-app. (Wash. Ct. App. 2025). “However, RCW 26.09.120(1) and RCW 26.23.050(2) contain permissive language and do not on their face address the concept of a back child support obligation that arises on remand.”
Janene Gordon, App./cross-resp. V. Scott K. Serven, Resp./cross-app. (Wash. Ct. App. 2026). “However, RCW 26.09.120(1) and RCW 26.23.050(2) contain permissive language and do not on their face address the concept of a back child support obligation that arises on remand.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 26.09.120(2) — 1 case
Fuqua v. Fuqua, 558 P.2d 801 (Wash. 1977). “2 Where, as here, support or maintenance funds are paid to the clerk of the Superior Court, RCW 26.09.120(2) (c) provides: The clerk of the court shall, if the party fails to make required payment, send by first class mail notice of the arrearage to the obligor.”
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