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Escalation Clauses In Washington Child Support Awards, Michael E. Gossler

Washington Law Review

This comment analyzes the Washington courts' interpretation of the statutes providing for making and modifying child support awards and the policies these statutes are designed to effect. It concludes that the use of escalation clauses is consistent with the statutes and policies on which the Washington support system is based, and that the use of such clauses is a more effective means of promoting the state's policy of providing adequate child support than the traditional approach of awarding support in fixed amounts subject to court modification. Finally, the comment suggests one possible escalation device that seeks to accurately predict future …