In Re Paternity Of Hewitt

Mark Negrie appeals a trial court's child support order. RCW 26.19.080(3) provides that long-distance travel costs "to and from the parents for visitation purposes" must be shared by the parents in the same proportion as the basic child support obligation. Here, we are asked to decide whether this rule applies when the parent, rather than the child, travels back and forth for visitation. Because the parenting plan in this case provides for regular visitation between Negrie and his son, and because the son is too young to travel alone, we hold that the general rule applies in this case. Therefore, the trial court abused its discretion in requiring Negrie to pay more than his proportionate share of the travel expenses. We reverse and remand the order of child support.