Both parents have a legal duty to provide financial support for their children. A court may order regular payments for a child’s living and medical expenses.

Child support is determined using the Lummi Nation Child Support Guidelines. The guidelines consider financial resources, income, and custodial arrangements.

The controlling court order remains in effect unless and until the court enters a new order.

• Reviewing questions about an existing child support order.
• Updating your address, telephone number, or other contact information.
• Reviewing reported employment or income changes.
• Explaining payment and income-withholding information.
• Reviewing whether a support order may qualify for modification.
• Explaining enforcement activity.
• Coordinating with another tribal, state, or child support agency.

• Your mailing or residential address.
• Your telephone number or other contact information.
• Your employer or employment status.
• Your income or financial circumstances.
• The child’s residence or custodial arrangement.
• Health insurance or medical-support information.
• Another child support or custody order.
• A parent moving into or outside another jurisdiction.

A child support obligation changes only after the court enters a new order. Continue following the existing order unless the court modifies it.

Contact your assigned case manager to request a review when there has been a substantial change in circumstances.

Examples may include significant changes involving:

• Income or employment.
• The child’s residence or custodial arrangement.
• Health insurance or medical-support costs.
• Other circumstances relevant under the applicable child support guidelines.

Requesting a review does not guarantee that the order will be modified. Any change must follow the applicable legal process and be approved by the court.

Child support is generally determined using the Lummi Nation Child Support Guidelines.

The guidelines consider financial resources and custodial arrangements. Most cases use the guideline amount, although the court may approve a different amount when the legal requirements for a deviation are met.

Income the Court May Consider

Depending on the circumstances and applicable law, income may include:

• Salaries and wages.
• Fishing or self-employment income.
• Stipends, tips, commissions, and bonuses.
• Per capita payments.
• Pensions, unemployment, disability, or workers’ compensation.
• Interest, dividends, trust income, annuities, or capital gains.
• Gifts, gaming winnings, prizes, and other recognized income sources.

What if a Parent Has No Income?

When reliable income information is unavailable, the guidelines may allow income to be imputed based on circumstances recognized by Lummi law.

Is a New Spouse’s Income Included?

A parent’s support obligation is separate. A new spouse’s wages or assets are not used to establish or modify that parent’s child support obligation.

Available enforcement tools may include:

• Income withholding.
• Contempt proceedings.
• License suspension.
• Publication when authorized by the court.
• Seizure of nonexempt property.
• Coordination with another tribal, state, or child support agency.

Many child support payments are collected through income withholding.

Employer pay schedules may divide the monthly support obligation across weekly, biweekly, or other pay periods.

What if Too Much Is Being Withheld?

Contact your assigned case manager promptly so the withholding and controlling order can be reviewed.

Direct payments to the custodial parent or child may be treated as gifts rather than registry child support payments.

Payments should be made through the Child Support Registry unless the controlling order provides otherwise.

Child support generally continues until the child reaches the age specified by Lummi law or the controlling child support order.

Support may continue for high school or postsecondary education when ordered by the court.

Past-due support may remain enforceable after current support ends.

LNCSP Does Not Handle Custody or Visitation Representation

The Lummi Nation Child Support Program handles parentage and child support matters.

Custody and visitation issues must be addressed separately through the appropriate court process. Program staff cannot provide personal legal representation or legal advice.

Safety or Good-Cause Concerns

A caretaker may be able to claim good cause when establishing or enforcing an order may cause physical or emotional harm. Supporting information may be required from a court, medical provider, child protection agency, social services agency, or another credible authority. Contact LNCSP to discuss safety concerns privately.

Child Support and TANF

Collected support may be forwarded to the appropriate TANF agency to reimburse assistance paid to the family.

After TANF assistance ends, current support may be paid to the family. Distribution of past-due support depends on when the debt accrued and which agency or person is legally entitled to receive it.

LNCSP may work with other states, tribes, and in some circumstances other countries to establish, recognize, enforce, or review a child support order.

Jurisdiction depends on the controlling order, the residence of the parties and child, tribal affiliation, and other facts of the case.

Contact Your Assigned Case Manager

Case-specific questions depend on the controlling order, payment history, jurisdiction, and facts of the case. Contact the program so your assigned case manager can review your concern.

Call (360) 312-2235

Office Location

Lummi Nation Child Support Program
Child Support Department
2665 Kwina Road
Bellingham, WA 98226

Walk-ins are accepted. No after-hours document or payment drop-off is available.

Phone, Fax, and Hours

Phone: (360) 312-2235
Fax: (360) 380-6988
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

A shared public email address is not currently available. Please call the office for email submission instructions.