Child Support in Virginia: Guidelines and Calculations

A couple in Fairfax County with two children and a combined gross income of $180,000 expected a child support figure based on the old Virginia guidelines, which capped at $35,000 per month in combined gross income. When the updated guidelines took effect on July 1, 2025, the cap jumped to $42,500 per month — and the formula for high-income families changed from judicial guesswork to a structured calculation. Their support number shifted by several hundred dollars per month. The new guidelines affected thousands of Virginia families, particularly in the Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads areas where dual-income households routinely exceed the old cap.

Understanding how Virginia calculates child support helps you plan financially and negotiate effectively. This guide covers the current formula under Code of Virginia Section 20-108.2, the 2025 updates, how shared custody affects the calculation, and the rules for modification and enforcement. For a national overview, see our guide on child custody laws explained, and try our child support calculator for a quick estimate.

How Virginia Calculates Child Support

Virginia uses the Income Shares Model for child support, the same framework used by approximately 40 states. The principle: children should receive the same share of parental income they would have received if the family remained intact.

The calculation combines both parents’ gross monthly incomes, determines the total child support obligation from a statutory schedule, and divides that obligation between the parents based on each one’s share of the combined income.

Step-by-Step Calculation

Step 1: Determine each parent’s gross monthly income. Virginia defines gross income broadly as “all income from all sources,” including:

• Wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, overtime
• Self-employment income
• Dividends, interest, rental income, trust income
• Social Security, veterans’ benefits, disability benefits
• Unemployment compensation, workers’ compensation
• Spousal support received (from another case)
• Pensions and retirement income

Step 2: Apply deductions. Certain deductions reduce gross income:

• Federal and state income taxes (based on tax tables)
• Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA)
• Mandatory retirement contributions
• Support obligations for other children

Step 3: Combine both parents’ adjusted incomes. The combined monthly gross income determines where the case falls on the statutory support schedule. As of July 2025, the schedule covers combined gross incomes up to $42,500 per month (up from $35,000 previously).

Step 4: Find the basic support amount. Using the schedule in Section 20-108.2, look up the combined income and number of children. This gives the total monthly child support obligation.

Step 5: Add supplemental costs. Health insurance premiums for the children, work-related childcare costs, and extraordinary medical or dental expenses are added to the basic obligation.

Step 6: Divide proportionally. Each parent’s share equals their percentage of the combined gross income. If Parent A earns 65% and Parent B earns 35%, those percentages apply to the total obligation.

Step 7: Credit the paying parent. The non-custodial parent’s share, minus any direct costs they pay (such as the child’s health insurance), becomes the monthly child support payment.

The July 2025 Guideline Updates

The overhaul of Section 20-108.2, effective July 1, 2025, made several significant changes:

Higher income cap. The presumptive guidelines now cover combined gross monthly incomes up to $42,500 (previously $35,000). This means more families fall within the guidelines rather than being left to judicial discretion.

Structured high-income formula. For families above the old $35,000 cap, courts previously had broad discretion to set support amounts. The new law replaces that approach with a formula-based calculation, providing more predictability.

Updated schedule amounts. The support schedule itself was recalculated to reflect current economic data on the cost of raising children.

These changes affect both new cases and existing orders that come up for modification. If your combined gross income exceeds $35,000 per month and you have a pre-July 2025 order, the new guidelines could meaningfully change your support amount.

Sole Custody vs. Shared Custody Calculations

Virginia uses different calculation methods depending on the parenting time arrangement.

Sole Custody Guidelines

Used when one parent has the child for more than 275 days per year (75%+ of the time). The basic formula applies: calculate the total obligation, divide by income share, and the non-custodial parent pays their proportional share.

Shared Custody Guidelines

Used when each parent has the child for at least 90 days per year (approximately 25% of the time). The shared custody formula adjusts the obligation to reflect each parent’s direct spending during their custodial time.

Under shared custody, the calculation:

1. Determines each parent’s basic support obligation using the sole custody schedule
2. Multiplies each parent’s obligation by 1.4 (a shared custody multiplier)
3. Credits each parent for the percentage of time the child spends with them
4. The parent with the higher income share typically pays the difference

The shared custody adjustment generally reduces the support amount compared to sole custody because the parent with more parenting time is spending directly on the child during their custodial days.

Split Custody

When parents have two or more children and each parent has primary custody of at least one child, Virginia uses a split custody formula. Each parent’s support obligation for the children in the other parent’s custody is calculated separately, and the amounts are offset.

What Counts as Income (and What Doesn’t)

Virginia’s definition of gross income is broad, but there are limits.

Included:

• All employment income (wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, tips, overtime)
• Self-employment earnings (gross receipts minus reasonable business expenses)
• Investment income (dividends, interest, capital gains, rental income)
• Government benefits (Social Security, VA benefits, disability, unemployment, workers’ compensation)
• Retirement income (pensions, annuities, IRA distributions)
• Trust and estate income
• Spousal support received from another case

Not included:

• Benefits from public assistance programs (TANF, SNAP, SSI)
• Child support received for other children
• Income of a new spouse or partner (though a court may consider how a new spouse’s income affects the parent’s expenses)

Imputed Income

If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, Virginia courts may impute income — assigning an earning capacity based on education, work history, skills, and job market conditions. The court examines whether the parent’s reduced income is voluntary and whether they have made reasonable efforts to earn at their capacity.

A mother in Richmond left a $90,000 administrative position to take a part-time job paying $30,000. She argued she wanted more time with the children. The court imputed income at $75,000, finding that while some income reduction was reasonable, the full drop was not justified by the children’s needs or her personal circumstances.

Health Insurance and Medical Costs

Health insurance for the children is a mandatory component of Virginia child support orders. The court determines which parent provides coverage based on availability and cost.

• The child’s share of health insurance premiums is added to the basic support obligation and divided proportionally
• Extraordinary or uninsured medical, dental, and mental health expenses are typically split based on income shares
• If neither parent has employer-sponsored coverage, the court may order coverage through the marketplace or Medicaid/FAMIS (Virginia’s children’s health insurance program)

Modifying Child Support

Virginia child support orders can be modified when circumstances change.

Material Change in Circumstances

To modify support outside of a routine review, you must show a material change in circumstances. Qualifying changes include:

• Job loss or significant income change (at least 25% change in income or health insurance premiums)
• Change in custody or parenting time arrangement
• Increased childcare or medical expenses
• Emancipation of one child (when multiple children are covered)
• The new July 2025 guidelines themselves (for pre-existing orders)

Periodic Review

Every 36 months, either parent can request a review and adjustment through the Virginia Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) without showing a material change. The DCSE recalculates support based on current income and the current guidelines.

Effective Date

Modifications are effective from the date the motion is filed with the court, not retroactively. If your circumstances change, file promptly.

When Child Support Ends

In Virginia, child support terminates when the child emancipates. Emancipation typically occurs when:

• The child turns 18 (unless still in high school full-time)
• The child turns 19 (if still enrolled full-time in high school at age 18)
• The child marries
• The child enters active military service
• The child becomes self-supporting

Virginia does not require parents to pay for college expenses. Unlike New Jersey, Virginia courts cannot order a parent to contribute to post-secondary education costs. Support ends at emancipation regardless of whether the child attends college.

Enforcement

Virginia has robust enforcement tools for child support, administered through the Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE).

• Income withholding — the default method; support is deducted directly from wages
• Tax refund interception — federal and state refunds redirected to cover arrears
• License suspension — driver’s, professional, and recreational licenses
• Passport denial — for arrears exceeding $2,500
• Credit reporting — delinquent support reported to credit bureaus
• Contempt of court — willful failure to pay can result in fines and jail time
• Liens — placed on property, bank accounts, or insurance settlements

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is child support in Virginia for one child?

It depends on both parents’ gross incomes and the parenting time arrangement. As a rough example, for combined gross monthly income of $10,000 with one child under sole custody, the basic monthly obligation is approximately $900 to $1,000 before adjustments for health insurance and childcare. Use Virginia’s online child support calculator or our child support calculator for an estimate based on your numbers.

Does child support end at 18 in Virginia?

Usually, yes. Child support ends when the child turns 18. However, if the child is still a full-time high school student at 18, support continues until graduation or age 19, whichever comes first. Virginia does not extend support for college.

How does shared custody affect child support in Virginia?

When each parent has the child for at least 90 days per year, Virginia uses the shared custody formula. This multiplies each parent’s obligation by 1.4 and then credits each parent for their share of custodial time. The result is generally a lower support payment compared to the sole custody formula because the paying parent is covering direct costs during their parenting time.

Can child support be modified if I lose my job?

Yes. Job loss constitutes a material change in circumstances that justifies a modification. File a motion promptly — modifications are effective from the filing date, not retroactively. If you voluntarily quit, the court may impute income based on your earning capacity rather than your actual (lower) income.

Does the new partner’s income affect child support in Virginia?

No. A new spouse’s or partner’s income is not included in the child support calculation. However, the court may consider how a new partner’s contributions reduce the parent’s personal expenses, potentially freeing up more income for support. The new partner is not legally responsible for your children’s support.

How This Guide Was Researched

This guide was created by reviewing publicly available legal information from official state statutes, judiciary websites, court resources, and family law publications. The goal is to explain family law topics in plain English so readers can better understand the process before speaking with an attorney.

Sources and Legal References

This guide is based on publicly available legal information and official sources, including:

• Code of Virginia Section 20-108.2 — Child Support Guidelines
• Virginia DCSE — Child Support Obligation Calculator
• Virginia Child Support Guidelines Worksheet (Form DC-637)
• Updated Virginia Child Support Laws — Bean, Kinney & Korman

Official Virginia Resources

• Virginia Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE)
• Virginia Judicial System — Court Self-Help
• Virginia Legislature — Code of Virginia, Title 20
• Virginia Legal Aid

For more about how we research our guides, see our editorial policy and sources methodology.

Related Guides

Learn more about related family law topics:

• Divorce in Virginia
• Child Custody in Virginia
• Child Support Calculator
• Child Custody Laws Explained
• How Much Does Divorce Cost?
• The Complete Guide to Divorce
• Get a Free Consultation

Last updated: March 2026. This guide summarizes general legal information based on publicly available sources and is provided for educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.