Focus on What Matters Most

Child Support

A diverse family of three sitting on a deck eating Asian cuisine from bowls, with a table in front of them holding drinks and food, and a green outdoor yard in the background.

Child Support

The amount of child support depends on the income of the parents. Income used to calculate child support includes salaries, wages, commissions, bonuses, dividends, severance pay, pensions and more. Income may also include social security payments, benefits for veterans, disability, etc. Child support can also be impacted by the custodial arrangement. Consulting an attorney can help you better understand your obligation.

To find out how we can help with child support in Loudoun County, VA, please call our Ashburn, VA office at (703) 443-4762 or Schedule a Consultation.

Key Facts About Child Support in Virginia

  • Calculated by Statute: Virginia uses guidelines under Virginia Code § 20‑108.2 to calculate child support based on both parents’ gross incomes, number of children, and certain expenses like health insurance and childcare.

  • Covers Basic Needs: Child support is intended to help cover a child’s essential living expenses—housing, food, clothing, education, and medical care—not luxury or discretionary items such as private school.

  • Shared Custody Affects the Amount: If the child spends more than 90 overnights per year with each parent, a shared custody formula applies.

  • Modifiable if Circumstances Change: Either parent can request a modification if there is a material change in circumstances, such as a significant change in income, custody, or the child’s needs.

  • Enforced Through DCSE or Court: Child support orders can be enforced through the Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) or directly through the court with remedies including wage garnishment or contempt.

Important Facts About Child Support and Divorcing Families

  • Child Support Is the Child’s Right: In Virginia, child support is not optional—both parents share a legal duty to support their child financially, regardless of custody arrangements or remarriage.

  • Support Is Based on Income and Custody: The amount is calculated using both parents’ gross incomes and the number of overnights the child spends with each parent.

  • Health Insurance and Childcare Are Included: Costs for the child’s health insurance premiums and reasonable work-related childcare expenses are factored into the support calculation.

  • Support Typically Continues Until Age 18 (or 19): Child support ends when the child turns 18, unless they are still in high school and living at home, in which case it can continue until age 19 or graduation, whichever comes first.