Virginia Child Support Laws

Table of Contents

Quick Summary: Virginia Child Support

  • Guideline Model: Income Shares Model
  • Statutory Minimum: Presumptive minimum exists; exemptions apply for certain circumstances
  • Age of Termination: 18 (or 19 if still in high school)
  • Modification Threshold: Every 3 years, or upon material change in circumstances
  • Low-Income Threshold: 150% of federal poverty level triggers special consideration
  • Governing Statute: Virginia Code Section 20-108.2
  • Agency: Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE), Virginia Department of Social Services

How to Apply for Child Support in Virginia

The Virginia Department of Social Services through the DCSE (Division of Child Support Enforcement) has the authority to provide upkeep services including paternity establishment, location of biological and putative parents, child support order establishment and modification, collection and distribution of child support, and the collection and distribution of medical support payments.

To apply, visit the MyChild Support Customer Service portal and create an account.

Alternatively, you may download the linked application form below, complete it, then mail it to P.O. BOX 570, RICHMOND, VA 23218-0570, or drop it at the nearest child support office in your area.

Virginia Support Enforcement Services Application (EN).

You may also call 1-800-468-8894 if you have any questions.

What to remember:

  • Parents who have never received TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) must pay an annual $25 service fee. You may also have to pay attorney, intercept, genetic testing, and other applicable fees.
  • All parents subject to child support orders must provide their social security numbers to the DCSE.
  • The DCSE cannot provide legal assistance to you. Consult or work with a family court attorney if necessary.
  • The DCSE expects you to provide as much information as you can, cooperate, communicate, and either parent must keep the agency informed of changes in your financial circumstances.
  • Failure to communicate promptly may cause DCSE to close your case.

How is Paternity Established in Virginia?

Virginia child support laws work under the presumption that if a child is born to a married couple, or if the couple was married at least ten months before a child’s birth, then the man is the father.

There are four ways to establish paternity in Virginia:

  1. Marriage: As explained above.
  2. Voluntary Acknowledgement of Paternity (VOP): Both parents sign a VOP form at the hospital after childbirth or later at any child support office.
  3. Administrative Order: Open a child support case through the DCSE and establish paternity via administrative order.
  4. Judicial Establishment: Petition the court to require the other parent to take a paternity test.

If you are unsure of a child’s paternity, request a paternity application form here or call 1-800-468-8894.

What to remember:

  • Paternity establishment grants the father legal rights and responsibilities including visitation, upkeep payment, medical support, and custody rights.
  • The DCSE charges $30 per person for DNA testing.
  • Paternity establishment grants the child inheritance rights and other benefits including certain types of social security or veteran benefits.
  • Either parent may petition the court for a paternity test.

How is Child Support Determined in Virginia?

According to Virginia child support guidelines, the courts or DCSE determine child support as follows:

  1. Combine the gross incomes of both parents. Gross income refers to income(s) from all sources.
  2. Cross-reference the parents’ combined gross income(s) with the state Schedule of Monthly Basic Child Support Obligation table.
  3. To the basic obligation, add the cost of health insurance and child care expenses.
  4. The resulting amount is the total child support obligation, which is then apportioned between the parents based on their respective incomes.

How to Calculate Child Support in Virginia

The worksheet you use depends on the nature of your custody arrangement. Parents who have sole custody may use Va. Code 20-108.2 Child Support Guidelines Worksheet. If you have split or joint custody, complete the shared custody worksheet.

Code of Virginia 20-108.2 B. reads in part: “For purposes of the application of the guideline, a basic child support obligation shall be computed using the schedule set out below. For combined monthly gross income amounts falling between amounts shown in the schedule, basic child support obligation amounts shall be extrapolated. However, unless one of the following exemptions applies where the sole custody child support obligation as computed pursuant to subdivision G 1 is less than the statutory minimum per month, there shall be a presumptive minimum child support obligation of the statutory minimum per month payable by the payor parent.”

Low-Income Provision: If the gross income of the obligor is equal to or less than 150 percent of the federal poverty level, then the court, upon hearing evidence that there is no ability to pay the presumptive statutory minimum, may set an obligation below the presumptive statutory minimum provided doing so does not create or reduce a support obligation to an amount which seriously impairs the custodial parent’s ability to maintain minimal adequate housing and provide other basic necessities for the child.

Exemptions from minimum obligation include:

  • Parents institutionalized in a psychiatric facility
  • Parents imprisoned for life with no chance of parole
  • Parents medically verified to be totally and permanently disabled with no evidence of potential for paying child support, including recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Parents otherwise involuntarily unable to produce income

Using the table or online calculators will only produce estimates. Your court-ordered amount might be different. Virginia child support guidelines allow the judge to deviate. 22VAC40-880-240 (Administrative Deviation) says that grounds for deviation in Virginia include factors such as monetary support for other families, voluntary unemployment or underemployment, upkeep-related debts, cost of insurance, and so on.

How to Modify Child Support in Virginia

In Virginia, a petition for modification for a child support order may increase, decrease child support, or neither. Before you push for modification, you should have a good reason.

Virginia child support laws allow upkeep order reviews every three years after entry, modification, or review. However, before the three-year waiting period is over, a parent may only petition for review if he or she experiences a current and continuing change in financial circumstances. For example, if the custody arrangement changes or if one child gets emancipated, the paying parent may petition the court for a reduction.

On the other hand, if the cost of medical insurance changes or if the other parent’s income increases, you may petition the court for an increase.

To request a review, you must submit a written request to the office of child support enforcement along with any supporting documents. The parents may also agree on changes amongst themselves and avoid having to go to court.

Download Request for Review and Adjustment Form Here.

What to remember:

  • To apply for a review, you must also submit financial forms, health insurance verification form along with the Review and Adjustment Packet (linked above).
  • The burden of proof is on the petitioning parent, so gather as much evidence as you can.
  • You may only withdraw a written review request via a written request.
  • You may request a review if child care expenses increase or decrease by at least 25%.

For modification services, contact the DSS through 1-800-468-8894.

What Happens if You Do Not Pay Child Support in Virginia?

Like in all states, all child support orders in Virginia contain an income withholding order. Once a child support order is established, the law requires the paying parent’s employer to garnish child support directly from the payor’s salary, wages, or income.

The DCSE or court may enforce child support using the following tools:

  • Liens on property: If your child support arrears are equal to or greater than $1,000, the DCSE may place a renewable lien on your property that preserves the debt for 20 years.
  • Order to withhold/order to deliver: This option gives the DCSE the option to garnish child support from the delinquent parent’s bank account or other assets.
  • Seizure and sale: The DCSE may seize and sell the non-custodial parent’s assets through the SAFE (Seize Assets for Enforcement) program.
  • License suspension: The DCSE, through other state agencies, may suspend the delinquent parent’s driver’s, recreational, or business license.
  • State, local, and federal income tax intercept.
  • If the paying parent is in the military, the DCSE may apply additional remedies.

What to remember:

  • Longarm provisions (UIFSA): This option permits Virginia to claim personal jurisdiction over a parent in another state.
  • Instead of jail, the court may refer the delinquent parent to the Intensive Case Monitor Program.

Contempt of Court Charges and Criminal Nonsupport in Virginia

According to Virginia Child Support Guidelines, failure to pay child support is a misdemeanor that is punishable by up to 12 months in jail and/or a $500 fine. The judge may also place the parent on a 12-month work release program.

If a parent willfully and knowingly fails to provide child support in Virginia, he or she may face criminal contempt or civil contempt charges. In either case, the judge will summon the accused to explain his or her failure.

What to remember:

  • The amount of child support owed determines whether the court will pursue felony or misdemeanor charges.
  • To avoid enforcement action, parents should contact the DCSE or court whenever your financial circumstances change.
  • The DCSE only resorts to court action after it exhausts the enforcement options above.
  • Incarceration is usually the last resort in child support cases. You can avoid it by paying your arrears or by establishing a payment plan.

When Does Child Support End in Virginia?

Your child support order should include the date when payments will cease. Normally child support terminates on the child’s 18th birthday or 19th if the child is in high school.

If the child is disabled mentally or physically, support may continue indefinitely. Also, agreements to provide college or university tuition may extend your obligation until you honor the terms of the contract.

How to End Child Support Early in Virginia

Emancipation is the only way to end child support early in Virginia.

This happens when a minor who is at least 16, guardian, or parent petitions the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court for emancipation. Talk to a juvenile court attorney to see if you qualify.

If you are 16, Virginia child support laws require that you have a legal source of income and the skills and resources necessary to handle your affairs including housing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Virginia consider both parents’ incomes for child support?

Yes. Virginia uses the Income Shares Model, which considers the combined gross incomes of both parents. The total child support obligation is then divided proportionally based on each parent’s share of the combined income.

What is the statutory minimum child support in Virginia?

Virginia has a presumptive minimum child support obligation. The exact amount varies based on the number of children and is set forth in the Schedule of Monthly Basic Child Support Obligations. Exemptions apply for parents who are incarcerated for life, institutionalized, totally disabled, or otherwise involuntarily unable to produce income.

Can child support be modified if I lose my job in Virginia?

Yes, but you must act promptly. Job loss that is involuntary constitutes a “material change in circumstances.” However, you must petition the court or DCSE for modification. Child support does not automatically decrease. Until modified, you remain responsible for the original amount.

How long does Virginia have to collect back child support?

Virginia can enforce child support arrears indefinitely. There is no statute of limitations on collecting past-due child support. The DCSE can place liens on property that last 20 years and are renewable.

Can I get child support if we were never married in Virginia?

Yes. Marital status does not affect your right to child support. However, paternity must be legally established first through an Acknowledgment of Paternity (VOP) or court order before child support can be ordered against an unmarried father.

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