Virginia Child Support Calculator
Calculate estimated child support using Virginia's official guidelines
About Virginia's Guidelines
Income Shares Model
Note: Uses gross income, shared custody for 90+ days
Key Information
- •Model: Income Shares
- •Income Cap: $35,000/month combined
- •Last Updated: January 15, 2024
Common Deviation Factors
Monthly Income
Children & Custody
Additional Monthly Expenses
Estimates only — not legal advice. Consult a Virginia family law attorney for official calculations.
Official Virginia Court Forms
Download official court forms from the Virginia judiciary website. These are free, legally valid forms for your family court case.
Child Support Forms
Official petitions & worksheets
Modification Forms
Request changes to orders
Financial Disclosure
Income & expense statements
These links go to official Virginia court websites. Forms are free and provided by the state judiciary.
Virginia Child Support Guidelines
Virginia uses the Virginia Child Support Guidelines (VA Code § 20-108.2) to determine child support obligations. Under the Income Shares model, both parents' incomes are combined to estimate what the family would have spent on the child if the household were intact. The obligation is then divided proportionally based on each parent's contribution to combined gross income.
Virginia has several distinctive features in its child support system. Virginia uses 90 days (approximately 25%) as the shared custody threshold — one of the lower thresholds among income-shares states. The state has a "split custody" provision when each parent has primary custody of at least one child. Virginia explicitly includes imputed income for parents who are voluntarily unemployed or underemployed based on their education and work history.
Virginia bases calculations on gross income — meaning income before taxes and deductions. This includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, and other sources. The self-support reserve in Virginia is $1,350/month, ensuring the paying parent retains enough income to cover basic living expenses.
How Virginia Calculates Child Support
Virginia follows a 5-step process under the Virginia Child Support Guidelines (VA Code § 20-108.2):
- 1
Calculate each parent's gross monthly income from all sources
- 2
For sole custody: combine incomes, find basic obligation, prorate by income share
- 3
For shared custody (90+ days each): multiply basic obligation by 1.4, prorate by income share, adjust for time-sharing, offset
- 4
For split custody: calculate separate obligations for each child placement
- 5
Add proportional shares of health insurance and work-related childcare
Income Thresholds & Key Numbers in Virginia
Maximum Income Cap
$35,000/mo
Self-Support Reserve
$1,350/mo
Shared Custody Threshold
90 nights/yr
25% of overnights
Income Basis
gross
Sample Obligation Schedule
| Combined Monthly Income | 1 Child | 2 Children | 3 Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | $255 | $368 | $440 |
| $3,000 | $460 | $670 | $812 |
| $5,000 | $670 | $982 | $1,192 |
| $8,000 | $925 | $1,365 | $1,660 |
| $12,000 | $1,200 | $1,775 | $2,162 |
| $20,000 | $1,610 | $2,382 | $2,902 |
* Simplified schedule. Actual amounts may vary based on additional factors.
Custody Time Adjustments in Virginia
Virginia recognizes "Shared Custody" when the non-custodial parent has the children for at least 90 overnights per year (approximately 25% of the time). When this threshold is met, the standard child support formula is adjusted to reflect the increased direct expenses borne by both parents.
Under Virginia's Income Shares approach, the shared parenting adjustment typically calculates each parent's obligation based on their income share, then applies a credit or cross-calculation that accounts for the time each parent directly supports the child. The more overnights the non-custodial parent has, the greater the reduction in their payment — but the adjustment is not dollar-for-dollar because fixed costs like housing don't decrease when the child is away.
Below 90 overnights, Virginia generally treats the arrangement as a sole custody situation with standard visitation, and no custody time adjustment is applied to the child support calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Virginia Child Support
What is Virginia's shared custody threshold?
What is the income cap in Virginia?
How to Reduce Child Support Costs in Virginia
While child support is determined by Virginia's guidelines, there are legitimate ways to ensure your obligation is calculated fairly.
Increase Parenting Time
In Virginia, more overnights with your children can reduce your support obligation. Document actual time spent and request a formal custody modification if needed.
Ensure Accurate Income Reporting
Both parents' incomes must be reported accurately. Verify that bonuses, overtime, and variable income are averaged correctly over the appropriate period.
Claim All Allowable Deductions
Virginia allows deductions for items like mandatory retirement contributions, union dues, and health insurance premiums. Make sure all qualifying deductions are included.
Request a Modification When Eligible
If your income has decreased by 15-25% or more, you may qualify for a modification. File promptly — changes are typically not retroactive before the filing date.
Account for Other Children
If you have other children you're legally obligated to support, this can be factored into the calculation as a deduction in most states.
Review Healthcare & Childcare Costs
Ensure shared expenses like health insurance and childcare are divided proportionally. If costs have changed, update the court.
Key Facts About Child Support in Virginia
Calculation Model
Income Shares
Guidelines Source
State Statute
Review Frequency
Every 4 Years
Income Cap
$35,000/mo
Last Updated
January 15, 2024
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