Child Support Calculations in Virginia

Virginia uses the Income Shares model to calculate child support, governed by Va. Code §20-108.2. The Guidelines were updated in 2025 with revised support amounts and an expanded income cap. Whether you're navigating an uncontested or contested divorce, understanding how Virginia calculates child support is essential.

The Income Shares Model

Virginia's Income Shares model determines the basic child support obligation from a statutory schedule based on combined monthly gross income and the number of children. The Schedule of Monthly Basic Child Support Obligations runs through $42,500 combined monthly gross income.

Above the cap: For combined income exceeding $42,500/month, add the table amount at $42,500 plus a percentage of the excess:

• 1 child: 2.6% of excess
• 2 children: 3.4% of excess
• 3 children: 3.8% of excess
• 4 children: 4.2% of excess
• 5 children: 4.6% of excess
• 6 children: 5.0% of excess

Determining Gross Income

"Gross income" includes all income from all sources:

• Salaries, wages, commissions, bonuses, and severance pay
• Self-employment and business income (minus reasonable expenses, but not depreciation)
• Rental income, dividends, interest, and capital gains
• Pensions, retirement distributions, Social Security, and VA benefits
• Workers' compensation, unemployment, and disability benefits
• Spousal support received (spousal support paid is deducted)

Key deductions: Half of self-employment tax, preexisting court-ordered child support actually paid, and a deduction for "other children in the household" (your own guideline amount for those children).

Excluded: Public assistance benefits, SSI, child support received, and secondary employment income obtained solely to pay arrears.

Custody Arrangements: Sole, Shared, and Split

Virginia uses three calculation tracks based on custody:

• Sole Custody: One parent has the child most of the time. Basic obligation plus add-ons are allocated by income shares.
• Shared Custody: Applies when a parent has more than 90 days per year (91+). The basic obligation is multiplied by 1.4 to account for two-household costs, then allocated based on income and time shares.
• Split Custody: When each parent has primary custody of at least one child. Calculate separate sole-custody amounts for each household and offset (higher minus lower).

Important: If the shared formula would produce a lesser amount than sole custody, the lesser amount applies. If shared custody would flip the payee, the statute prevents that reversal.

Estimate Your Virginia Child Support

Use our calculator to get a preliminary estimate. For official calculations, use the Virginia child support worksheets (DC-637, DC-638, DC-640).

Minimum Order and Low-Income Protection

Virginia's minimum presumptive order is $68 per month. However, if the obligor's gross income is at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, the court may set support below this minimum upon evidence of inability to pay—but not so low as to "seriously impair the custodial parent's ability to maintain minimal adequate housing and provide other basic necessities for the child."

Health Insurance, Childcare, and Add-Ons

Beyond the basic obligation, Virginia requires allocation of additional expenses:

• Child's health insurance: The cost-per-person for health, dental, and vision coverage is added and allocated by income shares
• Work-related childcare: Necessary childcare costs are added and shared proportionally; courts may consider tax benefits
• Unreimbursed medical/dental: All reasonable and necessary amounts are shared pro rata (no $250 threshold since 2014 reforms)
• Pregnancy/delivery costs: If proceedings begin within six months of birth, these are allocated pro rata

Common Calculation Mistakes

• Wrong custody track: The 90-day threshold is critical—91+ days triggers shared custody, not 90
• Forgetting the 1.4 multiplier: Shared custody requires multiplying the basic obligation by 1.4
• Miscounting "days": A "day" usually means 24 hours; partial days with an overnight may count as 0.5 for each parent
• Ignoring above-cap rules: For income over $42,500/month, don't extrapolate—use the specified percentages
• Missing other-children deduction: If you support other children in your household, you may qualify for a deduction

Modification and Duration

Virginia allows modification upon "material change in circumstances." Key rules:

• DCSE review cycle: Generally every 36 months; earlier review requires a "significant change" (typically 25%+ change in income or major costs)
• Incarceration: 180+ consecutive days is a material change and is not treated as voluntary unemployment
• No retroactivity: Modifications cannot go back earlier than the date notice of the petition was served
• Consistent failure to exercise time: If a parent doesn't use their shared-custody time, there's a rebuttable presumption the order should be modified

Duration: Support ends at age 18, or at 19/high school graduation for full-time high school students. Courts may order support for severely and permanently disabled adult children who cannot live independently.

Enforcement and Interest

Virginia provides robust enforcement tools:

• Interest on arrears: 6% per year (judgment rate) unless the obligee waives in writing
• Income withholding: Required in administrative orders; automatic upon default
• License suspension: Driver's, professional, and recreational licenses when 90+ days or $5,000 delinquent
• Tax refund intercepts: State (as low as $25 arrears) and federal offsets
• Passport denial: For arrears exceeding $2,500

Key Takeaways

• Income Shares model: Basic obligation from schedule, allocated by income shares
• $42,500/month cap: Above this, add specified percentages of excess income
• 91+ days = shared custody: Uses 1.4x multiplier for two-household costs
• $68/month minimum: With 150% FPL exception for low-income obligors
• Add-ons required: Health insurance, childcare, and unreimbursed medical shared pro rata
• 6% interest: Accrues on arrears at judgment rate

For more information about Virginia divorce processes, see our Virginia divorce timeline and filing checklist.