Virginia
How is child support calculated in Virginia?
Quick answer
Virginia child support is set by the guideline in Va. Code § 20-108.2. The court combines both parents’ monthly gross incomes, finds the basic obligation for that income and number of children in the statutory schedule, adds health care coverage and work-related child care costs, and divides the total by each parent’s share of the combined income. The guideline amount is a rebuttable presumption (§ 20-108.1(B)).
Researched by Dan Martin, Legal Researcher · Published by Onbello Legal · Last updated October 2026
Gross income
Gross income means all income from all sources, including wages, bonuses, pensions, unemployment and disability benefits, spousal support received, rental income, gifts, prizes, and awards. It excludes public assistance benefits as defined in § 63.2-100, federal Supplemental Security Income, child support received, and certain secondary employment income used to pay an arrearage under a court or administrative order (§ 20-108.2(C)). Spousal support paid under an order or written agreement and one-half of self-employment tax are deducted.
Added costs
The cost of health care coverage for the children, including vision and dental, paid by a parent or that parent’s spouse is added to the basic obligation, as are child care costs incurred because of the custodial parent’s employment (§ 20-108.2(E) and (F)). Unless there is good cause or the parties agree otherwise, reasonable and necessary unreimbursed medical and dental expenses are shared in proportion to gross income (§ 20-108.2(D)).
Shared custody
When a parent has custody or visitation for more than 90 days of the year, a shared custody amount is calculated: the schedule amount is multiplied by 1.4 and allocated by each parent’s share of custody days and income. The shared amount is presumptive unless a party affirmatively shows that the sole custody amount is less (§ 20-108.2(G)(3)). If either parent’s gross income is at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level, the shared amount is not presumptively correct (§ 20-108.2(G)(3)(d)).
Deviations
To depart from the guideline, the court must make written findings that applying it would be unjust or inappropriate, state the guideline amount, and justify the difference based on evidence about the factors in § 20-108.1(B), such as custody arrangements and visitation travel costs, a child’s special needs, and imputed income to a voluntarily unemployed or underemployed parent.
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Where to check this
Forms, deadlines, and local rules change. Verify anything on this page against the official self-help resources for your state before you rely on it.
This page is general legal information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney–client relationship. Laws and local rules vary and change. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed family-law attorney in your state.