If you are considering a divorce or separating from your partner and have children in Northern Virginia, you should know how child support is calculated in Virginia. There are several key factors that go into calculating the child support amount. In Virginia, a child support guidelines are used.
Virginia Child Support Laws
Virginia Code §20-108.2 lays out the mathematical formula that we use to figure out the child support payment for your case. How this formula is used depends on the custody arrangement between parents. The different custody arrangements include:
- Sole Custody. One or more children stays with one parent for the majority of the year.
- Shared Custody. One or more children stays with each parent for at least 91 days out of the year. We have calculations for full days vs. half days.
- Split Custod This occurs when parents have two or more children, and each parent has custody of at least one child for a majority of the year or at least 91 days out of the year.
Child Support Calculator for Northern Virginia
In Virginia, child support is based on the income of the two parents. The first step in calculating child support is to determine the gross income of both parents. This is the family income. A parent’s gross income is generally adjusted for things like spousal support and support for other children.
Next, the calculations outline how much parents at different monthly family income levels should put aside for child support obligations for a household of one to six children. If the combined income is $35,000 or greater per month, it falls outside the table. In this case, child support is based on a percentage of income from 2.6% for one child up to 5% for six children. Items such as health insurance expenses and work-related childcare expenses are added to the support obligation.
Determining Final Obligations
The final obligation for child support is apportioned between the two parents based on each of their respective incomes. For example, if one parent makes 70% of the total family income, that parent would pay 70% of the child support expenses. Which parent makes the payment will depend on the child custody arrangement.
The non-custodial parent will pay their child support obligation each month to the custodial parent. Likewise, that parent will pay a portion of any reasonable and necessary unreimbursed medical and dental costs.
Impact of Custody Arrangements
Custody arrangements can impact child support figures. For instance, when there is a shared custody arrangement, each parent’s custody “share” is used to adjust the final obligation figures. If there is a split custody arrangement, the courts will calculate sole custody for each parent and then make the appropriate adjustments.
Understanding Child Support in Northern Virginia
If you are considering separating and would like to understand the child support calculations for Virginia, you should consult an experienced divorce attorney. Likewise, if you would like to appeal a child support ruling, an attorney at our firm can help. To learn more, contact Cook, Craig, & Francuzenko.
