How to Calculate Child Support in Virginia: Step-by-Step Guide
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September 22, 2025
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How to Calculate Child Support in Virginia: Step-by-Step Guide
Understanding the Income Shares Model
Virginia’s model (Code § 20-108.2) shares the support burden based on both parents’ incomes, mimicking a shared household.
Detailed Calculation Steps
Follow these for the official worksheet:
- Gross Monthly Income: Total verifiable earnings and income.
- Basic Obligation: Lookup table—e.g., $15,000 combined income, 1 child: $1,200.
- Proportional Shares: (Your income / total) x obligation.
- Deviations: Court may adjust amount for unique circumstances one the guideline is calculated
| Combined Income | 1 Child | 2 Children |
| $8,000 | $1,000 | $1,500 |
| $20,000 | $1,800 | $2,600 |
| $42,500 (New 2025 Max) | $3,200 | $4,500 |
Common Mistakes and Tips
- Include income from all sources
- Apply the correct guideline (e.g. Sole Custody vs. Shared custody
- A “day” for day count purposes is 24-hour hours. An overnight alone counts as a half day
- Applicable health insurance cost is only the portion attributable to children
- Self-employed individuals may deduct “reasonable” business expenses
Conclusion
Precise calculations prevent costly court battles. Reach out for a consultation.
FAQs: Calculating Child Support in Virginia
How has the 2025 update affected calculations?
Support amounts increased across the board and the guidelines were expanded to $42,500 income threshold for more accurate high-earner support.
