Virginia Child Support Calculator

How is Child Support Calculated in Virginia?

Virginia calculates child support based on what parents would spend on their children if they were still together. Governed by Virginia Code § 20-108.2, the court combines your and the other parent's gross incomes, finds a basic support amount from a state schedule, and then divides that amount between you based on your percentage share of the combined income.

Understanding VA's Shared Custody Rules

In Virginia, if a parent has physical custody of the child for 91 or more overnights per year, a special shared custody calculation is used which adjusts the standard child support amount. This formula, found in Virginia Code § 20-108.2(G), accounts for the increased costs of shared parenting by multiplying the basic support obligation by 1.4 before apportioning each parent's responsibility based on their custody time and income share.

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✓ Verified for 2026 Guidelines • Reviewed October 2026 by Harmoney

Virginia Child Support Guidelines at a Glance

Guideline Model Income Shares Model
Governing Legal Authority Virginia Code § 20-108.2
Shared Custody Threshold 91 or More Overnights
Age Support Ends Age 18 (or 19 if still in High School)
Modification Standard Material Change in Circumstances

Frequently Asked Questions About VA Support


At what age does child support end in VA?

Child support in Virginia ends when the child turns 18, but it continues until age 19 or high school graduation, whichever occurs first, if the child is a full-time high school student. This rule is established under Virginia Code § 20-124.2(C), which outlines the termination of support upon the child's emancipation.

How is child support calculated if one parent is unemployed in VA?

Virginia courts can impute income to an unemployed or underemployed parent based on their potential earning capacity if they are found to be voluntarily unemployed or underemployed. This means the support calculation will be based on the income they *should* be earning, as detailed in Virginia Code § 20-108.1(B)(3), considering factors like work history, education, and local job opportunities.

How do I modify a child support order in VA?

You can modify a child support order in Virginia by proving a material change in circumstances has occurred since the last order was entered. A petition to modify must be filed with the court that issued the original order, and this standard is required by Virginia Code § 20-108. A change in the guideline amount of 10% or more can create a presumption of a material change for administrative reviews, but the overall standard is a material change.

Does VA child support cover college expenses?

No, Virginia law does not require a parent to pay for college expenses after a child reaches the age of majority. Courts can only enforce an agreement between the parents to pay for college if it is included in a signed contract or settlement agreement, as support obligations generally terminate at age 18 (or 19 if still in high school) per Virginia Code § 20-124.2(C).

How does VA handle health insurance and childcare costs?

The costs for health insurance premiums and necessary work-related childcare are added to the basic child support obligation and are prorated between the parents based on their percentage shares of the combined income. Virginia Code § 20-108.2(E) and (F) explicitly state that these expenses are treated as mandatory additions to the basic guideline amount.