West Virginia Child Support Calculator

How is Child Support Calculated in West Virginia?

West Virginia's child support formula, governed by W. Va. Code § 48-13-101 et seq., is designed to be fair by ensuring children receive support from both parents. The court combines your and the other parent's gross incomes, finds the total support amount on a state schedule, and then divides that amount between you based on your percentage share of the combined income.

Understanding the 2026 WV Income Shares Model

In West Virginia, when each parent has the child for at least 127 overnights per year (approximately 35% of the time), a different 'Shared Parenting' formula is used, as outlined in W. Va. Code § 48-13-501. This formula increases the basic support obligation by 50% to account for duplicated costs in two households and then adjusts each parent's share based on the percentage of time they have the child. This typically results in a lower support payment for the obligor parent compared to a sole custody arrangement.

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✓ Verified for 2026 Guidelines • Reviewed October 2026 by Harmoney

West Virginia Child Support Guidelines at a Glance

Guideline Model Income Shares Model
Governing Legal Authority W. Va. Code § 48-13-101 et seq.
Shared Custody Threshold 127 Overnights (Approx. 35% time)
Age Support Ends Age 18 (or 20 if still in High School)
Modification Standard 15% Change in Support Amount

West Virginia Child Support FAQs


At what age does child support end in WV?

Child support in West Virginia automatically terminates when a child turns 18, unless the child is still enrolled full-time in a secondary school, in which case it may continue until age 20. As outlined in W. Va. Code § 48-11-103, the obligation ends upon graduation from secondary school or reaching age 20, whichever occurs first.

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

If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, a West Virginia court will impute income to them based on their potential earning capacity. Under W. Va. Code § 48-13-304, this imputed income is determined by considering the parent's work history, qualifications, existing job opportunities, and average local wages.

How do I modify a child support order in WV?

A child support order in West Virginia may be modified upon a showing of a 'substantial change of circumstances,' which is legally presumed if applying the current guidelines would change the support amount by at least 15%. According to W. Va. Code § 48-11-105, either parent can file a petition for modification when such a change occurs.

Does WV child support cover college expenses?

No, West Virginia law does not obligate a parent to pay for a child's college or post-secondary education expenses after the child reaches the age of majority. Support for college can only be enforced if the parents have previously agreed to it in a formal, written marital settlement agreement that has been incorporated into a court order.

How does WV handle health insurance and childcare costs?

Health insurance premiums and reasonable, work-related childcare costs are added to the basic child support obligation and are divided between the parents in proportion to their respective incomes. These expenses, detailed in W. Va. Code § 48-13-601 and § 48-13-602, are mandatory adjustments to the final child support amount.