Virginia Child Support Estimator

Updated for July 2025 Guidelines (Income Cap $42,500)

Parent A

Parent B

Children & Expenses (Monthly)

Total Monthly Cost

Amount Paid by Parent A

*Remainder of expenses assumed paid by Parent B.

Official Virginia Resources

How Virginia Calculates Support

Virginia uses an Income Shares Model to determine child support. This means the court combines both parents' gross monthly incomes to determine the total support obligation and then splits it based on each parent's ability to pay.

Key Factors:

  • Gross Income: All income before taxes (wages, commissions, bonuses, etc.).
  • Custody Arrangement: The number of days each parent has the child determines whether "Sole" or "Shared" guidelines apply.
  • Health Insurance & Child Care: Costs are added to the basic obligation and shared pro-rata.

The 90-Day Rule (Shared Custody)

In Virginia, custody is considered "Shared" for child support purposes if a parent has the child for more than 90 days per year.

Impact of Shared Custody

If the Shared Custody threshold is met, the basic support obligation is multiplied by 1.4 (to account for the cost of maintaining two households). The final amount is then calculated by offsetting what each parent "owes" the other based on their income and custody time. This typically reduces the amount the higher earner pays compared to sole custody.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a "Day" for child support purposes?

A "day" is generally defined as a period of 24 hours. However, where the parent has physical custody for the majority of a 24-hour period, it may count. The guidelines focus on overnights or significant periods of time.

Is overtime pay included in Gross Income?

Yes. Gross income includes income from all sources, including salaries, wages, commissions, royalties, bonuses, dividends, severance pay, pensions, interest, trust income, annuities, capital gains, etc.