{"id":376920,"date":"2016-03-31T21:37:07","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:37:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/virginia-law\/virginia-child-support-enforcement.html"},"modified":"2025-05-30T07:23:33","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T12:23:33","slug":"virginia-child-support-enforcement","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/virginia-law\/virginia-child-support-enforcement.html","title":{"rendered":"Virginia Child Support Enforcement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Virginia Child Support Enforcement<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by FindLaw Staff<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

A child support order is like any other court order. If you fail to comply with it, there are legal consequences. If a court order indicates that the non-custodial parent (NCP) must pay a specific amount of support each month, they have no choice but to comply. The non-custodial parent is the parent who does not have primary child custody. If they fail to make child support payments, the other parent can seek help to enforce the order.<\/p>\r\n

This article explains the child support laws<\/a> in the Commonwealth of Virginia and discusses the ramifications of not paying child support<\/a>. It also supplies the options available to people looking to enforce their child support order. If you still have questions about your child support case, contact a local child support attorney<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Contact DCSE<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The Virginia Division of Child Support Enforcement<\/a> (DCSE) oversees cases involving delinquent child support. If your child\u2019s other parent is behind on child support or refuses to comply with the child support order, you should contact DCSE.<\/p>\r\n

The DCSE will take action against parents delinquent on their child support obligation<\/a>. The goal is not to punish the NCP. Child support enforcement aims to ensure that children have the necessary care they need.<\/p>\r\n

Will I Have to Go to Court?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Ideally, once the Division of Child Support Enforcemen<\/a>t contacts the NCP, they\u2019ll catch up on their late payments. If this doesn\u2019t happen, you may have to go to court. The DCSE only refers cases for court action when its administrative methods are unsuccessful.<\/p>\r\n

In general, the DCSE refers cases to the family courts when the NCP is at least 90 days late and has arrears over $500.<\/p>\r\n

Criminal and Civil Consequences of Non-Compliance<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

If a non-custodial parent doesn’t pay child support on time, the judge can hold them in contempt of court. Depending on the situation, the judge may impose fines and even jail time.<\/p>\r\n

In addition to possible criminal and financial penalties, the court may suspend the non-paying parent\u2019s driver’s license or any professional license they hold. This usually only applies to those more than 90 days late with their support payments. Non-payment of child support can also negatively impact your credit report.<\/p>\r\n

Failure to pay child support for several months can trigger the following consequences:<\/p>\r\n