{"id":376922,"date":"2018-11-27T12:53:45","date_gmt":"2018-11-27T17:53:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/virginia-law\/virginia-child-support-modification.html"},"modified":"2025-05-19T10:46:27","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T15:46:27","slug":"virginia-child-support-modification","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/virginia-law\/virginia-child-support-modification.html","title":{"rendered":"Virginia Child Support Modification"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Virginia Child Support Modification<\/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

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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

Each state has laws and guidelines for establishing child support. The amount of child support a parent must pay is based on various factors, including each parent’s income and the amount of time each one has physical custody of the child<\/a>. Since situations can change, states have laws in place to facilitate child support modification.<\/p>\r\n

How Virginia Courts Calculate Child Support<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

Family courts in Virginia calculate child support<\/a> much the same way as other states do. They defer to the Virginia child support guidelines. These guidelines take into account the financial situation of both parents as well as the time the minor children spend with each parent.<\/p>\r\n

Either the judge or their clerk will enter both parties\u2019 financial information and other pertinent data into the child support worksheet<\/a>. This is a computer program that calculates child support for judges and attorneys.<\/p>\r\n

The judge will accept whatever amount of child support the guidelines suggest. Federal law requires them to do so. State child support guidelines<\/a> offer the judge a rebuttable presumption regarding how much child support the non-custodial parent (NCP) must pay.<\/p>\r\n

Either party may submit evidence justifying why the court should increase or decrease child support. However, the evidence must reasonably convince the judge that the amount dictated by the child support guidelines<\/a> will not allow the parties to afford their child\u2019s needs along with their own basic living expenses.<\/p>\r\n

Factors Virginia Courts Consider When Determining Child Support<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

There are times when, after reviewing the results of the child support guidelines, the judge feels they need more information to determine the final child support amount<\/a>. The court will consider the following factors:<\/p>\r\n