Child Support

The amount of the child support payments will depend on many factors, such as the number of children, the parents’ income, etc. The judge will use specific Virginia child support guidelines as a guide to figure out the amount. However, it is possible that the judge could stray from the guidelines if using them would be unfair or inappropriate in a particular case.¹

As part of the child support order, the judge can also order that either parent provide health care coverage. In addition, unless there is a good reason to do something different, all child support orders will usually state that each parent must pay all “reasonable and necessary” unreimbursed medical or dental expenses in an amount that is proportionate to their gross income. Medical and dental expenses include, but are not be limited to, the following:

• eyeglasses; 
• prescription medication; 
• prosthetics; 
• orthodontics; and
• mental health or developmental disabilities services, such as services provided by a social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, or therapist.²

In addition, if you file for child support within six months of your child’s birth, the child support order can also require that each parent to pay a portion of any “reasonable and necessary” unpaid expenses related to the mother’s pregnancy and delivery of the child.³

For more information on how to get your child support order enforced, visit the Virginia Department of Social Services website.

¹ Va. Code § 20-108.2
² Va. Code §§ 20-124.2(C); 20-108.2(D)
³ Va. Code § 20-108.2(D1)