Child Support Child support in Virginia is the legal responsibility of parents to financially support their children. Under Virginia law, child support is determined based on a number of factors, including each parent’s income, the needs of the children, and the cost of childcare. In many cases, child support is determined by a court order and is enforced through the state’s child support enforcement program. This blog post will provide a general overview of child support in Virginia, including how it is calculated, what can be included in the calculation, and how to collect unpaid child support.
## Calculating Child Support in Virginia The amount of child support a parent pays in Virginia is based on several factors, including the parent’s income, the cost of childcare, and the needs of the children. In most cases, child support is determined by the Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) using the state’s Child Support Guidelines. The guidelines consider the parent’s income, the cost of health insurance, the cost of daycare or other childcare expenses, and the cost of any medical expenses that may be incurred for the children. The amount of child support is determined by dividing the combined parental income by the number of children and then applying a percentage of that amount to each parent’s income. For example, if the parents’ combined income is $100,000 and they have two children, the child support amount would be 20% of the combined income ($20,000).
### What Can Be Included in the Calculation In addition to the factors listed above, other factors may be considered when calculating child support in Virginia. These can include the cost of extracurricular activities, the cost of travel expenses for visitation, and any other expenses related to the children. Additionally, the cost of health insurance, such as medical, dental, and vision coverage, may be included in the calculation. ## Collecting Unpaid Child Support If a parent fails to pay child support, the Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) can enforce the child support order through the state’s child support enforcement program. The program can help collect unpaid child support through wage garnishment, interception of tax refunds, liens on real property, and other measures. Additionally, a parent may be able to obtain a court order for the payment of child support from the parent who has failed to pay.
### Conclusion Child support in Virginia is an important part of ensuring that children have access to the financial resources they need to lead healthy and successful lives. Understanding how child support is calculated and how to collect unpaid child support can help parents ensure that their children are receiving the support they need.
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