Virginia Child Support Calculator
Estimate monthly Virginia child support using the regular (sole-custody) or shared-custody calculator. Review the inputs, calculation steps, assumptions, and limitations before relying on an estimate.
Choose your calculator
Regular support: For calculations under the sole-custody guidelines.
Shared custody: For qualifying parenting schedules with more than 90 statutory days for each parent. Exactly 90 days does not meet that threshold. These tools do not cover split or mixed custody arrangements.
What information will I need?
Gather both parents’ income information, the parenting schedule, child-only health-coverage costs, work-related childcare expenses, and relevant support obligations. Follow the explanations beside each field; do not guess at disputed deductions.
Understand your estimate
The result is an educational estimate, not legal advice or a court order. Low-income cases, benefits, unusual expenses, and disputed adjustments may require individual review. An estimate does not change an existing support order.
Virginia child support and custody questions
Does 50/50 custody mean no child support in Virginia?
No. Equal parenting time does not automatically eliminate child support. Differences in income and qualifying expenses can still produce a payment under Virginia’s shared-custody guidelines.
Are parenting days the same as overnights?
Not necessarily. Virginia’s statutory day-counting rules can allocate half days. Review the schedule carefully.
Does this calculator decide custody or visitation?
No. Virginia courts decide custody and visitation based on the child’s best interests. A support estimate does not establish a parenting schedule. For help with parenting arrangements, see our child custody and visitation services.
Can I stop paying child support if visitation is denied?
No. Denied visitation does not authorize you to stop making court-ordered support payments. Support and visitation are separate matters. Seek advice about enforcing a visitation order and continue following the support order unless it is changed through the appropriate process.
Can I use this for different custody arrangements among children?
These two tools do not calculate split or mixed custody arrangements. Request an individual review.
Will the court order this amount?
Not necessarily. The court considers applicable law and the circumstances of the case.
Does a change in income or custody automatically change my support order?
No. A calculator result or changed circumstances do not by themselves change an existing order. Under Virginia Code § 20-108, a court may modify support for a period while a modification petition is pending, but no earlier than the date the responding party received notice of that petition.
Prepare for a support or custody consultation
Bring your current orders, recent income records, parenting calendar, child-only health-coverage costs, and work-related childcare bills. Note what changed and when. Parents in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads can request a free consultation to discuss their circumstances.
Sources and related reading
Virginia Code § 20-108.2: child support guidelines
Virginia Code § 20-108.1: support and deviation factors
Virginia Code § 20-124.2: custody and visitation
Virginia Code § 20-108: modifying support orders
Virginia courts: custody, visitation and support guidance
Official sole-custody worksheet, DC-637
Official shared-custody worksheet, DC-640
Related reading: Family-law representation · Child custody · Divorce representation
Talk through your circumstances
Questions about income, parenting time, or an existing support order? Contact The Coastal Virginia Law Firm to request a free consultation.