How Is Child Support Calculated?
As in most states, child support in Virginia is determined according to the Child Support Guidelines Review Panel, which account for factors such as:
- Each parent’s income
- Day care costs
- Medical insurance expenses
Nevertheless, each child support case is unique. There may be special circumstances that affect the amount you owe or are owed such as:
- Whether you or the other parent is self-employed
- The amount of time you spend with your child
- The cost of private school tuition
- Whether your child has special needs
At Russell W. Ray, PLLC in Springfield , we have decades of experience navigating through Virginia’s child support laws. Although Virginia has guidelines in place, we can help you negotiate a different agreement in court if the terms do not match your situation.
Do not simply agree to a child support number without first consulting an attorney. The long-term financial ramifications could be severe.
When Circumstances Change, So Should Support Payments
One of the most important things to remember about child support is that it is never permanent. Even after divorce proceedings, if you or your spouse can prove that there has been a significant change in circumstances, a judge may agree to increase or decrease the support payments.
Some common factors that can lead to a child support modification in Virginia include:
- Job loss
- A promotion or significant raise
- A costly medical surgery
- A child’s changing needs
Whether you are paying or receiving child support, it is important to have the right legal representation on your side to aggressively protect your rights.
Schedule A Free, One-On-One Consultation With A Lawyer
Much like with property division, we can determine if a parent is concealing income to get out of paying child support or is trying to make you pay more than you should.
Contact us at 703-552-4028 or through email to set up a free consultation to discuss your situation.
We serve Fairfax County, Prince William County and all of Northern Virginia.