Child Support in Prince William County

If you and your children’s other parent are divorcing or breaking up, child support is a serious matter. Child support helps to ensure that children continue to benefit from the financial support of both parents, which supports their overall well-being. If you’re facing a child support case, our experienced Prince William County child support attorneys at Bristle Schulze are on your side and here to help.

How Child Support Works in Virginia

Virginia’s child support laws are built on the income shares model. The premise is that a child should receive the same financial support they would have if both parents remained in the same household. Each parent’s obligation is proportional to their share of the combined household income.

Who Pays Child Support in Prince William County?

In most Prince William County cases, the noncustodial parent (the one with less parenting time) makes payments to the custodial parent. When parents share custody more equally, the obligation shifts to the higher earner, though the amount is adjusted to reflect the actual parenting time split. Either way, the child support order is specific to the circumstances of the case and is subject to modification if those circumstances change significantly.

The Child Support Calculation Process

Virginia uses what’s called an income shares model for calculating child support. This means that the gross income of each parent is added together to determine the base income, from which child support is calculated. From here, each parent’s income is calculated as a percentage of the whole.

For example:

• Parent A earns $4,000 per month
• Parent B earns $6,000
• Parent A has responsibility for 40 percent of the total child support
• Parent B has responsibility for 60 percent

The total child support amount owed is found on Virginia’s child support tables. Because the primary custodial parent covers many of the children’s basic daily needs, their percentage of child support is presumed covered. As a result, the other parent makes the child support payments, which are calculated as their percentage of the total child support amount.

Exceptions to the Rule

Virginia courts can deviate from the standard child support calculation guidelines when valid exceptions apply. Often, factors like the following fit the bill:

• A child’s special needs
• Any extraordinary expenses, such as in relation to a child’s healthcare needs
• An additional child support obligation for a child or children from another relationship
• High earnings, which can result in a child support obligation that exceeds the guideline amount

Don’t Wait to Consult with Our Experienced Prince William County Child Support Lawyers

Our capable Prince William County child support attorneys at Bristle Schulze have earned a reputation for advocacy on behalf of our clients, and we are ready to protect your parental and financial rights. Child support is important to you and your children, so please don’t delay reaching out for more information by contacting us online or giving our firm a call at 703-454-0701 today.