VIRGINIA Part 84

3.      What do we need to do to get child support?

Both Parents are Responsible for Child Support

In Virginia, both parents, whether married to one another or not, are obligated to support their children. Child support payments are based on the combined incomes of both parents. This gives the child (or children) the benefit of what the parents could have provided in a single household. The state holds each parent responsible for covering a certain percentage of the whole child support amount, which must include health and dental care for the child. Childcare costs, too, could be part of the equation. If you are wondering what your fair share will be, you can estimate it by using a set of guidelines (explained below).