VIRGINIA Part 85

Just because both parents contribute to the financial support of the child, that doesn’t mean the parents have to swap checks every month. Only the custodial parent, meaning the one who the child lives with most of the time, may request child support. The law assumes that the custodial parent already covers many of the costs involved in caring for a child. For this reason, the noncustodial parent makes the support payments.

It is not always necessary for a court to make a child support order. In Virginia, the department of social services could issue a child support order based on the same guidelines the courts use. Also, you should not need to file an application for child support if you currently receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). In that case, Virginia’s Division of Child Support Enforcement (DCSE) usually applies for you. Still, you might want to check with your local department of social services to make sure this has happened. Go to the local departments of social services to find your closest office.