WEST VIRGINIA Part 13

Both Parents Pay Child Support

Both parents are responsible for the care and support of their child. The amount of child support you have to pay or will receive depends on the number of children you have and the combined income of both parents. In West Virginia, the state has guidelines to determine a fair and reasonable amount of child support based on these two factors. Parents can choose to pay more than the amount determined by the guidelines, but only a court may reduce a payment.

Even if the parents never married, both remain responsible for child support until the child is at least 18 years old. Sometimes payments continue even longer if the child is still in school or has a mental or physical disability.