Hampton, VA asked in Child Support for Virginia

Q: Can I include a step-child in the calculation, if my wife and I have sole custody and my wife is a full-time student?

I have a question about the recalculating child support in Virginia. I have an existing child support order from 2016 for a child with my ex-wife. For material change in circumstances, my ex-wife’s income has stayed relatively the same, but my salary has almost doubled. Since then, my ex-wife has had a new child.

I have since remarried and a have new baby as well. My wife and I also have sole custody of a child from her previous relationship (we are both listed on the court order). My wife is a full-time college student for one more year and has no income; therefore, I pay 100% of the support for my step-daughter (since there is no order of child support from the biological father).

For the child support calculation, can I include both of the children living in my house, or only my biological child? Thank you for the advice.

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
Michael Christopher Miller
Michael Christopher Miller
Answered
  • Vienna, VA
  • Licensed in Virginia

A: The short answer is no for the stepchild, yes for the new bio child.

From Va. Code 20-108.2(C):

"Where there is an existing court or administrative order or written agreement relating to the child or children of a party to the proceeding, who are not the child or children who are the subject of the present proceeding, then there is a presumption that there shall be deducted from the gross income of the party subject to such order or written agreement, the amount that the party is actually paying for the support of a child or children pursuant to such order or agreement.

Where a party to the proceeding has a natural or adopted child or children in the party's household or primary physical custody, and the child or children are not the subject of the present proceeding, there is a presumption that there shall be deducted from the gross income of that party the amount as shown on the Schedule of Monthly Basic Child Support Obligations contained in subsection B that represents that party's support obligation based solely on that party's income as being the total income available for the natural or adopted child or children in the party's household or primary physical custody, who are not the subject of the present proceeding. Provided, however, that the existence of a party's financial responsibility for such a child or children shall not of itself constitute a material change in circumstances for modifying a previous order of child support in any modification proceeding. Any adjustment to gross income under this subsection shall not create or reduce a support obligation to an amount which seriously impairs the custodial parent's ability to maintain minimal adequate housing and provide other basic necessities for the child, as determined by the court."

1 user found this answer helpful

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.