Financial Support for Children
One of the basic principles of Virginia's divorce laws is that a parent's financial responsibility for a child does not end just because the parents decide to divorce. Some amount of monthly child support is almost always included in a Virginia divorce decree. The attorneys at the Nova Family Law Group are frequently called upon to represent spouses in divorce cases where child support is expected to be an area of conflict. With decades of legal experience to offer, our lawyers are well equipped to provide smart and protective legal advocacy.
Child Support Calculations and Disputes
As in most states, child support amounts in Virginia are presumptively determined according to guideline child support tables adopted by the Virginia legislature. The child support guidelines consider such things as the parent's income and day care expenses.
Disputes about child support tend to arise in the following circumstances:
- One parent disputes the other parent's reported income as too low
- One parent charges that the other parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed
- A child has special medical needs that the child support calculator does not account for
- A parent has irregular income sources — such as bonuses, a cash-based business, self-employment or deferred compensation such as restricted stock grants or stock options — that need to be considered in the child support calculation
Through rigorous financial analysis and the use of forensic accountants when called for, our family law attorneys take every necessary step to make sure monthly child support payments are fair for our client and adequate for the children.
Child Custody and Visitation Arrangements Play a Role
An experienced divorce lawyer understands the importance of looking at every issue in relation to all other issues. For example, child support needs to take child custody and visitation arrangements into account. There are actually two primary child support formulas: one for sole custody situations and one for shared custody situations. We are familiar with all issues that need to be taken into consideration in order to resolve the case fairly.
Contact Nova Family Law Group
To schedule an appointment with one of our Fairfax child support lawyers, call 703-763-0980 or 866-639-8801 or send an e-mail.
