Child Support
Child Support Attorney Stafford VA | Shawna L. Stevens PLLC
Child support in Stafford is calculated using Virginia's statutory guidelines under Va. Code § 20-108.2 and handled by the Stafford County Circuit Court at 1300 Courthouse Road, Stafford, VA 22554. The guidelines use both parents' gross incomes, custody arrangements, work-related childcare costs, and health insurance premiums to determine each parent's support obligation. Shawna L. Stevens PLLC assists clients throughout Stafford with initial support orders, enforcement, and modification petitions.
Serving Stafford County, Virginia (22554, 22556), Fredericksburg, and surrounding counties.
Shawna L. Stevens
Family Law Attorney • Stafford County, Virginia
Virginia Law: Child Support in Stafford
The Stafford County Circuit Court applies Virginia statutes in every child support matter:
- Va. Code § 20-108.2 (child support guidelines)
- Va. Code § 20-108.1 (deviation factors)
- Va. Code § 20-109.1 (support for children over 18)
Shawna L. Stevens PLLC brings over 20 years of experience in Stafford courts.
How We Handle Child Support Cases in Stafford
Support Calculations
Virginia's child support guidelines under Va. Code § 20-108.2 use both parents' gross incomes and the custody arrangement to calculate a presumptive support amount. Courts can deviate from the guidelines when deviation serves the child's best interests. We ensure the correct income figures are used and identify legitimate deviation factors that apply to your situation.
Support Modifications
A child support order can be modified when there has been a material change in circumstances — a significant change in either parent's income, a change in the custody arrangement, or a change in the child's needs. We file modification petitions in the Stafford County Circuit Court and advocate for an order that reflects current reality.
Support Enforcement
When a parent fails to pay court-ordered child support, Virginia provides several enforcement mechanisms including wage withholding, license suspension, and contempt proceedings. We pursue enforcement aggressively to ensure your children receive the support they are owed.
Income Imputation
When a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, Virginia courts can impute income based on earning capacity under Va. Code § 20-108.1. We present the evidence needed to establish what a parent is capable of earning, preventing deliberate income manipulation from reducing a support obligation.
The Stafford County Circuit Court
Your case will be heard at Stafford County Circuit Court, located at 1300 Courthouse Road, Stafford, VA 22554.
Stafford is one of the fastest-growing jurisdictions in Virginia, with a significant active-duty and veteran military population near Quantico Marine Corps Base. Shawna L. Stevens PLLC has appeared before this court for over 20 years.
Questions About Child Support in Stafford
How is child support calculated in Stafford?
Virginia uses an income shares model under Va. Code § 20-108.2. Both parents' gross incomes are combined, and each parent's share of the total support obligation is proportional to their share of the combined income. Work-related childcare costs and health insurance premiums are factored in. The custody arrangement — specifically the number of days each parent has the child — also affects the calculation.
Can child support be modified in Stafford?
Yes. Either parent can petition the Stafford County Circuit Court for a modification when there has been a material change in circumstances. A significant income change, job loss, or change in the custody schedule are common grounds. The change must be substantial — minor fluctuations in income typically do not support modification.
What happens if the other parent does not pay support?
Virginia has strong enforcement tools. The Stafford County Circuit Court can order wage withholding directly from the non-paying parent's paycheck. Other enforcement mechanisms include suspending driver's and professional licenses, intercepting tax refunds, and holding the non-paying parent in contempt of court. We pursue whichever mechanisms are most effective in your situation.
Does child support cover college expenses?
Virginia child support obligations generally end when a child turns 18 or graduates high school, whichever is later, under Va. Code § 20-109.1. Courts can order support to continue for a child who is a full-time high school student and not yet 19. Post-secondary educational expenses are not automatically included in Virginia child support but can be addressed by agreement.
Talk to a Stafford Child Support Attorney
If you are facing a child support matter in Stafford County, Virginia, contact us to schedule a confidential consultation.
Phone: (540) 310-4088
Email: [email protected]
Address: 307 Lafayette Blvd, Suite 200, Fredericksburg, VA 22401
Related: Child Custody • Divorce • Modifications • Spousal Support • Fees & Retainers
Serving the entire Fredericksburg region — Child Support Attorney in Fredericksburg, VA