Child support and spousal support may be established in a divorce case by the Circuit Court or by a Juvenile Court if no divorce has been filed in which those issues have been scheduled for hearing. Child support between unmarried parents is established and enforced by the Juvenile Courts or administratively by the Division of Child Support Enforcement. 

Both child support and spousal support ordered in a final divorce decree are generally referred to the Juvenile Courts for further modification and enforcement. In child support establishment and modification cases, payment amounts are determined by Virginia child support guidelines set forth in the Virginia statutes.

Establishment of temporary and permanent spousal support and maintenance (alimony) is much more complex and is determined in divorce cases based upon a number of statutory factors; however, in appropriate cases, the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts now have the authority to determine spousal support by utilizing guidelines set forth by the statute.

We at Oram-Smith Family Law have an in-depth understanding of child and spousal support laws pertaining to establishment, modification and enforcement as they relate to Virginia divorce cases as well as Virginia Juvenile and Domestic Relations Juvenile Court cases. We understand the various formulas used and can provide you with an estimate of how much child support you can expect to pay (or receive), as well as the legal obligations involved when illness or loss of employment affects your ability to pay.

Contact us for a confidential legal consultation.

Oram-Smith Family Law
Jennifer D. Oram-Smith, P.C.
291 Independence Blvd.
Pembroke Four Bldg., Suite 241
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462
Tel: (757) 226-0141
Fax: (757) 226-0158

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