How to File for Child Support Reduction in Fairfax County

How to File for Child Support Reduction in Fairfax County

Trying to lower your Fairfax, Virginia, child support payments when your income shrinks may seem like an intimidating process, but it is actually not complicated at all. In this article, you’ll learn what amount of child support you should be paying and two different ways to modify your existing child support order. 

Calculating Child Support in Fairfax County

You can google “Virginia child support calculator” to plug in your exact numbers and see what the court will require you to pay with your new financial situation. Here are the factors Virginia considers in determining the amount of child support to be paid by the non-custodial parent:

• Your monthly income before expenses
• Your co-parent’s monthly income before expenses
• How many children are involved
• How much (if any) alimony is paid or received (from this or any past relationships)
• Childcare expenses (babysitting, daycare, afterschool programs)
• “Family” or “Group” health insurance costs for both you and your co-parent (Virginia law assumes both you and your X are responsible for your children’s medical necessities.)

The minimum amount a non-custodial parent will pay in Fairfax County is $68 per month.

Reducing Your Child Support Payments – Virginia Dept. of Social Services

The VDSS (Virginia Dept. of Social Services) can review the amount of child support you are paying currently. Sometimes without a court hearing (depending on the child support order type), child support amounts can be modified when appropriate. Sometimes without even involving a court hearing, depending on the order type. Contact VDSS for more information:

• Email – askdcse@dss.virginia.gov 
• Contact Form – https://www.dss.virginia.gov/family/dcse/email2.cgi
• Phone – 800.468.8894 (open weekdays 7:00 am-6:00 pm) 
• Mail – P.O. Box 550, Richmond, VA 23218

If VDSS can help you, they’ll have you complete a “Review and Adjustment Packet,” which basically entails:

• Providing your current financial information (and form to complete + pay stubs and other relevant documentation)
• Waiting for a “Review and Adjustment Specialist” to contact you to verify the information you submitted
• If you are the custodial parent, you also need to submit a Health Insurance Verification form

Reducing Your Child Support Payments – Domestic Relations Office

The other way to reduce your child support payments is by calling the court’s “Domestic Relations” office at 703-246-3040. At your appointment, bring a copy of your original child support order. The court will then schedule a hearing to verify that your income has decreased enough to lower your payments. 

Child Support Enforcement

An additional resource that may be helpful is the Division of Child Support Enforcement. If you aren’t receiving payments or if you will miss a payment or two as you transition to a new job, reach out to the Division of Child Support Enforcement.  

The Best Option: Call a Fairfax County Child Support Lawyer

It is always best to have a skilled, experienced professional help you modify your payments. Please contact our dedicated, passionate child support lawyers at Curran Moher Weis to get started.