West Virginia Child Support
Estimate for West Virginia
West Virginia uses the Income Shares model.
Official schedule: West Virginia Code § 48-13-301 Schedule of Monthly Basic Child Support Obligations (2024)
View calculation breakdown
| Combined parental income | $9,000 |
|---|---|
| Total basic obligation (schedule) | $1,549 |
| Obligor income share | 55.6% |
| Obligor basic obligation | $861 |
| Estimated monthly support | $861 |
How the basic obligation splits between parents
Estimated monthly support by number of children
§ How West Virginia calculates support
West Virginia uses the Income Shares model. Each parent's gross income is converted to a net/adjusted income figure, and the basic obligation schedule (W. Va. Code Chapter 48, Article 13) is keyed to combined net/adjusted income. Two parenting-time formulas apply: Basic Shared Parenting (noncustodial parent has fewer than 127 days/year) and Extended Shared Parenting (127+ days/year, about 35%), which reduces the obligation to reflect costs in two households. Courts may deviate for factors such as a child's special needs, private-school costs, or income near the poverty level.
Content verified against official sources on 2026-08-09.
✦ How to open or modify a case in West Virginia
- Apply for child support services with the Bureau for Child Support Enforcement (BCSE) — custodial parents, non-custodial parents, and caretakers may apply.
- BCSE locates the other parent and establishes paternity if needed.
- BCSE calculates the guideline amount using W. Va. Code Chapter 48, Article 13 (income shares on net/adjusted income), including add-ons for health insurance, child care, and unreimbursed medical costs.
- BCSE obtains an administrative or court order; services cover establishment, enforcement, and review.
- Request a modification from BCSE on a change in circumstances or through periodic review.
◈ Illustrative examples
Scenario: Two parents of one child, combined net/adjusted income $6,460 (Parent A $4,180 / 65%; Parent B $2,280 / 35%). Parent A has the child 150 days/year.
Walk-through: The guideline basic obligation for this combined net income and one child is about $956 from the W. Va. schedule. Because Parent A has 150 days/year (over the 127-day threshold), the Extended Shared Parenting worksheet applies, reducing Parent A's obligation to reflect duplicated household costs. Parent A's presumptive share is 65% of the obligation, then adjusted by the extended-parenting-time credit.
Takeaway: Crossing the 127-day line triggers the extended formula and typically lowers the payment.
Scenario: Combined support, spousal support, and child care would push a parent's household below the federal poverty level.
Walk-through: Under W. Va. Code § 48-13-702, the court may deviate from the guideline when the total would drop either parent's household below the federal poverty level. The court must state its reasons on the record.
Takeaway: The guidelines are rebuttable; poverty is an explicit statutory deviation ground.
? Frequently asked questions
↗ Official policy & agency links
Sources verified: https://bcse.wv.gov/ · https://code.wvlegislature.gov/48-13-101/ · https://www.wvlegislature.gov/