Simple Child Support Calculator
To calculate child support in West Virginia, we recommend using the Bureau for Child Support Enforcement worksheets. There appears to be no simpler way to estimate support payments.
The Bureau for Child Support Enforcement worksheets steps you through a complex calculation. You may need to work through each part carefully to get an accurate assessment. Unfortunately, the West Virginia scheme is complex and a simple, reliable calculator does not appear to be available.
Overnights Calculator for West Virginia
According to West Virginia child support guidelines, payment amounts depend on how many overnight stays a child has with each parent annually.
Use this overnights calculator to work out how many nights of care you provide.
Calculate annual overnight stays
Regular nights
Vacation nights each year*
183 overnight stays per year.
50.0% of parenting time.
* Vacation nights are all nights when the regular schedule does not apply.
How Child Support is Calculated in West Virginia
Child support payments in West Virginia are calculated using the income shares category method. Payments depend on the combined incomes of the parents as well as the number of children. A larger combined income or more children usually means greater payments.
The amount paid or received by an individual parent also depends on their income percentage. The higher your percentage of combined parent income, the more you pay or less you receive.
Payments are also affected by which parenting time category applies. Payments may be lower because of a "shared" (fairly equal) care arrangement.
West Virginians paying the most child support have high incomes and limited parenting time. Conversely, the biggest receivers are parents who (a) work little (b) have their kids most of the time and (c) have a high earner as the other parent.
The amount of support depends on factors that include: the number of children, the amount of time the children spend with each parent, the gross income of both parents, the specific expenses involved in raising the children, and other children of both parents. The Bureau for Child Support Enforcement (BCSE) sends both parents a financial form to gather information about these factors.
Child support is all based on the child support formula. The amount of support depends on several things, such as the amount of time the child spends with each parent, the gross incomes of both parents, expenses for the child, and the number of children.
Legal Aid of West Virginia
West Virginian child support guidelines apply to the whole state, including the cities of Charleston, Huntington, Morgantown and Parkersburg. Variations in support payments may be made by the agreement of parents or at the discretion of a judge presiding over your case.
Payment Calculators by State