How to Use the West Virginia Child Support Calculator
Enter what you know and press Calculate Estimate. The calculator follows W. Va. Code chapter 48, article 13 and the child support worksheets in 48-13-403 and 48-13-502.
- Enter each parent's gross monthly income (usually without overtime).
- Choose the number of children and the parent the children live with most of the time.
- Enter the children's share of the health insurance premium and work-related child care, and say who pays them.
- Enter the overnights a year with the other parent, or tick equal time.
Your numbers are sent with the form, not placed in the page address, and this site does not store them. This is a planning estimate. A West Virginia family court sets the actual amount.
West Virginia Child Support Table in 2026
Looking for West Virginia child support guidelines for 2026? The current table in 48-13-301 was reenacted by House Bill 112 (2023 First Extraordinary Session), effective August 8, 2023. A 2026 bill to switch West Virginia to net income (HB 4884) was introduced and referred to committee; we found no record that it passed, so the gross income guidelines still apply.
The West Virginia Basic Child Support Table
Sample rows (combined monthly adjusted gross income):
| Combined monthly income | 1 child | 2 children | 3 children |
|---|
| $1,000 | $182 | $277 | $335 |
| $2,000 | $342 | $521 | $630 |
| $4,000 | $649 | $979 | $1,181 |
| $6,000 | $869 | $1,310 | $1,568 |
| $8,000 | $992 | $1,488 | $1,772 |
| $10,000 | $1,121 | $1,657 | $1,944 |
| $15,000 | $1,439 | $2,108 | $2,447 |
| $25,000 | $2,016 | $2,976 | $3,485 |
| $35,000 | $2,527 | $3,719 | $4,342 |
The table runs from $550 to $35,000 a month in $50 steps for one to six children. Below $550 the basic obligation is $50 or an amount the court sets (48-13-302). Above $35,000 it may not be less than the $35,000 amount, and the court may use the formula in 48-13-303. The statute does not say how to treat incomes between two rows; this calculator uses the row at or below the income.
Ability to Pay (Low Income)
If the paying parent's adjusted gross income is below $2,600 a month, 48-13-404 sets the order at the lesser of the worksheet amount and 80% of that parent's income minus $997, but never less than $50.
Extended Shared Parenting
When each parent has the child more than 127 days a year (35%), Worksheet B applies (48-13-501):
- Multiply the basic obligation by 1.6.
- Split it by income, and reduce each parent's share by the percentage of overnights the child spends with that parent.
- Offset the two amounts; the parent who owes more pays the difference.
- Child care, health insurance and extraordinary expenses are shared by income and offset separately, then added.
With 127 or fewer overnights, the basic Worksheet A applies and overnights do not change the amount.
West Virginia Child Support Examples
In each example Parent B has the children most of the time. Amounts are monthly and come from this calculator.
Example 1: One child
A earns $5,000 and B earns $3,000 ($8,000 combined). The table gives $992, and A's 62.5% share is $620 a month.
Example 2: Two children with insurance and child care
A earns $6,000 and B earns $4,000. The table gives $1,657. B pays $200 insurance and $600 child care (counted as $450). A pays 60% of $2,307: $1,384.20 a month.
Example 3: Equal time
A earns $7,000 and B earns $5,000, two children. $1,869 x 1.6 = $2,990.40. Half of each parent's share is offset: A pays $249.20 a month.
Example 4: Ability to pay
A earns $1,200 and B earns $5,000, one child. A's share is $170.52, but 80% of $1,200 minus $997 is below $50, so A pays the $50 a month minimum.
Example 5: 146 overnights
A earns $6,000 and B earns $3,000, one child, 146 overnights with A. After the 1.6 multiplier and offset, A pays $444.59 a month.
These are illustrations produced from the statutes, not court rulings.
Frequently Asked Questions About West Virginia Child Support
Is this the official West Virginia child support calculator?
No. ChildSupportCalculator.xyz is an independent tool and is not affiliated with the State of West Virginia, its courts or the Bureau for Social Services. It applies W. Va. Code 48-13. A family court sets the actual amount.
Does West Virginia use gross or net income for child support?
Gross income. The table uses both parents' combined monthly adjusted gross income.
How is child support calculated in West Virginia?
Read the basic obligation from the table at combined adjusted gross income, add 75% of work-related child care and the children's health insurance, multiply by the paying parent's share of income, and subtract the costs that parent pays directly.
What is the minimum child support in West Virginia?
Below $550 of combined income the basic obligation is $50 or a court-set amount. For a paying parent earning under $2,600 a month, the ability-to-pay calculation never goes below $50.
How does 50/50 custody work for child support in West Virginia?
With more than 127 days a year with each parent, the basic obligation is multiplied by 1.6, split by income, reduced by each parent's own time and offset. The parent who owes more pays the difference.
Why is child care counted at 75% in West Virginia?
The worksheets count 75% of actual work-related child care costs to adjust for the federal child care tax credit.
Is there an income cap for child support in West Virginia?
The table ends at $35,000 of combined monthly income. Above that, support may not be less than the $35,000 amount, and the court may add a percentage of the income above $35,000.
When did West Virginia last update the child support table?
The current table was reenacted by House Bill 112 in the 2023 First Extraordinary Session, effective August 8, 2023.
Does the West Virginia calculator need my personal details or a login?
No. This site needs no login and does not store your numbers.
