Virginia Family Law FAQs

• Q: I Just Lost My Job And Can't Afford To Pay The Support I'm Ordered To. What Can I Do?
  A: You remain financially responsible for your child or children. It is expected you will soon return to gainful employment. An order for support is a legal obligation … More
• Q: If The Payments Are Supposed To Be Deducted From My Wages And That Hasn't Started Yet, What Should I Do?
  A: You are responsible for your child support payments. They are not deducted from your wages, then you must send in the payments yourself. You also must notify the … More
• Q: I Do Not Think The Custodial Parent Is Using The Support Money For The Child. What Can Dcse Do?
  A: DCSE does not investigate how child support funds are used. If DCSE becomes aware of suspected child abuse or neglect, the information is provided to the appropriate … More
• Q: Why Do I Have To Pay Interest And Fees And Who Gets The Money?
  A: Since 1995, Virginia law has allowed interest to be charged on child support debts, just as interest is charged on other debts. If the debt is owed to the custodial … More
• Q: I Paid All The Child Support I Owed But The Debt Is Still Showing On My Credit Report. Why?
  A: DCSE sends updated balance information to the major credit reporting agencies on a monthly basis, but each agency has its own processing time for updating credit … More
• Q: What Are Dcse Appeals?
  A: State law requires that a noncustodial parent be given the right to appeal certain administrative actions taken by the Division of Child Support Enforcement Programs … More
• Q: What Are Administrative Appeals?
  A: An administrative hearing is a formal hearing that gives an appellant an opportunity to contest actions taken by DCSE. Either parent may appeal any provision of an … More
• Q: What Is Judicial Review?
  A: Either parent may appeal the decision of the hearing officer to the appropriate juvenile and domestic relations district court. DCSE cannot appeal the decision of the … More
• Q: In Virginia, Can a Spouse Give Up His or Her Right to Alimony in a Premarital Agreement?
  A: Yes, Virginia law allows spouses to include modification or elimination of spousal support in their prenuptial agreement.  More
• Q: What Steps are Necessary to Enter a Valid Premarital Agreement in Virginia?
  A: The Virginia Uniform Premarital Agreement Act requires that premarital agreements be in writing and signed by both parties. In order to be valid, the agreement … More

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