Sole custody child support in Virginia (worksheet DC-637)
When the children live mostly with one parent, Virginia courts use the Child Support Guidelines Worksheet, form DC-637. Here’s how it works, line by line.
Last reviewed November 13, 2026
Calculate with the sole custody worksheet
When this worksheet applies
Use the sole custody worksheet when the children live primarily with one parent (the custodial parent) and the other parent (the non-custodial parent) has them 90 days a year or fewer. If each parent has the children more than 90 days a year, see shared custody (DC-640). If each parent has at least one child living with them, see split custody (DC-638).
How the calculation works
- Start with each parent’s monthly gross income (line 1). That’s income from all sources before taxes: wages, self-employment, bonuses, commissions, pensions, Social Security, rental income, spousal support received and more. Public assistance, federal Supplemental Security Income and child support received aren’t counted.
- Adjust it (lines 2 to 4). Spousal support paid under an order or written agreement is subtracted (and support received is added). Child support paid for other children is subtracted, and so is a schedule amount for other children living in the parent’s home. Self-employed parents subtract reasonable business expenses and half of their self-employment tax.
- Combine the two incomes (line 5) and work out each parent’s percentage of the total (line 9).
- Look up the basic obligation (line 7.a) in the schedule in Va. Code § 20-108.2(B), using the combined income and the number of children.
- Add the children’s health, dental and vision coverage and work-related child care (lines 7.b and 7.c) to get the total obligation (line 8).
- Split it by income share (line 10). The non-custodial parent owes their percentage. If they pay the children’s health, dental and vision premiums themselves, that cost is deducted from what they owe (line 11).
- Apply any adjustments (line 12), such as a credit for benefits the children receive through a parent’s disability insurance, to reach each parent’s adjusted share (line 13).
Worked example
Party A earns $6,000 a month and Party B earns $4,000. Their two children live with Party B. Party A pays $200 a month to cover the children on health, dental and vision plans, and Party B pays $500 a month for child care while at work.
| Line | Item | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 5.b | Combined monthly income ($6,000 + $4,000) | $10,000 |
| 7.a | Basic obligation from the schedule, 2 children | $1,824 |
| 7.b | Health, dental and vision coverage for the children | $200 |
| 7.c | Work-related child care | $500 |
| 8 | Total obligation | $2,524 |
| 9 | Party A’s share of combined income | 60% |
| 10 | Party A’s share of the total (60% × $2,524) | $1,514 |
| 11 | Less the premium Party A pays directly | −$200 |
| 13 | Party A pays Party B each month | $1,314 |
Figures are rounded to the dollar as the worksheet instructions direct. Your result will depend on your own numbers.
Common questions
When does Virginia use the sole custody worksheet?
When one parent has the children most of the year and the other parent has them 90 days a year or fewer. If each parent has the children more than 90 days a year, the shared custody worksheet (DC-640) applies instead.
Who pays child support under DC-637?
The non-custodial parent, meaning the one the children don’t primarily live with, pays their percentage share of the total obligation to the custodial parent. The custodial parent’s share is presumed to be spent directly on the children.
Are health, dental and vision insurance included?
Yes. The cost of covering the children on health, dental and vision plans is added to the basic obligation. If the non-custodial parent pays those premiums directly, they get a credit for them on line 11.
Can a judge order a different amount?
Yes. The guideline amount is presumed correct, but a court can depart from it under Va. Code § 20-108.1(B) if it finds that applying the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate, and it must explain why in writing.