Both parents owe a duty of support to their children. Children are entitled to whatever financial advantages they would have enjoyed had the family remained intact. Child support is awarded in accordance with statutory guidelines, which are based on the combined gross income of both parents. Also factored into the guidelines are the costs of medical insurance for the children, the cost of day care, and the cost of any extraordinary medical costs incurred by the children.
Courts presume that the amount derived from the guidelines as child support is appropriate.
Virginia does not have a statute of limitations with respect to child support orders. You can pursue your right to unpaid child support at any time, even after your child is emancipated. Further, child support obligations are not dischargeable in bankruptcy. My child's other parent is consistently late in paying child support. In Virginia you cannot collect interest on late child support payments that you have already accepted.