But more basically, a parent's obligation to support a child is quite separate from an equitable distribution award. The legislature enacted Code 20-107.3 to divide the value of marital property between spouses based upon each spouse's contribution to the acquisition, preservation, or improvement of property obtained during the marriage. 1 Va. App. 12 Va. App. A trial court determines distribution of marital property without regard for the considerations of spousal support and the factors in Code 20-107.1.
Equitable distribution is based on different considerations than spousal support.
Both parents owe a duty of support to their minor children. A custodial parent has no less responsibility to provide support to a minor child than does the noncustodial parent. Bennett v. Commonwealth, Dep't. of Social Servs. See also Hur v. Dep't. of Social Servs. 13 Va. App.