Opinion ID: 2443285
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Calculation of Arrearages

Text: Virginia courts subscribe to the view that [I]t is the obligation of the divorced husband to pay the specified amounts according to the terms of the decree and that he should not be permitted to vary these terms to suit his convenience. ... To permit him to increase the amount of the specified payments at one time, reduce them at another, and require an adjustment of the differences in the future, would lead to continuous trouble and turmoil. [22] To prevent such trouble and turmoil, overpayments are considered to be gratuities, and a spouse who wishes to account for them as warrant[ing] a change in the terms of the decree must apply to the court for such relief. [23] Virginia courts are clear on this issue: A spouse ordered to pay support must pay according to the terms of the decree and payments made in excess of the amount ordered are gifts or gratuities and cannot be credited to his obligation to pay the support award. [24] Therefore, it was error for the court to offset Mr. Stroup's arrearages by the amounts he paid beyond what the Agreement required.