Va. Code » Title 20. Domestic Relations » Chapter 4.1. Support
Virginia Code

Va. Code Ann. § 20-60.3 (2026)

Contents of support orders

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All orders directing the payment of spousal support where there are minor children whom the parties have a mutual duty to support and all orders directing the payment of child support, including those orders confirming separation agreements, entered on or after October 1, 1985, whether they are original orders or modifications of existing orders, shall contain the following:

1. Notice that support payments may be withheld as they become due pursuant to § 20-79.1 or § 20-79.2, from income as defined in § 63.2-1900, without further amendments of this order or having to file an application for services with the Department of Social Services; however, absence of such notice in an order entered prior to July 1, 1988, shall not bar withholding of support payments pursuant to § 20-79.1;

2. Notice that support payments may be withheld pursuant to Chapter 19 (§ 63.2-1900 et seq.) of Title 63.2 without further amendments to the order upon application for services with the Department of Social Services; however, absence of such notice in an order entered prior to July 1, 1988, shall not bar withholding of support payments pursuant to Chapter 19 (§ 63.2-1900 et seq.) of Title 63.2;

3. The name, date of birth, and last four digits of the social security number of each child to whom a duty of support is then owed by the parent;

4. If known, the name, date of birth, and last four digits of the social security number of each parent of the child and, unless otherwise ordered, each parent's residential and, if different, mailing address, residential and employer telephone number, and number appearing on a driver's license or other document issued under Chapter 3 (§ 46.2-300 et seq.) of Title 46.2 or the comparable law of another jurisdiction, and the name and address of each parent's employer; however, when a protective order has been issued or the court otherwise finds reason to believe that a party is at risk of physical or emotional harm from the other party, information other than the name of the party at risk shall not be included in the order;

5. Notice that, pursuant to § 20-124.2, support will continue to be paid for any child over the age of 18 who is (i) a full-time high school student, (ii) not self-supporting, and (iii) living in the home of the party seeking or receiving child support until such child reaches the age of 19 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs first, and that the court may also order that support be paid or continue to be paid for any child over the age of 18 who is (a) severely and permanently mentally or physically disabled, and such disability existed prior to the child reaching the age of 18 or the age of 19 if the child met the requirements of clauses (i), (ii), and (iii); (b) unable to live independently and support himself; and (c) residing in the home of the parent seeking or receiving child support;

6. On and after July 1, 1994, notice that a petition may be filed for suspension of any license, certificate, registration or other authorization to engage in a profession, trade, business, occupation, or recreational activity issued by the Commonwealth to a parent as provided in § 63.2-1937 upon a delinquency for a period of 90 days or more or in an amount of $5,000 or more. The order shall indicate whether either or both parents currently hold such an authorization and, if so, the type of authorization held;

7. The monthly amount of support and the effective date of the order. In proceedings on initial petitions, the effective date shall be the date of filing of the petition; in modification proceedings, the effective date may be the date of notice to the responding party. The first monthly payment shall be due on the first day of the month following the hearing date and on the first day of each month thereafter. In addition, an amount shall be assessed for any full and partial months between the effective date of the order and the date that the first monthly payment is due. The assessment for the initial partial month shall be prorated from the effective date through the end of that month, based on the current monthly obligation;

8. a. An order for health care coverage, including the health insurance policy information, for dependent children pursuant to §§ 20-108.1 and 20-108.2 if available at reasonable cost as defined in § 63.2-1900, or a written statement that health care coverage is not available at a reasonable cost as defined in such section, and a statement as to whether there is an order for health care coverage for a spouse or former spouse; and

b. A statement as to whether cash medical support, as defined in § 63.2-1900, is to be paid by or reimbursed to a party pursuant to subsections D and G of § 20-108.2, and if such expenses are ordered, then the provisions governing how such payment is to be made;

9. a. If support arrearages exist, (i) to whom an arrearage is owed and the amount of the arrearage, (ii) the period of time for which such arrearage is calculated, and (iii) a direction that all payments are to be credited to current support obligations first, with any payment in excess of the current obligation applied to arrearages; and

b. If support overages exist, (i) to whom an overage is owed and the amount of the overage, (ii) the period of time for which such overage is calculated, and (iii) how such overage is to be paid;

10. If child support payments are ordered to be paid through the Department of Social Services or directly to the obligee, and unless the court for good cause shown orders otherwise, the parties shall give each other and the court and, when payments are to be made through the Department, the Department of Social Services at least 30 days' written notice, in advance, of any change of address and any change of telephone number within 30 days after the change;

11. If child support payments are ordered to be paid through the Department of Social Services, a provision requiring an obligor to keep the Department of Social Services informed, or if payments are ordered to be paid directly to the obligee, a provision requiring an obligor to keep the court informed, of (i) the name, address, and telephone number of his current employer; (ii) any change to his employment status; and (iii) if he has filed a claim for or is receiving benefits under the provisions of Title 60.2. The provision shall further specify that any such change in employment status or filing of a claim shall be communicated to the Department of Social Services or the court in writing within 30 days of such change or filing;

12. If child support payments are ordered to be paid through the Department of Social Services, a provision requiring the party obligated to provide health care coverage to keep the Department of Social Services informed of any changes in the availability of the health care coverage for the minor child or children, or if payments are ordered to be paid directly to the obligee, a provision requiring the party obligated to provide health care coverage to keep the other party informed of any changes in the availability of the health care coverage for the minor child or children;

13. The separate amounts due to each person under the order, unless the court specifically orders a unitary award of child and spousal support due or the order affirms a separation agreement containing provision for such unitary award;

14. Notice that in determination of a support obligation, the support obligation as it becomes due and unpaid creates a judgment by operation of law. The order shall also provide, pursuant to § 20-78.2, for interest on the arrearage at the judgment rate as established by § 6.2-302 unless the obligee, in a writing submitted to the court, waives the collection of interest;

15. Notice that on and after July 1, 1994, the Department of Social Services may, pursuant to Chapter 19 (§ 63.2-1900 et seq.) of Title 63.2 and in accordance with §§ 20-108.2 and 63.2-1921, initiate a review of the amount of support ordered by any court;

16. A statement that if any arrearages for child support, including interest or fees, exist at the time the youngest child included in the order emancipates, payments shall continue in the total amount due (current support plus amount applied toward arrearages) at the time of emancipation until all arrearages are paid; and

17. Notice that, in cases enforced by the Department of Social Services, the Department of Motor Vehicles may suspend or refuse to renew the driver's license, or other document issued under Chapter 3 (§ 46.2-300 et seq.) of Title 46.2 authorizing the operation of a motor vehicle upon the highways, of any person upon receipt of notice from the Department of Social Services that the person (i) is delinquent in the payment of child support by 90 days or in an amount of $5,000 or more or (ii) has failed to comply with a subpoena, summons, or warrant relating to paternity or child support proceedings.

The provisions of this section shall not apply to divorce decrees where there are no minor children whom the parties have a mutual duty to support.

1985, c. 488; 1986, c. 594; 1987, cc. 597, 658, 706; 1988, c. 906; 1991, cc. 651, 694; 1992, c. 199; 1993, c. 534; 1994, cc. 764, 795; 1997, cc. 796, 895; 1998, cc. 727, 884; 2000, c. 305; 2003, c. 625; 2004, c. 1008; 2006, cc. 720, 869; 2009, cc. 706, 713; 2015, cc. 653, 654; 2020, cc. 1227, 1246; 2021, Sp. Sess. I, c. 222; 2024, c. 51.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 33 cases (5 in the last 5 years), 1989–2026 · leading case: MacKie v. Hill, 429 S.E.2d 37 (Va. Ct. App. 1993).
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MacKie v. Hill, 429 S.E.2d 37 (Va. Ct. App. 1993). · cites it 10× “Pursuant to the requirements of Code § 20-60.3, paragraph 8 of the decree expressly provided that husband would be responsible for maintaining health insurance coverage for the parties’ minor daughter.”
Steven T. Russell v. Karen A. Russell, 759 S.E.2d 1 (Va. Ct. App. 2014). · cites it 4× “1(C), Code § 20-60.3(8), which addresses orders “directing the payment of spousal support where there are minor children whom the parties have a mutual duty to support and all orders directing the payment of child support,” requires among other things “a statement as to whether…”
Lassen v. Lassen, 383 S.E.2d 471 (Va. Ct. App. 1989). · cites it 2× “Code § 20-60.3(5) requires that spousal sup *506 port orders contain “[provision .”
Wyatt v. Virginia Dep't of Soc. Servs., 397 S.E.2d 412 (Va. Ct. App. 1990). · cites it 2× “The court therefore ordered Wyatt to pay support to the mother in accordance with Code § 20-60.3. This appeal followed. On appeal, Wyatt argues that the trial court erred in ordering him to pay support based on its finding, pursuant to Code § 20-49.”
White v. White, 564 S.E.2d 700 (Va. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 8× “6, entered for purposes of notice pursuant to Code § 20-60.3, 2 was a scrivener’s error because it contradict *393 ed the commissioner’s report, as well as two other sections of the Final Decree.”
Zubricki v. Motter, 406 S.E.2d 672 (Va. Ct. App. 1991). · cites it 2× “Under Code § 20-60.3, a child support order must contain a provision for health care coverage.”
Adcock v. Com., Dept. of Soc. Servs., 719 S.E.2d 304 (Va. 2011). · cites it 2× “906; see current Code § 20-60.3(14). Although that notice requirement was enacted after the dates relevant to the decree in this case, it is only by operation of Code § 8.”
Steven Lamont Forte v. Commonwealth of Virginia, 772 S.E.2d 303 (Va. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 2× “See Code § 20-60.3(9) (requiring a trial court to include, in an order directing the payment of child support where arrearages exist, among other things, the arrearages’ amount); see also Virginia Civil Benchbook for Lawyers and Judges § 7.”
Robin Lee Elliott v. Bryan Curtis Wendell, No. 0085162 (Va. Ct. App. Dec. 20, 2016). · cites it 11× “2 if available at reasonable cost as defined 2 Father argues that mother failed to preserve her objections to the circuit court’s rulings under Rule 5:25 (“No ruling of the trial court .”
Huy Le v. Yekaterina Le, No. 0596244 (Va. Ct. App. Sept. 16, 2025). · cites it 9× “” Code § 20-60.3(8)(a). A “reasonable cost” for health care coverage as it pertains to dependent children is: an amount not to exceed five percent of the gross income of the parent responsible for providing health care coverage, and accessible through employers, unions or other…”
Paul Anthony Battista v. Karen Merry Battista, No. 0586244 (Va. Ct. App. Oct. 28, 2025). · cites it 8× “The Mother’s Employment Information The father suggests that the March 2024 final order was void ab initio because it did not include “employment notice language” for the mother as required by Code § 20-60.3. He points to the statute’s references to the name, address, and phone…”
Arthur J. Scagnelli v. Nancy Hart, No. 1732054 (Va. Ct. App. May 9, 2006). · cites it 8× “” Further, as required by Code § 20-60.3(12), the final decree gave “[n]otice .”
Show all 33 citing cases →
Va. Code Ann. § 20-60.3(10): 1 case
Wells v. Wells, 33 Va. Cir. 245 (Fairfax Cir. Ct. 1994).
Va. Code Ann. § 20-60.3(11): 2 cases
Karen Feldman v. Richard Feldman, No. 0086032 (Va. Ct. App. Mar. 16, 2004).
Godday O. Abuede v. Gloria E. Wszolek, No. 0359222 (Va. Ct. App. July 18, 2023).
Va. Code Ann. § 20-60.3(12): 3 cases
Arthur J. Scagnelli v. Nancy Hart, No. 1732054 (Va. Ct. App. May 9, 2006). “” Further, as required by Code § 20-60.3(12), the final decree gave “[n]otice .”
Ambler v. Ambler, 85 Va. Cir. 330 (Roanoke County Cir. Ct. 2012).
Ronald D. Wolfe v. Stephanie A. Arthur, No. 1273074 (Va. Ct. App. Mar. 18, 2008).
Va. Code Ann. § 20-60.3(14): 2 cases
Adcock v. Com., Dept. of Soc. Servs., 719 S.E.2d 304 (Va. 2011). “906; see current Code § 20-60.3(14). Although that notice requirement was enacted after the dates relevant to the decree in this case, it is only by operation of Code § 8.”
Wills v. Wills (ORDER), 870 S.E.2d 314 (Va. 2022).
Va. Code Ann. § 20-60.3(2): 1 case
Babette C. Whitney v. Christopher J.R. Whitney, No. 2192062 (Va. Ct. App. May 15, 2007).
Va. Code Ann. § 20-60.3(4): 3 cases
Paul Anthony Battista v. Karen Merry Battista, No. 0586244 (Va. Ct. App. Oct. 28, 2025). “The Mother’s Employment Information The father suggests that the March 2024 final order was void ab initio because it did not include “employment notice language” for the mother as required by Code § 20-60.3. He points to the statute’s references to the name, address, and phone…”
Moss, No. 7:24-cv-00071 (W.D. Va. Mar. 30, 2026).
Barnett v. Barnett, 24 Va. Cir. 282 (Campbell Cir. Ct. 1991).
Va. Code Ann. § 20-60.3(5): 1 case
Lassen v. Lassen, 383 S.E.2d 471 (Va. Ct. App. 1989). “Code § 20-60.3(5) requires that spousal sup *506 port orders contain “[provision .”
Va. Code Ann. § 20-60.3(6): 2 cases
White v. White, 564 S.E.2d 700 (Va. Ct. App. 2002). “6, entered for purposes of notice pursuant to Code § 20-60.3, 2 was a scrivener’s error because it contradict *393 ed the commissioner’s report, as well as two other sections of the Final Decree.”
James Edward Greene v. Shirley Haynes Greene, No. 3031074 (Va. Ct. App. June 3, 2008).
Va. Code Ann. § 20-60.3(8): 1 case
Steven T. Russell v. Karen A. Russell, 759 S.E.2d 1 (Va. Ct. App. 2014). “1(C), Code § 20-60.3(8), which addresses orders “directing the payment of spousal support where there are minor children whom the parties have a mutual duty to support and all orders directing the payment of child support,” requires among other things “a statement as to whether…”
Va. Code Ann. § 20-60.3(8)(a): 3 cases
Huy Le v. Yekaterina Le, No. 0596244 (Va. Ct. App. Sept. 16, 2025). “” Code § 20-60.3(8)(a). A “reasonable cost” for health care coverage as it pertains to dependent children is: an amount not to exceed five percent of the gross income of the parent responsible for providing health care coverage, and accessible through employers, unions or other…”
Robin Lee Elliott v. Bryan Curtis Wendell, No. 0085162 (Va. Ct. App. Dec. 20, 2016). “2 if available at reasonable cost as defined 2 Father argues that mother failed to preserve her objections to the circuit court’s rulings under Rule 5:25 (“No ruling of the trial court .”
Barbara Deanne Smith v. Eric Wendell Thompson, No. 1483141 (Va. Ct. App. Apr. 7, 2015).
Va. Code Ann. § 20-60.3(8)(b): 1 case
Robin Lee Elliott v. Bryan Curtis Wendell, No. 0085162 (Va. Ct. App. Dec. 20, 2016). “2 if available at reasonable cost as defined 2 Father argues that mother failed to preserve her objections to the circuit court’s rulings under Rule 5:25 (“No ruling of the trial court .”
Va. Code Ann. § 20-60.3(9): 1 case
Steven Lamont Forte v. Commonwealth of Virginia, 772 S.E.2d 303 (Va. Ct. App. 2015). “See Code § 20-60.3(9) (requiring a trial court to include, in an order directing the payment of child support where arrearages exist, among other things, the arrearages’ amount); see also Virginia Civil Benchbook for Lawyers and Judges § 7.”
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