{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/16.1-278.17_1.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/16.1-278.17_1.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/16.1-278.17_1.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/16.1-278.17_1.html"}],"law_id":83584,"edition_id":1,"section_id":83584,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.17:1","catch_line":"Formula for determination of pendente lite spousal support","history":"2007, c. 909; 2020, c. 651.","full_text":"A\n\nThere shall be a presumption in any judicial proceeding for pendente lite spousal support and maintenance under this title that the amount of the award that would result from the application of the formula set forth in this section is the correct amount of spousal support to be awarded. The court may deviate from the presumptive amount as provided in subsection D.B\n\nIf the court is determining both an award of pendente lite spousal support and maintenance and an award of child support, the court shall first make a determination of the amount of the award of pendente lite spousal support, if any, owed by one party to the other under this section.C\n\nIf the parties have minor children in common, the presumptive amount of an award of pendente lite spousal support and maintenance shall be the difference between 26 percent of the payor spouse&#8217;s monthly gross income and 58 percent of the payee spouse&#8217;s monthly gross income. If the parties have no minor children in common, the presumptive amount of the award shall be the difference between 27 percent of the payor spouse&#8217;s monthly gross income and 50 percent of the payee spouse&#8217;s monthly gross income. For the purposes of this section, monthly gross income shall have the same meaning as it does in &#xA7; 20-108.2.D\n\nThe court may deviate from the presumptive amount for good cause shown, including any relevant evidence relating to the parties&#8217; current financial circumstances or the impact of any tax exemption and any credits resulting from such exemption that indicates the presumptive amount is inappropriate.E\n\nThe presumptive formula set forth in this section shall only apply to cases where the parties&#8217; combined monthly gross income does not exceed $10,000.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":299540,"text":"There shall be a presumption in any judicial proceeding for pendente lite spousal support and maintenance under this title that the amount of the award that would result from the application of the formula set forth in this section is the correct amount of spousal support to be awarded. The court may deviate from the presumptive amount as provided in subsection D.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":299541,"text":"If the court is determining both an award of pendente lite spousal support and maintenance and an award of child support, the court shall first make a determination of the amount of the award of pendente lite spousal support, if any, owed by one party to the other under this section.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":299542,"text":"If the parties have minor children in common, the presumptive amount of an award of pendente lite spousal support and maintenance shall be the difference between 26 percent of the payor spouse&#8217;s monthly gross income and 58 percent of the payee spouse&#8217;s monthly gross income. If the parties have no minor children in common, the presumptive amount of the award shall be the difference between 27 percent of the payor spouse&#8217;s monthly gross income and 50 percent of the payee spouse&#8217;s monthly gross income. For the purposes of this section, monthly gross income shall have the same meaning as it does in &#xA7; 20-108.2.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":299543,"text":"The court may deviate from the presumptive amount for good cause shown, including any relevant evidence relating to the parties&#8217; current financial circumstances or the impact of any tax exemption and any credits resulting from such exemption that indicates the presumptive amount is inappropriate.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":299544,"text":"The presumptive formula set forth in this section shall only apply to cases where the parties&#8217; combined monthly gross income does not exceed $10,000.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13006,"edition_id":1,"name":"Disposition","identifier":"9","label":"article","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12701,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:08","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:08","permalink":{"id":161781,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13006,"identifier":"9","token":"16.1\/11\/9","url":"\/16.1\/11\/9\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12701,"edition_id":1,"name":"Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts","identifier":"11","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12700,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":160945,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12701,"identifier":"11","token":"16.1\/11","url":"\/16.1\/11\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12700,"edition_id":1,"name":"Courts Not of Record","identifier":"16.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":160919,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12700,"identifier":"16.1","token":"16.1","url":"\/16.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":61839,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278","catch_line":"Cooperation of certain agencies, officials, institutions and associations","url":"\/16.1-278\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278","metadata":false},{"id":71042,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.1","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/16.1-278.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.1","metadata":false},{"id":82666,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.10","catch_line":"Traffic infractions","url":"\/16.1-278.10\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.10","metadata":false},{"id":81073,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.11","catch_line":"Mental illness and intellectual disability","url":"\/16.1-278.11\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.11","metadata":false},{"id":63604,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.12","catch_line":"When judicial consent in lieu of parental consent authorized","url":"\/16.1-278.12\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.12","metadata":false},{"id":65268,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.13","catch_line":"Work permits; petitions for treatment, etc","url":"\/16.1-278.13\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.13","metadata":false},{"id":75260,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.14","catch_line":"Criminal jurisdiction; protective orders; family offenses","url":"\/16.1-278.14\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.14","metadata":false},{"id":78408,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.15","catch_line":"Custody or visitation, child or spousal support generally","url":"\/16.1-278.15\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.15","metadata":false},{"id":61778,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.16","catch_line":"Failure to comply with support obligation; payroll deduction; commitment","url":"\/16.1-278.16\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.16","metadata":false},{"id":63607,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.17","catch_line":"Pendente lite support","url":"\/16.1-278.17\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.17","metadata":false},{"id":83584,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.17:1","catch_line":"Formula for determination of pendente lite spousal support","url":"\/16.1-278.17_1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.17_1","metadata":false},{"id":59856,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.18","catch_line":"Money judgments","url":"\/16.1-278.18\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.18","metadata":false},{"id":74062,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.19","catch_line":"Attorney fees","url":"\/16.1-278.19\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.19","metadata":false},{"id":59979,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.2","catch_line":"Abused, neglected, or abandoned children or children without parental care","url":"\/16.1-278.2\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.2","metadata":false},{"id":54079,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.3","catch_line":"Relief of care and custody","url":"\/16.1-278.3\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.3","metadata":false},{"id":86609,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.4","catch_line":"Children in need of services","url":"\/16.1-278.4\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.4","metadata":false},{"id":62708,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.5","catch_line":"Children in need of supervision","url":"\/16.1-278.5\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.5","metadata":false},{"id":74489,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.6","catch_line":"Status offenders","url":"\/16.1-278.6\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.6","metadata":false},{"id":80876,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.7","catch_line":"Commitment to Department of Juvenile Justice","url":"\/16.1-278.7\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.7","metadata":false},{"id":54722,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.7:01","catch_line":"Department to give notice of the receipt of certain persons","url":"\/16.1-278.7_01\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.7_01","metadata":false},{"id":87505,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.7:02","catch_line":"Department to give notice of Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry requirements to certain persons","url":"\/16.1-278.7_02\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.7_02","metadata":false},{"id":62824,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.8","catch_line":"Delinquent juveniles","url":"\/16.1-278.8\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.8","metadata":false},{"id":67041,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.8:01","catch_line":"Juveniles found delinquent of first drug offense; screening; assessment; drug tests; costs and fees; education or treatment programs","url":"\/16.1-278.8_01\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.8_01","metadata":false},{"id":74546,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.9","catch_line":"Delinquent children; loss of driving privileges for alcohol, firearm, and drug offenses; truancy","url":"\/16.1-278.9\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.9","metadata":false},{"id":72132,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-279","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/16.1-279\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-279","metadata":false},{"id":62456,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-279.1","catch_line":"Protective order in cases of family abuse","url":"\/16.1-279.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-279.1","metadata":false},{"id":76101,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-280","catch_line":"Commitment of juveniles with mental illness or intellectual disability","url":"\/16.1-280\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-280","metadata":false},{"id":58560,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-281","catch_line":"Foster care plan","url":"\/16.1-281\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-281","metadata":false},{"id":56077,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-282","catch_line":"Foster care review","url":"\/16.1-282\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-282","metadata":false},{"id":55053,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-282.1","catch_line":"Permanency planning hearing for children in foster care","url":"\/16.1-282.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-282.1","metadata":false},{"id":56299,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-282.2","catch_line":"Annual foster care review","url":"\/16.1-282.2\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-282.2","metadata":false},{"id":75076,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-283","catch_line":"Termination of residual parental rights","url":"\/16.1-283\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-283","metadata":false},{"id":74001,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-283.1","catch_line":"Authority to enter into voluntary post-adoption contact and communication agreement","url":"\/16.1-283.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-283.1","metadata":false},{"id":85194,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-283.2","catch_line":"Restoration of parental rights","url":"\/16.1-283.2\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-283.2","metadata":false},{"id":55428,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-283.3","catch_line":"Review of voluntary continuing services and support agreements for former foster youth","url":"\/16.1-283.3\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-283.3","metadata":false},{"id":61757,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-284","catch_line":"When adult sentenced for juvenile offense","url":"\/16.1-284\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-284","metadata":false},{"id":54157,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-284.1","catch_line":"Placement in secure local facility","url":"\/16.1-284.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-284.1","metadata":false},{"id":59506,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-285","catch_line":"Duration of commitments","url":"\/16.1-285\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-285","metadata":false},{"id":75164,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-285.1","catch_line":"Commitment of serious offenders","url":"\/16.1-285.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-285.1","metadata":false},{"id":70403,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-285.2","catch_line":"Release and review hearing for serious offender","url":"\/16.1-285.2\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-285.2","metadata":false},{"id":84274,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-286","catch_line":"Cost of maintenance; approval of placement; semiannual review","url":"\/16.1-286\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-286","metadata":false},{"id":78593,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-287","catch_line":"Transfer of information upon commitment; information to be furnished by and to local school boards","url":"\/16.1-287\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-287","metadata":false},{"id":86549,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-288","catch_line":"Protection of religious affiliations","url":"\/16.1-288\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-288","metadata":false},{"id":70444,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-289","catch_line":"Review of order of commitment","url":"\/16.1-289\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-289","metadata":false},{"id":67111,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-289.1","catch_line":"Motions to reconsider orders for participation in continuing programs","url":"\/16.1-289.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-289.1","metadata":false},{"id":65314,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-290","catch_line":"Support of committed juvenile; support from estate of juvenile","url":"\/16.1-290\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-290","metadata":false},{"id":54758,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-290.1","catch_line":"Payment for court-ordered counseling, treatment or programs","url":"\/16.1-290.1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-290.1","metadata":false},{"id":66947,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-290.2","catch_line":"Certain information to be made available to certain defendants found not guilty","url":"\/16.1-290.2\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-290.2","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":63607,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.17","catch_line":"Pendente lite support","url":"\/16.1-278.17\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.17","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":59856,"structure_id":13006,"section_number":"16.1-278.18","catch_line":"Money judgments","url":"\/16.1-278.18\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.18","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/16.1-278.17:1\/","history_text":"<p>This law was first created in 2007. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?071+ful+CHAP0909\">909<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2020, chapter <a href=\"https:\/\/legacylis.virginia.gov\/cgi-bin\/legp604.exe?201+ful+CHAP0651\">651<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":161823,"object_type":"law","relational_id":83584,"identifier":"16.1-278.17:1","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.17_1","url":"\/16.1-278.17_1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/16.1-278.17_1\/","token":"16.1\/11\/9\/16.1-278.17_1","dublin_core":{"Title":"Formula for determination of pendente lite spousal support","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 16.1-278.17:1","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"A\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">A.<\/span> There shall be a <span class=\"dictionary\">presumption<\/span> in any judicial proceeding for <span class=\"dictionary\">pendente lite<\/span> spousal support and maintenance under this title that the amount of the award that would result from the application of the formula set forth in this section is the correct amount of spousal support to be awarded. <span class=\"dictionary\">The court<\/span> may deviate from the presumptive amount as provided in subsection D. <a id=\"paragraph-299540\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-278.17_1\/#A\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"B\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">B.<\/span> If <span class=\"dictionary\">the court<\/span> is determining both an award of <span class=\"dictionary\">pendente lite<\/span> spousal support and maintenance and an award of child support, <span class=\"dictionary\">the court<\/span> shall first make a determination of the amount of the award of <span class=\"dictionary\">pendente lite<\/span> spousal support, if any, owed by one <span class=\"dictionary\">party<\/span> to the other under this section. <a id=\"paragraph-299541\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-278.17_1\/#B\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"C\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">C.<\/span> If the parties have <span class=\"dictionary\">minor<\/span> children in common, the presumptive amount of an award of <span class=\"dictionary\">pendente lite<\/span> spousal support and maintenance shall be the difference between 26 percent of the payor spouse&#8217;s monthly gross income and 58 percent of the payee spouse&#8217;s monthly gross income. If the parties have no <span class=\"dictionary\">minor<\/span> children in common, the presumptive amount of the award shall be the difference between 27 percent of the payor spouse&#8217;s monthly gross income and 50 percent of the payee spouse&#8217;s monthly gross income. For the purposes of this section, monthly gross income shall have the same meaning as it does in &#xA7; <a class=\"law\" title=\"Guideline for determination of child support; quadrennial review by Child Support Guidelines Review Panel; executive summary\" href=\"\/20-108.2\/\">20-108.2<\/a>. <a id=\"paragraph-299542\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-278.17_1\/#C\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"D\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">D.<\/span> <span class=\"dictionary\">The court<\/span> may deviate from the presumptive amount for good cause shown, including any relevant <span class=\"dictionary\">evidence<\/span> relating to the parties&#8217; current financial circumstances or the impact of any tax exemption and any credits resulting from such exemption that indicates the presumptive amount is inappropriate. <a id=\"paragraph-299543\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-278.17_1\/#D\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section id=\"E\"><p><span class=\"prefix-number\">E.<\/span> The presumptive formula set forth in this section shall only apply to cases where the parties&#8217; combined monthly gross income does not exceed $10,000. <a id=\"paragraph-299544\" class=\"section-permalink\" href=\"https:\/\/vacode.org\/16.1-278.17_1\/#E\"><i class=\"fa fa-link\"><\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":"                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nFORMULA FOR DETERMINATION OF PENDENTE LITE SPOUSAL SUPPORT (\u00a7 16.1-278.17:1)\n\nA. There shall be a presumption in any judicial proceeding for pendente lite\nspousal support and maintenance under this title that the amount of the award\nthat would result from the application of the formula set forth in this section\nis the correct amount of spousal support to be awarded. The court may deviate\nfrom the presumptive amount as provided in subsection D.\n\nB. If the court is determining both an award of pendente lite spousal support\nand maintenance and an award of child support, the court shall first make a\ndetermination of the amount of the award of pendente lite spousal support, if\nany, owed by one party to the other under this section.\n\nC. If the parties have minor children in common, the presumptive amount of an\naward of pendente lite spousal support and maintenance shall be the difference\nbetween 26 percent of the payor spouse&#8217;s monthly gross income and 58\npercent of the payee spouse&#8217;s monthly gross income. If the parties have no\nminor children in common, the presumptive amount of the award shall be the\ndifference between 27 percent of the payor spouse&#8217;s monthly gross income\nand 50 percent of the payee spouse&#8217;s monthly gross income. For the\npurposes of this section, monthly gross income shall have the same meaning as it\ndoes in &#xA7; 20-108.2.\n\nD. The court may deviate from the presumptive amount for good cause shown,\nincluding any relevant evidence relating to the parties&#8217; current financial\ncircumstances or the impact of any tax exemption and any credits resulting from\nsuch exemption that indicates the presumptive amount is inappropriate.\n\nE. The presumptive formula set forth in this section shall only apply to cases\nwhere the parties&#8217; combined monthly gross income does not exceed $10,000.\n\nHISTORY: 2007, c. 909; 2020, c. 651.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}