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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>54223</law_id><section_number>20-60.3</section_number><catch_line>Contents of support orders</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>20-60.6</reference><reference>20-79.1</reference><reference>63.2-1917</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="20">Domestic Relations</unit><unit label="chapter" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="4.1">Support</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>All <span class="dictionary">orders</span> directing the payment of spousal support where there are <span class="dictionary">minor</span> children whom the parties have a mutual duty to support and all <span class="dictionary">orders</span> directing the payment of child support, including those <span class="dictionary">orders</span> confirming separation agreements, entered on or after October 1, 1985, whether they are original <span class="dictionary">orders</span> or modifications of existing <span class="dictionary">orders</span>, shall contain the following:</p></section>
						<section id="1"><p><span class="prefix-number">1.</span> Notice that support payments may be withheld as they become due pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Enforcement of support orders; income deduction; penalty for wrongful discharge" href="/20-79.1/">20-79.1</a> or &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Immediate income deduction; income withholding" href="/20-79.2/">20-79.2</a>, from income as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/63.2-1900/">63.2-1900</a>, without further amendments of this <span class="dictionary">order</span> or having to file an application for services with the Department of Social Services; however, absence of such notice in an <span class="dictionary">order</span> entered prior to July 1, 1988, shall not bar withholding of support payments pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Enforcement of support orders; income deduction; penalty for wrongful discharge" href="/20-79.1/">20-79.1</a>; <a id="paragraph-199114" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-60.3/#1"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="2"><p><span class="prefix-number">2.</span> Notice that support payments may be withheld pursuant to Chapter 19 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/63.2-1900/">63.2-1900</a> et seq.) of Title 63.2 without further amendments to the <span class="dictionary">order</span> upon application for services with the Department of Social Services; however, absence of such notice in an <span class="dictionary">order</span> entered prior to July 1, 1988, shall not bar withholding of support payments pursuant to Chapter 19 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/63.2-1900/">63.2-1900</a> et seq.) of Title 63.2; <a id="paragraph-199115" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-60.3/#2"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="3"><p><span class="prefix-number">3.</span> 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; <a id="paragraph-199116" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-60.3/#3"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="4"><p><span class="prefix-number">4.</span> 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&#x2019;s residential and, if different, mailing address, residential and employer telephone number, and number appearing on a driver&#x2019;s license or other document issued under Chapter 3 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Driving without license prohibited; penalties" href="/46.2-300/">46.2-300</a> et seq.) of Title 46.2 or the comparable <span class="dictionary">law</span> of another <span class="dictionary">jurisdiction</span>, and the name and address of each parent&#x2019;s employer; however, when a protective <span class="dictionary">order</span> has been issued or the <span class="dictionary">court</span> otherwise finds reason to believe that a <span class="dictionary">party</span> is at risk of physical or emotional harm from the other <span class="dictionary">party</span>, information other than the name of the <span class="dictionary">party</span> at risk shall not be included in the <span class="dictionary">order</span>; <a id="paragraph-199117" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-60.3/#4"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="5"><p><span class="prefix-number">5.</span> Notice that, pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Court-ordered custody and visitation arrangements" href="/20-124.2/">20-124.2</a>, 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 <span class="dictionary">party</span> seeking or receiving child support until such child reaches the age of 19 or graduates from high school, whichever occurs first, and that the <span class="dictionary">court</span> may also <span class="dictionary">order</span> 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; <a id="paragraph-199118" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-60.3/#5"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="6"><p><span class="prefix-number">6.</span> On and after July 1, 1994, notice that a <span class="dictionary">petition</span> 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 &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Applications for occupational or other license to include social security or control number; suspension upon delinquency; procedure" href="/63.2-1937/">63.2-1937</a> upon a delinquency for a period of 90 days or more or in an amount of $5,000 or more. The <span class="dictionary">order</span> shall indicate whether either or both parents currently hold such an authorization and, if so, the type of authorization held; <a id="paragraph-199119" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-60.3/#6"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="7"><p><span class="prefix-number">7.</span> The monthly amount of support and the effective date of the <span class="dictionary">order</span>. In proceedings on initial <span class="dictionary">petitions</span>, the effective date shall be the date of filing of the <span class="dictionary">petition</span>; in modification proceedings, the effective date may be the date of notice to the responding <span class="dictionary">party</span>. The first monthly payment shall be due on the first day of the month following the <span class="dictionary">hearing</span> 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 <span class="dictionary">order</span> 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; <a id="paragraph-199120" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-60.3/#7"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="8"><p><span class="prefix-number">8.</span> a. An <span class="dictionary">order</span> for health care coverage, including the health insurance policy information, for dependent children pursuant to &#xA7;&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Determination of child or spousal support" href="/20-108.1/">20-108.1</a> and <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> if available at reasonable cost as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/63.2-1900/">63.2-1900</a>, 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 <span class="dictionary">order</span> for health care coverage for a spouse or former spouse; and
			b. A statement as to whether cash medical support, as defined in &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/63.2-1900/">63.2-1900</a>, is to be paid by or reimbursed to a <span class="dictionary">party</span> pursuant to subsections D and G of &#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>, and if such expenses are ordered, then the provisions governing how such payment is to be made; <a id="paragraph-199121" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-60.3/#8"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="9"><p><span class="prefix-number">9.</span> 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; <a id="paragraph-199122" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-60.3/#9"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="10"><p><span class="prefix-number">10.</span> If child support payments are ordered to be paid through the Department of Social Services or directly to the obligee, and unless the <span class="dictionary">court</span> for good cause shown <span class="dictionary">orders</span> otherwise, the parties shall give each other and the <span class="dictionary">court</span> and, when payments are to be made through the Department, the Department of Social Services at least 30 days&#x2019; written notice, in advance, of any change of address and any change of telephone number within 30 days after the change; <a id="paragraph-199123" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-60.3/#10"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="11"><p><span class="prefix-number">11.</span> 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 <span class="dictionary">court</span> 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 <span class="dictionary">court</span> in writing within 30 days of such change or filing; <a id="paragraph-199124" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-60.3/#11"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="12"><p><span class="prefix-number">12.</span> If child support payments are ordered to be paid through the Department of Social Services, a provision requiring the <span class="dictionary">party</span> 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 <span class="dictionary">minor</span> child or children, or if payments are ordered to be paid directly to the obligee, a provision requiring the <span class="dictionary">party</span> obligated to provide health care coverage to keep the other <span class="dictionary">party</span> informed of any changes in the availability of the health care coverage for the <span class="dictionary">minor</span> child or children; <a id="paragraph-199125" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-60.3/#12"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="13"><p><span class="prefix-number">13.</span> The separate amounts due to each person under the <span class="dictionary">order</span>, unless the <span class="dictionary">court</span> specifically <span class="dictionary">orders</span> a unitary award of child and spousal support due or the <span class="dictionary">order</span> <span class="dictionary">affirms</span> a separation agreement containing provision for such unitary award; <a id="paragraph-199126" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-60.3/#13"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="14"><p><span class="prefix-number">14.</span> Notice that in determination of a support obligation, the support obligation as it becomes due and unpaid creates a <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> by operation of <span class="dictionary">law</span>. The <span class="dictionary">order</span> shall also provide, pursuant to &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Attorney fees and interest on support arrearage" href="/20-78.2/">20-78.2</a>, for interest on the arrearage at the <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> rate as established by &#xA7; <a class="law" title="Judgment rate of interest" href="/6.2-302/">6.2-302</a> unless the obligee, in a writing submitted to the <span class="dictionary">court</span>, <span class="dictionary">waives</span> the collection of interest; <a id="paragraph-199127" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-60.3/#14"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="15"><p><span class="prefix-number">15.</span> Notice that on and after July 1, 1994, the Department of Social Services may, pursuant to Chapter 19 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Definitions" href="/63.2-1900/">63.2-1900</a> et seq.) of Title 63.2 and in accordance with &#xA7;&#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> and <a class="law" title="Authority to initiate reviews of certain orders" href="/63.2-1921/">63.2-1921</a>, initiate a review of the amount of support ordered by any <span class="dictionary">court</span>; <a id="paragraph-199128" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-60.3/#15"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="16"><p><span class="prefix-number">16.</span> A statement that if any arrearages for child support, including interest or fees, exist at the time the youngest child included in the <span class="dictionary">order</span> 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 <a id="paragraph-199129" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-60.3/#16"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section>
						<section id="17"><p><span class="prefix-number">17.</span> Notice that, in cases enforced by the Department of Social Services, the Department of Motor Vehicles may suspend or refuse to renew the driver&#x2019;s license, or other document issued under Chapter 3 (&#xA7; <a class="law" title="Driving without license prohibited; penalties" href="/46.2-300/">46.2-300</a> 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 <span class="dictionary">subpoena</span>, <span class="dictionary">summons</span>, or warrant relating to paternity or child support proceedings.
			The provisions of this section shall not apply to divorce <span class="dictionary">decrees</span> where there are no <span class="dictionary">minor</span> children whom the parties have a mutual duty to support. <a id="paragraph-199130" class="section-permalink" href="https://vacode.org/20-60.3/#17"><i class="fa fa-link"/></a></p></section></text><history>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.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
