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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>57756</law_id><section_number>20-78.2</section_number><catch_line>Attorney fees and interest on support arrearage</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>20-60.3</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="5">Desertion and Nonsupport</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>The entry of an <span class="dictionary">order</span> or <span class="dictionary">decree</span> of support for a spouse or for support and maintenance of a child under the provisions of this chapter or &#xA7;&#xA7;&#xA0;<a class="law" title="Court may decree as to maintenance and support of spouses" href="/20-107.1/">20-107.1</a> through <a class="law" title="Changing maintenance and support for a spouse; effect of stipulations as to maintenance and support for a spouse; cessation upon cohabitation, remarriage, or death; effect of retirement" href="/20-109/">20-109</a> shall constitute a final <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> for any sum or sums in <span class="dictionary">arrears</span>. This <span class="dictionary">order</span> shall also include an amount for interest on the arrearage including from the date support is established or retroactively modified at the <span class="dictionary">judgment</span> interest rate as established by &#xA7;&#xA0;<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; and may include reasonable attorney fees if the total arrearage for support and maintenance, excluding interest, is equal to or greater than three months of support and maintenance.</p></section></text><history>1983, c. 488; 1987, c. 190; 1995, c. 483; 2005, c. 880; 2022, c. 527.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
