Virginia Changes "First Come, First Served" for Multiple Orders

Effective March 30, 2006, the State of Virginia no longer follows their “first come, first served” policy regarding allocation of multiple child support orders. Section 20-79.3(A)(8) of the Code of Virginia brings the state into compliance with federal law regarding allocation of available income when there are multiple orders for child support against one noncustodial parent.

Under the new law, employers now must allocate child support payments across all orders for current support so that each order receives the appropriate proportional share (proportionate allocation).

Examples and other information regarding Virginia’s new law may be found at www.dss.virginia.gov/family/dcse.html.