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Reviewed for current 2026 law

West Virginia Child Support Garnishment Calculator

Apply West Virginia’s four situation-specific withholding ceilings.

Reviewed by SupportDecode Editorial Team Page content reviewed Sources Methodology Update log

garnishment calculator

Earnings

Weekly pay left after deductions required by law, such as taxes (15 U.S.C. 1672). Voluntary deductions still count as disposable.

Situation
Does the paying parent support another spouse or dependent child?
Do the arrears cover a period more than 12 weeks ago?

Maximum weekly withholding for support: $400.00

That is 50% of disposable earnings under the West Virginia cap for this situation (W. Va. Code § 48-14-408), at or below the federal CCPA tier.

How this limit was computed
Line itemAmount
Federal CCPA ceiling: 60% of disposable earnings (15 U.S.C. 1673(b)(2))15 U.S.C. 1673 (CCPA garnishment limits: 50/55/60/65% for support) (U.S. Congress (text via Cornell LII mirror))$480.00
State cap: 50% of disposable earnings (W. Va. Code § 48-14-408)West Virginia limits ordinary support withholding to 40%/50%, rising to 45%/55% when part of the withholding is for arrears older than 12 weeks. These are stricter than the parallel federal tiers.W. Va. Code § 48-14-408 — determination of amounts withheld (West Virginia Legislature)$400.00
Maximum support withholding: 50% of disposable earnings15 U.S.C. 1673 (CCPA garnishment limits: 50/55/60/65% for support) (U.S. Congress (text via Cornell LII mirror))$400.00

Assumptions

  • Disposable earnings are earnings minus deductions required by law (15 U.S.C. 1672); voluntary deductions are not subtracted.
  • Obligor does not support another spouse or dependent child.
  • No arrears older than 12 weeks.

Estimate only. The court or state agency calculation controls.

West Virginia cap under W. Va. Code § 48-14-408; federal ceiling under 15 U.S.C. 1673(b)(2). Rules last reviewed 2026-08-10.

West Virginia is stricter than the federal tiers

Without arrears older than 12 weeks, the cap is 40% when another spouse or dependent is supported and 50% otherwise.

When part of the withholding covers older arrears, those limits rise to 45% and 55%.

Second family
40% or 45%source
No second family
50% or 55%source
Old-arrears test
More than 12 weekssource

Start with disposable earnings

Disposable earnings are pay after deductions required by law, not take-home pay after every voluntary deduction.

What this estimate includes

  • All four ordinary state caps
  • Federal comparison

What it leaves out

  • Bonus withholding
  • Exact ordered amount
  • Multiple-order allocation
  • Payroll proration

West Virginia garnishment calculator FAQs

What is the lowest cap?

40% when the payer supports another spouse or dependent and no covered arrears are older than 12 weeks.

What is the highest ordinary cap?

55% when there is no second family and part of the withholding covers older arrears.

Are these lower than federal limits?

Yes, by ten percentage points in each parallel situation.

Do different rules apply to bonuses?

Yes; BCSE may withhold up to 50% of an employment-related bonus for arrears.

Are gross wages used?

No.

Is the ceiling always withheld?

No.

Official sources

Official sources last verified: .

Changelog: page reviewed . Material changes appear in the update log.