How Is Child Support Calculated in Maryland?

When parents separate or divorce in Maryland, child support is a key issue that must be addressed to ensure a child’s financial well-being. Maryland law uses a specific formula to determine how much support one parent must pay to the other. At The Law Office of Kristin Gooray Hagood LLC, we provide legal assistance to individuals throughout Maryland who need help understanding or navigating the child support process.

Maryland’s Child Support Guidelines

Maryland uses an “income shares” model to calculate child support. This approach assumes that a child should receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if the parents lived together. The calculation is primarily based on:

• Each parent’s actual income
• The number of children involved
• Work-related child care costs
• Health insurance premiums for the child
• Extraordinary medical or educational expenses
• The number of overnights each parent has with the child

The Maryland Child Support Guidelines apply to most cases and are found in the Maryland Family Law Code §12-204.

Income Considerations

"Actual income" includes wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, rental income, pensions, and other forms of compensation. In some situations, if a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may assign “imputed income” based on earning capacity.

Shared vs. Sole Physical Custody

Custody arrangements significantly impact support calculations. If one parent has the child for fewer than 92 overnights per year, the other parent is considered to have sole physical custody, and standard guidelines apply.

If both parents have the child for at least 92 overnights per year, the court uses shared custody guidelines. These usually result in a different amount of support, often lower than sole custody scenarios, because both parents are contributing to daily expenses.

Adjustments and Deviations

While the guidelines are presumed to be correct, the court can deviate from them if applying the standard formula would be unjust or inappropriate. Factors considered for deviation may include:

• The child’s special needs
• The parent’s ability to provide financial support beyond basic needs
• Educational expenses
• Travel expenses for visitation

Enforcing and Modifying Child Support

Once an order is in place, it is legally enforceable. If a parent fails to pay, they may face penalties including wage garnishment or license suspension. Child support orders can also be modified if there is a significant change in circumstances, such as a job loss or change in custody.

Get the Support You Need

Child support calculations in Maryland can feel complex, but having the right guidance can make the process clearer and more manageable. At The Law Office of Kristin Gooray Hagood LLC, we help Maryland parents understand their obligations and rights when it comes to supporting their children.