Child support in Maryland is determined though a
straight-forward process.  The gross incomes of the parents is
added together, a number is taken off of a chart (the child
support guidelines) based on the income and the number of
children, and that is the basic child support obligation.  To that
is added any work related day care and extraordinary medical
expenses, such as braces.  That number is then divided
between the parties in proportion to their incomes, and the
parent without custody pays his or her portion of to the other
parent.

The court may deviate from the guidelines, but he must find
and state on the record why it is in the best interest of the
children to receive less than the guidelines amount.  Not an
easy obstacle to overcome.

Support is either paid directly to the custodial parent by the
non-custodial parent, or is paid through an earnings withholding
order by the employer of the non-custodial parent. Support can
also be paid through the Department of Social Services.

What if my income exceeds the guidelines amount?
If your incomes exceed the maximum covered by the guidelines
(currently $10,000 per month combined gross income) then the
amount of child support to be paid is at the discretion of the
court.  Although there are a lot of factors that would go into
the calculation, the court will generally look at what the
guidelines would say if they went that far, and will often use it
as the basis of the calculation anyway.

When does Child Support Start?
You have a moral and legal obligation to support your children,
and should pay child support from the date of separation.  The
court, however, cannot award child support until someone asks
for it.  And no matter when the case goes to court, the judge
must award child support back to the date the request for child
support was filed.  That means that even if there is no order,
you could end up with an arrearage, unless you pay from the
beginning.

Other Questions
If you have additional questions, send an e-mail to
mike@whlawfirm.com, giving a brief description of your
situation, and your contact information.

Click here to calculate child support
Willis & Henderson, P.A.
Attorneys at Law
3290 North Ridge Road
Suite 210
Ellicott City, MD 21043

410-461-9400
Child Support
Willis & Henderson, P.A.
Attorneys at Law
3290 North Ridge Road
Suite 210
Ellicott City, MD 21043

410-461-9400
A good lawyer can make all the difference

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