Maryland Child Support Calculator

How Maryland Calculates Child Support

Maryland determines child support by combining your and the other parent's monthly income to see what your family's budget would be if you were together. The state uses a guideline chart to find a total support amount, and then you are each responsible for a percentage of that amount based on your share of the combined income.

Understanding MD's Shared Custody Rules

In Maryland, if a child stays with each parent for at least 92 overnights per year (25% of the time), it is considered 'shared physical custody' and a different formula applies. This special calculation accounts for the increased costs of maintaining two separate homes for the child and adjusts the final support amount based on each parent's percentage of time.

Maryland Child Support FAQs

At what age does child support end in MD?

In Maryland, the obligation to pay child support typically ends when a child turns 18. However, support will continue until the child turns 19 if they are still enrolled full-time in high school.

How is child support calculated if one parent is unemployed in MD?

If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, a judge can 'impute' income, calculating support based on what that parent could potentially earn. If the unemployment is involuntary, the court may base the support calculation on their actual income, such as unemployment benefits.

How do I modify a child support order in MD?

To modify a child support order in Maryland, you must prove a 'material change in circumstances.' A change in either parent's income that would cause the child support payment to change by 25% or more is legally considered a material change that justifies a modification.

Does MD child support cover college expenses?

No, Maryland child support obligations do not automatically extend to cover college expenses. Parents can, however, create a binding written agreement to share these costs, which a court can then enforce as part of a child support order.

How does MD handle health insurance and childcare costs?

The costs of the child's health insurance premium and any work-related childcare are treated as additional expenses. These costs are added to the basic child support obligation and are divided between the parents in proportion to their respective incomes.