In Depth Guide to Calculating Child Support in Maryland

Introduction: The Primacy of Parental Financial Responsibility

Maryland holds both parents financially responsible for children. When parents dissolve a marriage, or end a non-marital romantic relationship, this financial responsibility remains intact for the parents. Maryland will calculate and impose a child support obligation on the noncustodial parent – i.e. the parent who resides with the child for a minority of the time. The noncustodial parent pays this obligation to the custodial parent on a consistent schedule. Failing to pay this support obligation can lead to severe consequences.  

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The calculation of child support in Maryland almost always follows a consistent, formulaic approach. In other words, child support is calculated in the same manner for all payors, even though in very rare cases a judge might deviate from the established, formulaic model. Maryland’s calculation model is often referred to as the “income shares model,” an approach which is used by other jurisdictions around the country. We’ve discussed child support calculation in previous installments, but in this article we will tackle this topic in greater depth.

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The Ingredients of Child Support Calculation in Maryland

In order to calculate all child support obligations in the same manner, Maryland begins by collecting all the same information from future payors and payees. The “ingredients” of child support calculation in Maryland are as follows: (1) the “actual” or unadjusted income of each parent; unadjusted income includes just about every type of income imaginable, including salary from wages, commission income, bonus income, workers’ compensation benefits, Social Security benefits, income from a settlement, and so forth; (2) the “adjusted” income of each parent, which involves taking the actual income and deducting alimony payments and other child support payments for other children; (3) daytime child care expenses, which include daycare costs or other expenses incurred while a parent is at work and unable to supervise the child; (4) health insurance costs; (5) Other medical expenses aside from health insurance, such as hospital bills, dental surgeries and care, therapy bills, and other costs not covered by insurance.

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All these separate ingredients are compiled together and put down on a consolidated financial statement, which is submitted to the court. Lying on these financial statements is a serious offense and can lead to serious consequences, including jail time.

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The Formula of Child Support Calculation

Maryland uses a fixed formula to calculate child support. This means that child support is not based on “subjective factors,” which makes child support dissimilar from other aspects of marital dissolution, such as alimony. If two cases involve identical facts – i.e. the same number of minor children, the same income, the same health insurance costs, the same medical expenses, the same amount being paid to support other minor children, and so forth – then Maryland will develop identical child support amounts for those cases. Of course, as with anything else, there are always exceptions: if someone can clearly demonstrate that a straightforward application of the formula would be unjust, then the court may produce a result unique to a particular situation.

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Maryland has the so-called “income shares model” for its formulaic calculation of child support. This means that the child support obligation is derived from the combined income of both parents. The court takes the combined (adjusted) income of the parents and then develops a “basic child support obligation” by referencing the official support “Guidelines.” The obligation amount is based on the number of children being supported. Then, this basic obligation is increased by adding up the other expenses referenced in the financial statements. Then, the payor spouse pays a percentage of this grand total, and that percentage is determined based on the payor parent’s contribution to the combined income, along with the amount of time that the payor resides with the child.

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Contact the Murphy Law Firm for Additional Resources

To learn more about child support calculation in Maryland, child support modification, voluntary impoverishment and imputed income, or any other related family law matter, contact one of the family law lawyers at the Murphy Law Firm today by calling 240-222-1187.

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