How Does The Court Calculate Child Support In Maryland?
The State of Maryland relies on the “Income Shares Model.” Every divorced parent will, as a result of this model, need to pay a certain amount of money, every month, to support their children.
To calculate the amount of child support that both parents must pay, on a monthly basis, the Maryland courts rely on a clear set of guidelines.
What Is Considered Income That Can Be Paid Towards Child Support In Maryland?
To calculate the amount of money both parents will owe, in child support, the Maryland courts will assess many different types of income. Some of these income types are as follows:
- Salary/Wages from Work
- Bonuses from Work
- Tips
- Commissions from Work
- Compensation Benefits
- Social Security Benefits
- Alimony Payments
- Income From a Rental Property
- Pension Payments
Calculating the income types outlined above allows the Maryland court to determine both parent’s monthly income.
Several income types are not considered income that can be paid towards child support. Some of these income types are as follows:
- Supplemental Security Income
- Food Stamps
- Cash From A Temporary Cash Assistance Program
Every single one of the income types is from a means-tested public assistance program which, as per the laws within Maryland, is not considered income that can be paid towards child support.
How Does The Court Use Each Parent’s Income To Determine Their Child Support Obligation?
Right after the Maryland court goes over the income types mentioned earlier and, in doing so, determines the both parent’s monthly income, the court will subtract certain figures from this income.
The “certain figures,” in question, are either parent’s pre-existing court-ordered child support obligations, as well as any current alimony obligations. Subtracting these figures produces an “adjusted income” figure.
Once the adjusted income of both parents has been determined, the two figures will then be combined together. By combining these two figures, the Maryland court will have a single income figure.
Right after this single income figure has been produced, the Maryland court can determine a total support obligation. The total support obligation serves as a single monthly figure that both parents will need to pay a percentage of.
To calculate the percentage that each parent will need to pay, on a monthly basis, the Maryland courts will consider the monthly income for each parent.
Just as an example, if the mother earns $12,000 per-month, and the father earns $8,000 per-month, then the mother will be ordered to pay 60% of the total support obligation. The father will, due to earning less money than the mother, be ordered to pay 40% of the total support obligation.
Do You Need Legal Help?
If you have legal questions about child support in Maryland, it can be very beneficial to speak with a capable Maryland child support attorney. Based in Bel Air, Maryland, the attorneys at Schlaich & Thompson, Chartered have more than 60 years of combined legal experience in family and criminal law, including divorce. If you need legal help, contact us today for an initial consultation.
Sources:
codes.findlaw.com/md/family-law/md-code-family-sect-12-201.html
mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gfl§ion=12-201
