Divorce is never easy, but the process can be even more complicated and emotional when children are involved. As a parent, you must support your children even if you are no longer married or in a relationship with the other parent.
Even if you were never married to your child’s other parent, you still have obligations and rights regarding child support. When it comes to calculating and understanding your legal rights and responsibilities, it is imperative that you speak with a qualified and experienced Howard County family lawyer.
Fred L. Coover, Esquire of Coover Law Firm, LLC in Howard County, can help you during this challenging time. Call (410) 553-5042 today.
What Are Essential Aspects of Child Support Payments?
There are several essential elements of child support payments that you should keep in mind:
- The paying parent will almost always be ordered to make monthly payments to the parent with custody of the child (custodial parent).
- Child support must be made via direct money payment to the custodial parent. The paying parent cannot send money directly to the child.
- The court retains the authority to change the child support order. It’s important to understand that these orders are not concrete and can be amended if conditions change.
- Payment ends automatically when the child turns 18, dies, or becomes emancipated. Usually, a child will only be granted emancipation if they are married or self-supporting.
Maryland child support laws are often confusing for families and require much effort. Contact a Howard County child support attorney at Coover Law Firm today for assistance in determining and complying with state laws.
What Are Maryland Child Support Guidelines?
The Maryland Child Support Guidelines are a helpful tool for understanding your rights and obligations. These guidelines are the formula that Maryland employs to determine how much the custodial parent should receive and how much the non-custodial parent should have to pay.
Parents might also have shared physical custody (parents that have children overnight for more than 35% of the year). The guideline amounts will change depending on the parent’s income and the number of children supported.
Child Support Law
Under the new statute in 2020, shared custody is applicable when the non-custodial parent has the child more than 30% of the time (100 or more overnights each year). The specific changes are as follows:
- Redefinition of Shared Physical Custody: Previously, shared physical custody was defined as the non-custodial parent having the child for at least 35% of the time (approximately 128 overnights per year). Under the 2020 statute, this threshold was lowered to more than 25% of the time, or at least 92 overnights per year.
- Application of Sole Custody Guidelines: Sole custody guidelines now apply when the non-custodial parent has the child for less than 25% of the time, meaning fewer than 92 overnights annually .
- Graduated Adjustment for 25%–30% Custody: For cases where the non-custodial parent has the child between 25% and 30% of the time (92 to 109 overnights per year), a graduated adjustment formula is applied to calculate child support obligations. This formula incrementally adjusts the support amount based on the exact percentage of overnights .
These changes were implemented to address the “cliff effect,” where a small change in custody time could lead to a significant change in child support obligations. By introducing a graduated adjustment, the law aims to create a more equitable system that reflects the actual time each parent spends with the child.
To avoid confusion and possible mistakes in calculating support, consult with a Howard County child support lawyer at Coover Law Firm.
What Factors Determine Child Support in Maryland?
Courts will examine both parents’ financial situations and determine the amount of child support payable. The guidelines consider several factors in determining the amount:
Determine the parents’ actual income before taxes.
Actual income includes wages, salaries, Social Security benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, bonuses, dividends, commissions, disability benefits, interest income, and trust income.
Determine the adjusted monthly income.
Adjusted monthly income is actual income minus support and alimony obligations already paid.
Work-related child care expenses.
This includes daycare.
Health insurance and extraordinary medical expenses.
Any uninsured medical expense over $100, including dental treatments, orthodontic work, physical therapy, and mental health counseling.
These are just some considerations to remember when calculating the amount of child support payable under Maryland law. If you seek or challenge a deviation from the Maryland Child Support Guidelines, ensure an experienced Maryland Family Law lawyer represents you.
Child Support: More Than a Check
Child support isn’t limited to direct money payments. Many orders often address other needs, such as:
- Maintaining the child’s beneficiary status on health and life insurance policies
- Paying the total cost of after-school daycare
- Paying for transportation costs to the parent with visitation rights (round-trip plane tickets, gas, etc.)
An experienced Howard County child support attorney will help you navigate this stressful time and ensure both parties act in the child’s best interests. Call Coover Law Firm today at (410) 553-5042.
Experienced Family Law Attorney Ready to Answer Your Child Support Questions
Questions regarding your situation should be directed to an experienced Howard County family lawyer like Fred L. Coover, Esquire. With over 35 years of experience, Fred L. Coover, Esquire of Coover Law Firm, LLC, can help answer all your questions about Maryland child support payments and obligations.
If you have questions or concerns, contact a Howard County child support attorney with the Coover Law Firm, LLC in Columbia, Maryland, at (410) 553-5042 to schedule a paid consultation.
Child support resources in Howard County
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Child Support – Legal Support
