Estimate Your Maryland Child Support in Minutes
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Maryland Family Code in under a minute.
Maryland Child Support Calculator
Estimate based on Maryland “Income Shares” structure (simplified). For informational purposes only.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. Results may differ based on the Maryland guidelines schedule, judicial findings, and case-specific factors.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Child Support in Maryland
Discover what you need to know about Child Support Laws in Maryland.
Maryland calculates child support under the Maryland Child Support Guidelines, found in the Maryland Family Law Article § 12-201 through § 12-204. Maryland follows an income shares model, meaning the court estimates what both parents would have spent on the child if living together and then divides that obligation proportionally.
The formula is based on:
Both parents’ actual adjusted gross monthly incomes
The number of children
A statewide child support schedule
Health insurance premiums for the child
Work-related childcare expenses
Extraordinary medical expenses
Shared physical custody adjustments (when applicable)
Other court-approved deviations
Maryland uses standardized worksheets (Worksheet A for sole custody and Worksheet B for shared custody) to determine the presumptive support amount.
For an estimate tailored to your situation, you can use the Deliberately.ai child support calculator above—but only a court order is legally binding.
Child support in Maryland is influenced by:
Each parent’s actual income
The number of children
Whether custody is sole or shared (over 25% overnights triggers shared calculation)
Health insurance costs for the child
Work-related childcare expenses
Extraordinary medical expenses
Alimony paid or received
Court-approved deviations
Cases involving self-employment, variable income, or disputed parenting schedules may require more detailed financial analysis.
There is no universal amount. The final figure depends on:
Both parents’ verified income
The Maryland guideline schedule
Whether Worksheet A or Worksheet B applies
Health insurance and childcare allocations
Any approved deviations
For a reliable estimate before filing or negotiating, use the Deliberately.ai calculator above—keeping in mind the court has final authority.
In most cases, child support ends when the child:
Turns 18, or
Turns 19 if still enrolled in secondary school
The specific termination language in your court order controls.
Not necessarily automatically.
You should review your court order.
Wage withholding may continue unless properly terminated.
Arrears remain owed even after the support obligation ends.
It is important to confirm termination procedures through the court before stopping payments.
Yes. A child support order may be modified when:
There has been a material change in circumstances
Income has substantially increased or decreased
Custody or parenting time has changed
The existing order differs significantly from the guideline amount
Modifications generally apply prospectively from the date the motion is filed—not retroactively to previously owed support.
Timeframes depend on:
Whether the case is uncontested
Court scheduling in your county
Whether income or custody is disputed
The complexity of financial documentation
Uncontested cases may resolve within a few months. Contested cases may take significantly longer.
Maryland child support is intended to help cover:
Food
Clothing
Transportation
Basic daily living expenses
Health insurance premiums and work-related childcare expenses are typically added into the worksheet calculation.
It can—but only if:
The expenses are included in the official child support worksheet
The court order specifically accounts for them
Paying medical expenses outside the order does not automatically reduce your obligation.
Maryland generally considers actual adjusted gross income, which may include:
Wages and salary
Bonuses and commissions
Overtime
Self-employment income
Rental income
Unemployment or disability benefits
Social Security benefits (excluding SSI)
Other recurring income sources
If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may impute income based on earning capacity.
Failure to pay child support may result in enforcement actions such as:
Wage garnishment (income withholding)
Tax refund interception
Driver’s license suspension
Professional license suspension
Bank account seizure
Liens against property
Contempt proceedings
Enforcement efforts may intensify as arrears accumulate.
Arrears:
Remain owed until paid in full
Do not disappear when the child reaches termination age
May be collected through enforcement tools
May accrue interest under Maryland law
Unpaid support cannot be waived without court approval.
In serious cases of willful nonpayment, courts may initiate contempt proceedings. Consequences can include:
Fines
Probation
Possible jail time
If you are facing enforcement or contempt, seeking legal guidance early is strongly recommended.
Yes. Common enforcement tools include:
Automatic income withholding
Bank levies
Tax intercepts
Property liens
The Maryland Child Support Administration (CSA) has authority to pursue collection actions.
Not automatically.
Maryland recognizes shared physical custody when a parent has the child for more than 25% of overnights annually. In those cases:
Worksheet B applies
Income differences remain a primary factor
Even in shared custody situations, support may still be owed. For more information you can use our AI Child Support Calculator.
Possibly.
Support continues until age 19 if the child is still in high school.
Support may extend beyond age 18 for a child with qualifying disabilities.
College support is not automatic and typically requires agreement or specific court findings.
Parents cannot privately override a court order.
Child support is considered the right of the child.
Any modification must be approved by the court.
Private agreements without court approval may not be enforceable.
A lawyer is not required for straightforward cases. However, legal representation is strongly recommended when:
Income is disputed
Self-employment is involved
Arrears exist
A deviation from guidelines is requested
Custody arrangements are contested
You will typically need:
Recent pay stubs
Federal and state tax returns
Proof of health insurance costs
Childcare documentation
Existing court orders
Incomplete financial documentation is one of the most common causes of delay.
Child support cases are handled through Maryland Circuit Courts. Families may also work with the Maryland Child Support Administration (CSA) for establishment and enforcement services.
If income, custody, or expenses are likely to be contested, consulting an experienced Maryland family lawyer before filing can help prevent costly mistakes and delays.
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