CHILD SUPPORT CALCULATIONS
CHILD SUPPORT ATTORNEY IN MARYLAND
Child Support Attorney in Maryland
Navigating Maryland’s child support system can be challenging, but understanding how payments are calculated is essential to ensuring fair and accurate support for your children. At The Burton Firm, we’re here to help you through this process and protect your family’s best interests.
How Child Support is Calculated in Maryland
Since 1990, Maryland has used a specific child support calculator based on statewide guidelines. These guidelines estimate the percentage of income parents would spend on their children if they lived in the same household. The calculation process includes the following steps:
- Determine Monthly Income: The court starts with each parent’s actual monthly income. If a parent is unemployed but capable of working, the court can assign an income based on their earning potential.
- Adjust for Obligations: Each parent’s income may be reduced by obligations such as other child support payments, alimony, or health insurance costs for the child.
- Combine Incomes: The parents’ incomes are combined to calculate the total support required to meet the child’s basic needs.
- Assign Percentage Share: The non-custodial parent is typically required to pay their percentage share of the combined income to the custodial parent.
If the parents share custody, the child support obligation may be reduced to reflect the shared responsibilities.
Additional Expenses
The court may order the non-custodial parent to contribute to additional expenses, such as:
- Medical costs
- School expenses
- Daycare and transportation
- Health insurance
Challenges in Adjusting Child Support Payments
It is difficult to have child support set below the guideline amount. The non-custodial parent must present compelling evidence that following the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate. Generally, child support payments cover essential expenses, including:
- Food and shelter
- Clothing
- Education
- Medical needs
The court also considers special circumstances, such as disabled children, infants, or a parent’s lack of income or additional responsibilities.
How The Burton Firm Can Help
At The Burton Firm, our experienced child support attorney, Aubrey Burton Jr., can help you understand the guidelines and navigate the process of determining, receiving, or making child support payments. Whether you need help establishing payments, modifying an existing order, or enforcing an agreement, we’re here to support you.
Contact a Maryland Family Law Attorney Today
We understand the long-term impact divorce and child support decisions can have on your family’s life. With years of experience handling family law cases across Maryland, you can trust us to handle your case with care and professionalism.
Call us today at (301) 420-5540 to schedule a free consultation. Let us help you achieve the best outcome for your family.
CONTACT CHILD SUPPORT ATTORNEY IN MARYLAND FOR HELP
The Burton Firm understands how divorce can affect you and your family’s life indefinitely. Having years of experience handling all types of divorce cases throughout the state of Maryland, you can trust us to handle your case with care. Give us a call at (301) 420-5540 to speak to a family law attorney in Maryland.
THE OUTCOME OF YOUR CASE MATTERS TO US
Contact our office as soon as possible so our team of family law attorneys can properly evaluate your case and protect your rights.