MARYLAND CHILD SUPPORT FAQ’S
MARYLAND CHILD SUPPORT ATTORNEY
1) Where should I file my complaint for child support?
In the State of Maryland, you should file your complaint for child support in the county that is the domicile of the child. A child’s domicile is the place where the child has his or her true, fixed and permanent home. In Maryland, the equity court has continuing jurisdiction over the support of the child.
It is not required for the parties to be married for the court to grant child support payments. Furthermore, support can be sought not only by the birth parent, if he or she has legal custody, but also by the guardian of the child.
2) What if no child support order has been issued?
If a child support order has not been issued, please file the following documents (It is recommended that an experienced family law attorney review all and any documents prior to their submission to the court for the purpose of protecting your legal rights).
- Petition/Motion for Contempt
- Blank Show Cause Order
- Blank Earnings Withholding Order
Please read the following for more information: MD Code Family Law § 10-115
3) What if no child support order has been issued and we cannot agree to set an amount for child support?
In this case, there are several options available to you. You can contact child support services, which are available to all Maryland parents. You may ask for a child support attorney (you must pay a small fee for this service) and request the assignment of an attorney. However, their role is to represent the agency to get a support obligation that is in the best interest of the child. Alternatively you may file a complaint yourself and turn the child support order over to a collection agency. A third option, is to obtain legal counsel and have an experienced family law attorney represent you and your child’s best interest.
4) What actions to take if there is a paternity dispute?
There are several actions you can take if for example, the father of the child denies paternity and vice versa. You may go to your local child support enforcement agency; they provide the necessary resources to establish paternity. Counsel may also represent you. An experienced Maryland child support attorney can protect your legal rights and assist you throughout the entire process.
5) How to change a current Child Support Order?
If the parties are in compliance with the current child support order and there has not been a real and substantial change in circumstances, there is not a high probability in changing your child support obligation. The Court of Maryland determines what constitutes a real or substantial change.
If you’re fighting support issues, call an experienced Maryland child support attorney at The Burton Firm.
CONTACT MARYLAND CHILD SUPPORT ATTORNEY FOR HELP
The Burton Law 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 with a Maryland child support attorney at The Burton Firm.
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.