Divorce Maryland Child Support

Divorce Papers > Divorce Child Support > Maryland

In this state, if a court has personal jurisdiction over the parent, only then the court has authority to enforce child support over the parent. The term 'personal jurisdiction' implies that the parent, who is expected to disburse support, needs to have a connection with this state.

Let us assume that a court has entered a valid child support order. Now, the state (wherein the court exists) is authorized to award and alter support, though there may not be any contact with the supporting parent or children at a latter stage.

Overview of guidelines in Divorce Maryland Child Support

The process of determination of the guideline child support amount is as mentioned below.

Finding out the gross monthly income of the father as well as mother

  • The following deductions are made from the two gross monthly incomes stated above
    • Preexisting child support and alimony that is being paid to a third party
    • Medical insurance that is paid to the child
  • The alimony received in the current case is added to the two gross monthly incomes
  • The two figures obtained after the above subtractions and deductions are called 'adjusted income'

Both the father's adjusted income and mother's adjusted income are divided by the combined total adjusted income. In this way, percentage of income of each parent is determined

The table that has been developed by the state is used to procure the basic child support amount

The following additions are made to the amount obtained from the table (if applicable)

  • Educational expenditure
  • Extraordinary medical expenditure
  • Work related child care

The figure obtained after the above additions is termed as 'total support obligation'

The product of the total support obligation and the percentage of each parent's share will give the 'precise amount of child support'

Pertinent points regarding Divorce Maryland Child Support

  • A child, who is the result of a marriage and another child, who is born out of wedlock, are eligible to the same level of support
  • If the monthly combined 'adjusted income' is more than 10,000 USD, the child support guidelines are not applicable. In such a case, the factors taken into account for deciding the support amount are as follows
    • Expenditure for education of the child
    • Age and physical condition of the parents
    • The financial conditions of the parents
  • Let us consider a child who spends more than 35 percent of overnights (i.e. 128 overnights per year) with each parent. For such a child, child support is calculated using special guidelines
  • If a parent works overtime and earns money, this money is included in calculating child support payments. However, this additional income should not be speculative or uncertain
  • The following amounts are considered as 'actual income'
    • Maintenance or alimony received
    • Disability insurance benefits
    • Unemployment insurance benefits
    • Workers compensation benefits
    • Social Security benefits
    • Annuity income
    • Trust income
    • Interest income
    • Pension income
    • Dividend income
    • Bonuses
    • Commissions
    • Wages
    • Salaries
    • Some other categories
    • Depending on the circumstances of each case, the court regards the following as 'actual income'
      • Prizes
      • Gifts
      • Capital gains
      • Severance pay

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