For a couple making a combined — and adjusted — $120,000 a year, the total financial payments required are $2,257 a month. That amount is proportioned between the two parents based on the percentage of their combined adjusted income. Thus, if one parent earns 75% of the joint adjusted income, then that parent will be assigned 75% of the child support financial obligations (or about $1,700 a month for the higher-earning parent). In general, the custodial parent “pays” their portion by providing food, clothing, shelter, and other day-to-day necessities for the child or children; the other parent transfers money payments.

In addition, based on the same proportions, other types of child support will also be required, such as payments for daycare, schooling, health insurance, etc. If you have questions about Maryland child support obligations, call Charles County Child Support Lawyers at the Law Office of Robert Castro. Call us at (301) 870-1200 or use our contact page. We are skilled and experienced Maryland family law and divorce lawyers with offices in Waldorf, Maryland. Below are additional details on how much child support parents should expect to pay.

In Maryland, child support obligations are based on the parents’ joint income. As noted, there are two forms of child support: “basic” child support (financial payments) and other forms of child support (like paying for daycare, schooling, health insurance, etc.). All of this combined child support is the obligation of both parents and, as noted, each parent pays in proportion to the share of their total income. Note that child support obligations are based on ADJUSTED income. That is, under the Maryland Family Law statutes, there are many adjustments made to each parent’s income before proportioning child support. For example, if one parent is awarded alimony, that amount is added to the receiving spouse’s income and deducted from the income of the paying spouse.

The basic child support obligation is based on the Maryland child support “Schedules” (often called the “Guidelines” or the “Grid”). These are provided by Statute. See Md. Fam. Law Code, § 12-204(e). The Schedules cross reference monthly adjusted income with the number of children. Thus, for the example used above, the adjusted income of $10,000 per month was located along the left edge, two children were assumed, and then, the relevant monthly child support obligation was found in the corresponding box on the grid: $2,257. Nearly all forms of income will be counted, including wages, salary, bonuses, self-employment income, benefits, royalties, etc. Deductions are also taken, including those for other child support or spousal support payments (for, say, a previous marriage), federal, state, and local income tax deductions, union dues, etc. Then adjustments are made based on the divorce proceedings (such as adjustments for alimony payments that are to be ordered).

As noted, the Maryland divorce court will also order other forms of child support for expenses like daycare, schooling, health insurance for the children, medical payments for children with extraordinary medical requirements, etc.

Finally, if the Maryland divorce court is awarding joint custody, another set of adjustments will be made based on how many days/nights each parent will have the child or children. This does not impact the total amount of child support but, rather, will impact the amount that one parent might be required to remit to the other.

Understanding How Maryland Calculates and Adjusts Child Support

Maryland’s child support process ensures that parents contribute fairly to their child’s well-being. While the guidelines provide a clear starting point, many families still find the calculation process confusing, especially when other financial obligations or custody arrangements are involved.

Adjusted Gross Income: The Core of Support Calculations

Child support in Maryland is calculated using each parent’s adjusted actual income, not gross earnings. This means the court first determines monthly income, then subtracts allowable deductions, such as:

• Alimony paid to a former spouse
  
• Pre-existing child support obligations for children from another relationship
  
• Health insurance premiums are paid for the child
  
• Work-related childcare expenses
  

Once these adjustments are made, the court combines parents’ incomes and uses the Maryland Child Support Guidelines to determine the total support amount. That figure is then split proportionally based on each parent’s share of the combined income.

When Shared Custody Changes the Formula

Custody arrangements can significantly affect how support is calculated. Maryland applies a shared physical custody formula if the child spends at least 128 overnights per year with each parent. This version of the guidelines considers the time each parent spends caring for the child and may reduce the paying parent’s obligation. However, the total support amount remains the same.

Shared custody does not always substantially reduce payments. Courts are cautious in cases where parents try to alter schedules simply to reduce obligations. Judges may examine the actual level of caregiving, not just the number of overnights on paper.

Imputed Income and Voluntary Underemployment

If a parent is unemployed or earning less than they reasonably could, the court can impute income based on education, job history, and available employment opportunities. This prevents a parent from deliberately reducing their income to lower their child support responsibility.

The goal is to ensure children receive the financial support they deserve, regardless of a parent’s attempt to manipulate income.

Add-On Expenses and Extraordinary Costs

In addition to basic child support, Maryland courts often order parents to share extraordinary medical expenses, school tuition, transportation, or special needs-related expenses. These are typically split according to each parent’s income ratio unless there is a compelling reason to assign a different proportion.

For example, if one parent enrolls the child in private school, the court will examine whether that cost is necessary and reasonable. If it is, both parents may be expected to contribute.

Deviation from the Guidelines

While the Maryland Child Support Guidelines are presumed to be correct, courts may deviate when applying them would be unjust or inappropriate. Common reasons for deviation include:

• A child’s special medical or educational needs
  
• A parent’s substantial travel costs to exercise visitation
  
• High-income cases where guideline amounts exceed reasonable needs
  

When deviating from the standard calculation, the court must explain its reasoning in writing.

Contact Waldorf, Maryland Family Law and Child Custody Lawyer Robert Castro Today

This article has been provided by the Law Office of Robert Castro. For more information or questions, contact our office to speak to an experienced Maryland family law and divorce lawyer at (301) 870-1200. We are Waldorf, MD, Family Law lawyers. Our address is 2670 Crain Highway, Waldorf, MD, 20601.