There are many misconceptions about child support obligations when a couple gets divorced in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. In this article, the Child Custody and Child Support lawyers here at the Law Office of Robert Castro refute some of the more common myths about child support obligations. If you have questions, call us at (301) 870-1200 or use our contact page.

Myth: Parents do not always have to pay child support

False. Under Maryland law, parents are obligated to support their children. As part of the divorce proceedings, the Maryland divorce court will order child support payments as required by Maryland law.

Myth: Parents can agree that no child support is needed

False. Child support is required by Maryland law, and parents cannot agree to waive or forgo child support payments.

Myth: Parents can agree on the amount of child support

False. The amount of child support payments is established by the Maryland divorce court based on the legal standards set forth in the Maryland Family Law Code. Essentially, the amount of child support is based on the joint income of the parents and divided between the parents based on their individual percentage of the joint income.

Myth: Only one parent pays child support

False. Both parents are equally obligated to support their children. As such, each parent is assigned an amount of child support based on their joint income and their individual percent of that joint income. The parent that has custody of the children “pays” their child support by providing shelter, food, clothing, transportation, etc. The other parent “pays” child support in the form of financial transfers.

Myth: I won’t pay child support if I already pay child support for my other children

False. A parent pays child support for all of his or her children.

Myth: I won’t pay child support if I have joint custody

False. Joint custody impacts the amount of child support. But there is always some amount of child support paid often for things like health insurance, tuition, daycare, etc.

Myth: If either parent remarries, child support ends

False. Regardless of remarriage, parents are obligated to support their children. A new spouse for either or both parents does not change that obligation. Child support will continue.

Myth: If the other parent gets married to a rich person, child support will be lowered

False. The amount of child support is based ONLY on the income of the parents, NOT the income of any new spouse.

Myth: Child support is only “writing a check”

False. Under Maryland law, parents are required to pay for various things — like health insurance, tuition, daycare, etc. — which are termed “additional child support.”

Myth: Child support stops when the child turns 18

False. This may be true, but often, child support ends when the child graduates from high school (which may or may not coincide with the child’s 18th birthday). Child support can also extend beyond the 18th birthday for other reasons.

Myth: Once a child turns 18, my ex-spouse cannot collect back-due child support

False. Back-due and unpaid child support can be collected at any time.

Myth: Child support can only be spent on the children

False. Maryland divorce courts will not scrutinize exactly how child support money is spent as long as the basic needs of the children are being met.

Myth: Child support awards are final and cannot be changed

False. If there is a significant change in financial circumstances, parents can go back to the Maryland divorce court and ask for a modification of the court’s child support Order.

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.