Child Support Attorney in Calvert County MD

Child support is a big part of many divorce settlements or rulings after a couple breaks up. If you have children and are ending your relationship, it is important to note that settling for the right child support agreement can be tricky. That is where the Law Office of Robert Castro, Child Support Attorney in Calvert County MD can help.

At the end of the day, most parents want nothing more than to love and support their children. Most parents are committed to helping raise their kids, even if a divorce has divided the family. But when it comes down to how much support each parent should provide, this debate can quickly lead to disputes. How much does a child really need to cover their basic necessities? Should you be responsible for handing over a large portion of your paycheck to your spouse? What if you are concerned about your ability to care for your children after a financially-draining divorce? How do you ensure your ex pays their fair share? All of these questions and many others can be answered by a qualified child support lawyer in Calvert County.

How Does Child Support Work in Maryland?

 In Maryland, only certain parents are eligible to receive child support. This is typically the spouse with primary physical custody – also known as the “primary residential parent” or the “primary custodial parent.” The logic is that since the children live with this parent most of the time, they bear most of the child-raising expenses and should be compensated accordingly by the non-custodial parent.

Maryland has a child support calculator that can help you get an idea of what your child support may look like after divorce. Generally speaking, parents are required to pay a set percentage of their income in child support depending on how much they earn. However, each situation is slightly different – and it always makes sense to speak with a child support lawyer in Maryland to establish a more accurate picture.

What Do Child Support Payments Cover?

The money from a child support payment can be used for anything that the custodial parent sees fit. That is unless the money was specifically sent for a purpose. An example of this might be a normal child support payment that you would get at the start of the month, versus a special child support payment meant to pay the tuition of a child going to a specific school.

What Parent Receives Child Support?

Generally, the parent that is the custodial parent or the one that has the child the majority of the time is going to receive the payment This means that if you have a child that lives with both parents equal amounts of time, it is likely that neither parent is going to get child support. Similarly, if you have a child that lives with one parent 80% of the time, the parent that only has them 20% of the time if likely paying the other parent to support the child or children.

How is Child Support Determined?

There is a formula that is used by the court to help determine what your child support payment is going to be. A Calvert County MD child support attorney can better help you to understand what this formula is and how it works. The court will take things like healthcare costs, how much both parents make, how much the child will be with one parent or other, and so on to determine how much payments should be.

Calculating Child Support Obligations for High-Net-Worth Parents

For high-net-worth parents, Maryland family courts do not follow the normal child support guidelines. Instead, they look at the specific needs of the children, the lifestyle to which they have grown accustomed, and any unique expenses they might require as a result of their higher standard of living. Maryland defines high-net-worth parents as having a combined income of more than $30,000 per month.

This unique approach may result in higher-than-normal child support obligations. For example, parents may be required to include the cost of prestigious private schools, expensive hobbies, high-quality medical care, and frequent vacations in their child support obligations.

Can I Modify My Child Support Agreement?

Yes, you can modify your child support arrangement – but only if there has been a substantial change in circumstance. This means that your financial situation has changed to the point where the previous arrangement is no longer fair. Here are some examples of what might constitute a “change in circumstance:”

• One parent suffers a career-ending disability that prevents them from earning as much money
• One parent is fired from their job and cannot find another job due to an economic downturn
• One parent has reached retirement age and cannot afford to continue payments at the same rate
• The child is experiencing medical issues that require greater child support obligations to cover the cost of treatment
• The child has become emancipated due to military service, marriage, or by filing for emancipation

You can contact a Calvert County MD child support lawyer if you want to appeal your child support payment and get it changed based on new circumstances.

What Happens if You Stop Paying Child Support in Maryland?

If you fail to pay child support for an extended period of time, you may experience a range of consequences. The court may start by garnishing your wages. They may then intercept and garnish your tax return. If you continue to refuse to pay, they can suspend your licenses – including your driver’s license and your professional licenses (such as a license to practice medicine or law). You may even face incarceration if you continue to refuse to pay. This is why it’s always a good idea to go through the proper legal process and modify your child support arrangement instead of simply ceasing payments out of the blue.

If you have a child support case, contact the Law Office of Robert Castro today!

Book Your Consultation with a Qualified Child Support Lawyer in Maryland

If child support becomes an issue, do not hesitate to book a consultation with the Law Office of Robert Castro. We have been serving concerned parents who need help with child support in Calvert County for years, and we know that child support can lead to serious disputes. Whether you are approaching divorce for the first time or you would like to modify an existing child support agreement, we can help. The sooner you get in touch, the better, so reach out today to get started with an effective action plan.

For more information or questions, contact the Law Office of Robert Castro to speak to an experienced lawyer at (301) 870-1200. The Law Office of Robert Castro is located at 2670 Crain Highway #411, Waldorf, MD 20601.