Do I Need a Lawyer for Child Support in Maryland?

When it comes to child support, the state of Maryland has a formula contained in state guidelines to determine the level of payments. This formula takes into account the legal responsibilities of both parents, as well as any changes in custody agreements or circumstances. It is important to understand that if you are responsible for paying child support, you cannot deduct these payments from your income when filing taxes. Under Maryland law, a child has the right to receive financial support from both parents so that they can take advantage of the opportunities that life has to offer.

If you are a parent who is responsible for making child support payments, it is important to speak with an experienced Maryland family law attorney. They can help you complete a paternity test in order to receive court-ordered alimony and ensure that your child's needs are met. If you are receiving child support payments, you do not need to include them as income when filing taxes. Since 1990, Maryland has had child support guidelines which provide a formula for calculating child support based on a proportion of each parent's gross income.

This formula also takes into account any changes in custody agreements or circumstances. It is important to note that there is also a new formula for calculating child support obligations when a parent with shared physical custody keeps the child or children overnight for more than 25% but less than 30% of the year. Additionally, if a child has reached the age of majority but is unable to support themselves due to mental or physical illness, the parent has a duty to provide the indigent adult child with food, shelter, care, and clothing. Ensuring adequate child support can help ensure that each parent's household is financially stable and that their child's needs are met. Before accepting the terms related to child support payments, it is important to talk to an experienced Maryland family law attorney.

They can help you not only get your initial support order, but also ensure that you can take advantage of legal mechanisms to enforce a support order.