Maryland has child support guidelines that parents and judges use to calculate the right amount of support in a particular case. The guidelines are based on the principle that every parent has a duty to support their child financially.
To calculate the amount of support under Maryland's current child support guidelines, you can use the official Maryland Child Support Calculator.
Maryland's guidelines take into account many factors, including:
Learn more about child support in Maryland, including what gets counted as income when calculating support.
(Md. Code, Fam. Law §§ 12-201, 12-204 (2024).)
Watch out for websites with so-called child support calculators for Maryland. Unfortunately, there's no guarantee that these calculators are accurate and up-to-date. Maryland updates its child support guidelines regularly, and you usually can't tell whether any of these websites have kept up with the latest changes.
It's best to stick with the official state calculator to get the most accurate amount of child support you may pay or receive. Be aware, however, that this will be an estimate. As explained below, the judge may order a different amount in your case. And, of course, the accuracy of any child support calculation will also depend on the accuracy of the information you provide.
Maryland judges must order the amount of support calculated by the formula unless ordering it would be unjust or inappropriate in a particular case.
When considering whether the guideline amount is the right amount of support, judges may consider:
If a judge deviates from the guideline amount the judge must explain how the change serves the best interest of the child.
(Md. Code, Fam. Law §§ 12-202 (2024).)
If you're filing for divorce in Maryland, you can request child support as part of that process. You can—and parents often do you—agree on an amount of child support as part of a divorce settlement. You'll have to submit your agreement for a judge to approve. If you agree to an amount that is different than the guideline calculation, be sure to explain your reasons for the deviation. If you can't agree on an amount of support, a judge will decide for you.
You can initiate a child support case on your own or apply for support through the Maryland Department of Human Services - Child Support Administration (CSA). If you aren't married to your child's other parent, CSA can help you establish paternity and then apply for support.
You can collect child support directly from the other parent or CSA can process payments for you. You may also ask a judge for an earnings withholding order (EWO). An EWO is a court order that requires the paying parent's employer to take the support payment directly from that parent's paycheck.
If you're still having trouble collecting support payments, CSA can help you enforce the child support orders. The agency has many enforcement tools to collect support, including:
(Md. Code, Fam. Law §§ 10-121, 10-122, 10-123 (2024).)
You can ask a judge to change a child support order by filing a petition to modify child support. You might ask a judge for a modification if circumstances have changed since your last order, such as:
You have a right to ask CSA to review your support order once every three years or if there has been a change in circumstances since your last order.
(Md. Code, Fam. Law §§ 12-202 (2024).)
Calculating child support is complicated. Most courts in Maryland have Family Court Help Centers where you can get free legal help with family law cases, including child support and child custody. The Maryland Courts also offer a Guide and File tool to help you complete court forms online.
If you and your co-parent can't agree on child custody, support, or both, you might need a lawyer's help. An experienced lawyer can answer your questions, help you negotiate an agreement that works for you and your child, and advocate for you in court if it comes to that.