Your Family And Your Future Are At Stake
When you are getting divorced, you want to make sure that your children are protected. At the Law Office of Dawn M. Green, we work exclusively with families and their legal problems, so we understand their concerns when establishing child support.
Maryland has established child support guidelines that all Maryland courts must use. If the parties’ combined income exceeds a statutory amount, the court, with articulated justification, can deviate from the guidelines. Obtaining and providing an accurate figure for monthly income, health insurance, work-related day care expenses, etc., are paramount to an accurate child support calculation.
Whether you need an attorney to arrange a comprehensive child support plan or to handle your spousal support case, we can help. A knowledgeable lawyer can help make sure you are entering a fair and equitable child support arrangement.
To schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys, please call our office in Annapolis at +1-443-440-5871.
How The Court Determines Child Support
The establishment of a monthly child support obligation is derived from a formula that is based upon Maryland’s child support guidelines. The guidelines set forth a mathematical formula by which to calculate child support based on a proportion of each parent’s income.
The child support guidelines consider many factors:
- Each parent’s gross income
- The cost of medical insurance for the minor child
- Any work-related day care expense
- Any other child support the noncustodial parent has been ordered to pay for other children not related to the case
If a child spends 128 or more overnights with each parent, a shared custody calculation is used. If a child spends less than 128 overnight with a parent, a sole custody calculation is used. The difference between the two obligations can be substantial.
We can help you understand and establish an accurate gross monthly income and child-related financial obligations that are applicable under the Maryland child support guidelines, and make sure your rights and the rights of your children are protected.
Child Support Modifications And Their Implications
If there has been a material change in circumstance to the financial situation, of you or your former spouse or the child’s other parent, you have the right to petition the court for a child support modification. A material change in circumstances includes but is not limited to, an increase or reduction in income, a change in the cost of the child’s health insurance, and/or a change in the child’s day care or work-related day care expenses.
If you are interested in pursuing a child support modification, we can help. Protecting your child’s best interests is our priority. We can help you establish a fair and equitable child support obligation.
Questions About Child Support? Please Contact Us.
To schedule a time to meet with one of our child support attorneys, please complete this online contact form, or call our Annapolis office at +1-443-440-5871.