Child Support . . . What You Need To Know . . . For Maryland and Washington, D.C. Residents

In the state of Maryland, both parents are legally obligated to support their children financially. If you are a non-custodial parent, this means that you are required to pay child support to the custodial parent. The amount of child support you will be responsible for paying is determined by a number of factors, including your income, the number of children you have, and the custody arrangement.

In Washington D.C., the process for determining child support is similar to that of Maryland. The court will consider the income of both parents, the number of children involved, and the custody arrangement when making a determination about how much child support should be paid.

How Child Support Is Calculated in Maryland

In Maryland, child support is calculated using a formula known as the Maryland Child Support Guidelines. This formula takes into account the income of both parents, as well as the number of children involved. The Guidelines also take into consideration the amount of time each parent spends with the child (known as the "custody arrangement"). Based on these factors, the Guidelines provide a range for how much child support should be paid.

How Child Support Is Calculated in Washington D.C.

In Washington D.C., child support is calculated using a similar formula to that used in Maryland. The court will consider the income of both parents, as well as the number of children involved and the custody arrangement when making a determination about how much child support should be paid. However, there are some slight differences in how these factors are weighted in D.C. than in Maryland. For example, in D.C., if one parent earns significantly more than the other, that parent may be ordered to pay a larger percentage of their income in child support. 

Child support is an important financial obligation for both parents in Maryland and Washington D.C.. The amount of child support you will be responsible for paying is determined by several factors, including your income, the number of children you have, and the custody arrangement. If you have any questions about your specific situation, it's important to speak with an experienced family law attorney who can help guide you through the process.