Maryland Child Support Calculator – Accurate & Easy to Use

What Is the Maryland Child Support Calculator?

The Maryland Child Support Calculator is an online tool designed to estimate child support payments based on the Maryland Child Support Guidelines. These guidelines set the framework courts use to decide fair contributions from each parent.

While the calculator won’t replace a judge’s final decision, it helps you understand what to expect by looking at:

• Each parent’s income
• Deductions such as alimony or prior child support
• Number of children covered by the order
• Custody arrangements (overnights per year)
• Health insurance premiums for children
• Work-related child care costs

How Does the Maryland Child Support Calculator Work?

The calculator pulls from Maryland’s official support schedule. Here’s the simplified breakdown:

1. Enter Income
   • Parent A and Parent B list their gross monthly incomes.
   • Deductions for alimony or other child support are subtracted.
2. Combine Income
   • The calculator adds adjusted incomes to get a combined household figure.
3. Apply Support Guidelines
   • The calculator uses Maryland’s guideline table to find a basic child support obligation based on income and number of children.
4. Factor in Custody (Overnights)
   • Shared custody (each parent has the child 92+ nights per year) is treated differently than sole custody.
   • Shared custody often reduces payments because both parents cover more direct expenses.
5. Add On Extra Costs
   • Health insurance premiums and child care are added to the base obligation.
6. Determine Who Pays
   • Payments are assigned based on income share, custody time, and responsibility for extra costs.
   • The calculator then displays who pays whom and how much each month.

Example: How Payments Are Calculated

Imagine this scenario:

• Parent A earns $6,000/month, no deductions.
• Parent B earns $4,000/month, no deductions.
• They share one child.
• Parent B has 100 overnights per year.
• Health insurance costs $200/month.

Here’s how the calculator processes it:

1. Combined income = $10,000.
2. Guideline obligation for 1 child at $10,000 = approx. $1,675.
3. Add $200 for health insurance → $1,875 total.
4. Parent A covers 60% of income; Parent B covers 40%.
5. Because Parent A has more custody time, Parent B may end up paying Parent A around $750/month.

This is just an estimate—the actual calculator will give the precise figure.

Why Use the Maryland Child Support Calculator?

• Clarity: No more guessing what the court might decide.
• Preparation: Helps parents plan budgets before negotiations.
• Transparency: Both parents can see how income and custody directly affect payments.
• Fairness Check: Parents can compare their situation with state guidelines.

Important Note

The Maryland Child Support Calculator is an informational tool only. The court may order a different amount based on additional factors like:

• Extraordinary medical expenses
• Special educational needs
• Voluntary unemployment or underemployment
• Deviations for fairness

Always consult a Maryland family law attorney for personalized legal advice.