5 Facts About Child Support in a Maryland Divorce 

 Posted on September 10, 2025 in Child Support

Child support is one of the most difficult issues in many divorces. Most parents want to make sure their children have what they need, but deciding what is fair or affordable is not easy. If you are getting a divorce in Maryland and you have young kids, understanding how child support works can help you prepare for what comes next.

At the Law Office of Kari H. Fawcett, our Bowie family law attorneys bring more than 50 years of combined experience to every case. We are fighters who do not back down from a challenge, and we make sure our clients know their rights when child support is at stake. Here are five fast facts about child support in Maryland.

Maryland Has Child Support Guidelines

Maryland follows a formula known as the Child Support Guidelines, found in Maryland Code, Family Law §12-201 through §12-204. This formula considers both parents’ incomes, the number of children parents have, health insurance costs, childcare expenses, and the cost of medical care beyond health insurance. The guidelines are supposed to make sure that children get a level of financial support that considers both parents’ finances.

Parenting Time Can Change Child Support Calculation 

The amount of time each parent spends with the child affects how much support is owed. If a parent has the child overnight for more than 128 nights per year, Maryland law applies the "shared physical custody" calculation. This generally reduces the amount of support owed by the paying parent, since both parents are putting similar time and resources into their children.

Child Support Can Cover More Than Basic Needs

Many people assume child support is just for food, clothing, and housing. In Maryland, courts can also order child support to pay for medical insurance, extra medical expenses, school costs, childcare, and even extracurricular activities. Judges have the authority to decide what is appropriate based on the child’s needs and the family’s finances.

Child Support Orders Can Be Changed

Life changes all the time, especially with young children, so Maryland law allows child support orders to be changed if there has been a "material change in circumstances." Under Maryland Code, Family Law §12-104, either parent can ask for a change if, for example:

• One parent loses a job

• One parent gets a substantial raise

• The child develops new medical or educational needs

Courts can increase, decrease, or end child support depending on the situation.

Not Paying Child Support Has Serious Consequences

Maryland courts take child support enforcement seriously. Parents who do not make child support payments can be punished with wage or tax refund garnishment, driver’s license suspension, and even jail time in the most serious cases. 

The law makes it clear that parents cannot simply stop paying because they do not agree with the other parent. The correct approach is to seek a modification through the court if payments are no longer manageable.

Call an Annapolis, MD Child Support Attorney

If you are getting a divorce or need to deal with a child support issue, you do not have to face it alone. Contact the Law Office of Kari H. Fawcett to speak with an aggressive Bowie, MD family lawyer who can stand up for you. Call 301-262-5500 today to schedule a consultation.