Maryland Child Support Calculator

Maryland uses the income shares model under Family Law § 12-204, combining both parents' adjusted actual incomes and applying a statutory schedule to determine the basic support obligation. The schedule covers combined monthly incomes up to $30,000 ($360,000 per year) for 1 to 6+ children. Each parent pays a proportional share based on their percentage of the combined income. Above $30,000 per month, the court sets support based on the child's actual needs.

Maryland defines actual income broadly under Family Law § 12-201 to include wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, Social Security benefits, workers' compensation, unemployment benefits, and alimony received. Means-tested benefits like SSI and SNAP are excluded. If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, the court may impute potential income based on earning capacity, except for parents with disabilities or those caring for a child under age 2.

Maryland applies a shared custody adjustment when each parent has the child for at least 92 overnights per year (25% or more of the time) under Family Law § 12-204. In shared custody, each parent's basic obligation is multiplied by the percentage of time the child spends with the other parent, and the parent owing the greater amount pays the difference. This formula reflects the additional household costs each parent incurs during their parenting time.

Maryland courts can modify child support when there is a material change in circumstances, such as a significant income change, job loss, or change in custody arrangements. Either parent may file a motion to modify with the circuit court. The court recalculates using the current guidelines schedule under § 12-204. As of October 2025, Maryland also introduced a multifamily adjustment allowing deductions for biological or adopted children living in the household.

Beyond the basic obligation from the guidelines schedule, Maryland Family Law § 12-204 requires adjustments for work-related childcare costs, health insurance premiums (medical, dental, and vision), and extraordinary uninsured medical expenses exceeding $250 per year. By agreement or court order, private school tuition for special educational needs and transportation costs between parents' homes may also be divided proportionally based on each parent's share of combined income.

Maryland's guidelines schedule under § 12-204(e) includes a built-in self-support reserve ensuring the paying parent retains enough income for basic living expenses. The schedule applies to combined adjusted monthly incomes up to $30,000 ($360,000 annually) — this threshold doubled from $15,000 per month after 2022 legislative changes. For incomes above $30,000 per month, the court has discretion to set support based on the child's actual needs rather than the formula.

Maryland child support generally continues until the child turns 18. If the child is still enrolled in high school at age 18, support extends until graduation or age 19, whichever comes first. Support may also end earlier through emancipation — by marriage, military service, or court order. For children with physical or mental disabilities who cannot become self-supporting, courts may order support to continue indefinitely.

Maryland enforces child support through wage garnishment of up to 65% of the payor's paycheck, federal and state tax refund interception (for arrears of $500+ and $150+ respectively), driver's license and professional license suspensions, bank account seizures, property liens, and passport denial for arrears exceeding $2,500. Courts may hold non-paying parents in civil contempt, which can include incarceration until a purge amount is paid. Criminal non-support charges may also be filed.