Maryland Child Support Calculator & Guide (2025)

Overview of Maryland Child Support

Maryland uses the Income Shares Model under Maryland Family Law Code §12-201 through §12-204. This model estimates the amount of support that would have been available to the child if the parents had remained together, then divides that obligation proportionally between both parents based on their respective incomes.

The Maryland Child Support Administration, part of the Department of Human Services, administers the guidelines. Maryland is notable for its treatment of voluntary impoverishment and its shared custody threshold of 35% overnights.

How Child Support Is Calculated in Maryland

The Maryland child support formula works as follows:

1. Determine each parent's actual monthly income from all sources including wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, and investment income
2. Combine both parents' incomes to get the total household income
3. Use the state schedule to find the basic support obligation based on combined income and number of children
4. Allocate each parent's share proportionally based on their percentage of the combined income
5. Add health insurance premiums and childcare costs to the base obligation
6. Apply adjustments for shared custody (35%+ overnights), voluntary impoverishment, and the self-support reserve

Maryland Support Schedule (Selected Income Levels)

Key Factors in Maryland Calculations

Actual Income Definition

Maryland considers all income from all sources, including:

• Wages, salaries, and commissions
• Bonuses and overtime pay
• Self-employment income
• Interest, dividends, and investment income
• Rental income
• Social Security benefits
• Pension and retirement income

Voluntary Impoverishment

Maryland distinguishes between actual income and potential income. If the court finds that a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed, it may impute income based on the parent's earning capacity, education, skills, and employment history. This prevents parents from avoiding child support by intentionally reducing their income.

Shared Custody Adjustments

Maryland provides shared custody adjustments when both parents have 35% or more overnights with the child. In these cases, the court considers the direct expenses each parent incurs during their parenting time and adjusts the support calculation accordingly.

Extraordinary Medical Expenses

Extraordinary medical expenses are shared proportionally between the parents based on their respective shares of the combined income. This includes expenses that exceed typical health insurance coverage.

Minimum and Maximum Amounts

Self-support reserve: $1,158 per month (2024). The paying parent must retain at least this amount for their own basic living expenses.

Minimum support: Maryland does not set a fixed statutory minimum, but the court will ensure the support amount is appropriate given the financial circumstances of both parents.

Income table: The Maryland support schedule covers combined incomes up to $10,000 per month. For incomes above this level, the court has discretion to determine an appropriate support amount.

Modification and Enforcement

Modification

Maryland allows modification of child support orders when:

• There has been a material change in circumstances
• A significant change in either parent's income
• Changes in custody or parenting time arrangements
• Changes in the child's needs (medical, educational, etc.)
• The child reaches the age of majority

Enforcement

The Maryland Child Support Administration enforces child support through:

• Income withholding from paychecks
• Tax refund interception (federal and state)
• Driver's license suspension
• Professional license suspension
• Credit bureau reporting
• Contempt of court proceedings
• Liens on property and financial accounts
• Passport denial for arrears exceeding $2,500

Get your Maryland estimate: Use our free child support calculator or the Maryland child support calculator to see what you might owe or receive under Maryland guidelines.