Frederick Child Support Lawyer

Child support is a court-ordered amount paid monthly to a parent with physical custody of the child. The state courts follow guidelines to calculate child support. This formula takes into account the number of overnights that each parent has with a child, in addition to the parents’ incomes and other factors.

Whether you are seeking child support or will be required to pay child support, it is crucial to seek the help of an experienced Frederick child support lawyer. Our family attorneys understand the Child Support Guidelines and can help make sure the Court sets the correct amount of support, including deviations from the guidelines when appropriate. Our knowledgeable lawyers can review your situation and explain your legal options.

How Is Child Support Calculated?

Parents have a legal duty to support their children, whether they remain in a relationship or not. Society prioritizes children being cared for by their biological parents whenever possible, and child support helps ensure this continues after parents separate. Child support is typically money paid by the noncustodial parent to the custodial parent. To calculate child support, the Court follows the Maryland Child Support Guidelines. This formula relies on an income-sharing model and considers such factors as:

• Income of both parents
• Custody arrangements, including overnights with each parent
• Number of children shared by the parents
• Children’s health insurance expenses
• Child support obligations for other children of the payor
• Alimony paid or received
• Extraordinary medical costs for the children
• Day care expenses
• Other special needs of the children

Factors vary from case to case, and our skilled Frederick attorneys can review your circumstances to help ensure that the courts calculate child support correctly.

The State’s Guidelines take into account the number of overnights spent with each parent as part of the calculation. Maryland Rule 9-206 sets out the guidelines and includes a worksheet used by the court for calculating child support. The court typically follows the child support guidelines unless a parent can show that strictly applying these guidelines would be unjust.

When calculating a parent’s income, the court looks to actual income and imputed income. Imputed income is often applied when a parent is unemployed or underemployed, but has the capacity to earn a higher income. Imputed income relies on education, training, job history, and other work-related qualities. Using imputed income could prevent problems associated with voluntary impoverishment, which occurs when a parent intentionally avoids work to reduce child support obligations.

When Can Child Support Change?

The court could modify child support when there is a material change in circumstances that affects a parent’s ability to meet the current payment amount, a change in a parent’s income, or if the needs of the children require a modification. Examples of significant changes could include:

• Loss of a job
• Serious illness or injury
• Disability
• Age-related career changes
• Unjust or harsh results if guideline payments are applied
• Changes in the cost of the children’s work-related child care or medical expenses

If you are paying child support and need a modification or receiving child support and disputing the other parent’s request for a reduction or need an increase, our attorneys in Frederick could help. We can review your case and take action on your behalf.

Contact a Frederick Attorney To Discuss Your Child Support Options

Child support is a critical tool to ensure families can take care of their children financially. A knowledgeable Frederick child support lawyer can review your situation, apply the guidelines, and make a strong case to the Court. Get in touch with an experienced attorney at Rolle & DeLorenzo today to schedule a consultation.