How Maryland Calculates Child Support

Maryland uses the Income Shares model to determine child support obligations. This page explains the guidelines, formula, and key factors.

Model Type

Income Shares

Maryland looks up a basic support obligation from the statutory schedule by combined gross income and number of children, then prorates it by each parent's share of income. Shared-custody cases (both parents with 92+ overnights per year) use a different worksheet with an added cost adjustment.

Sources & Verification

Core formula verified; some gaps disclosed below

Guideline effective 2022-07-01 · last checked against the primary source 2026-08-12

Primary sources

Md. Code, Family Law § 12-204 (schedule of basic child support obligations)Worksheet B — Child Support Obligation: Shared Physical Custody (CC-DR-035)

What this calculator doesn't yet handle

Pre-existing child support orders (Worksheet line 1b) and alimony actually awarded in the current case (line 1d) are not collected as separate inputs.
Cash medical support (line 11d) and 'additional expenses' under § 12-204(i) are not itemized.