FamilyLawFinder

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
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.

Income Basis & Definitions

Income Basis:

gross income (both parents)

Number Of Children On Order

Selects the base-support amount from the schedule/table.

Source: §12-204 guideline schedule
Parent A Income

Parent A gross income used by guideline.

Source: Income definition / worksheet income line(s)
Parent B Income

Parent B gross income used by guideline.

Source: Income definition / worksheet income line(s)

Parenting Time Handling

Custody Type Or Worksheet Selection

Calculator selects custody model/worksheet (sole/shared/split/joint) and applies corresponding formula.

Source: Custody/worksheet applicability and parenting-time adjustment
Parenting Time Input

Shared physical custody uses Worksheet B and requires overnights/time-share inputs.

Source: Worksheet B overnights/time-share inputs

Deductions & Adjustments

Other Child Support Or Dependents Adjustment

Adjustments/credits for other dependents or court-ordered support for other children (state-specific).

Source: Other children / preexisting support adjustment
Spousal Support Adjustment

If the guideline adjusts for spousal support (paid/received), capture amount.

Source: Spousal support (alimony/maintenance) adjustment

Add-Ons & Allocation

Work Related Childcare Costs

Work-related childcare costs added and allocated between parents.

Source: Childcare add-on
Child Health Insurance And Uninsured Medical

Child’s health insurance premium share and uninsured/unreimbursed medical allocation.

Source: Medical support (insurance + uninsured medical)

Caps, Minimums & Deviations

Income Cap And Above Cap Handling

If guideline table caps at an income level, above-cap support is typically discretionary with findings.

Source: Maximum schedule income / above-cap handling
Deviation Factors And Findings

Deviation allowed for enumerated factors; requires findings (court-determined).

Source: Deviation factors / findings

Try the Calculator

Use our Maryland child support calculator to estimate your obligation.