New Law Will Affect How Child Support in Maryland is Calculated
This fall, Maryland is changing its law regarding the calculation of child support. How much child support one party will be required to pay is by far one of the most frequently asked divorce questions, and the new law is set to make a major impact. The update will impact the qualifying threshold separating shared and sole custody. Let’s take a look to see specifically what it means and how it may impact you.
Here’s the breakdown:
- The new legislation reduces the overnight requirement to qualify for shared custody from 128 to 92 nights;
- This is an effective drop from 35% of the year to 25% of the year;
- Parents whose agreement has them with their children for two nights each week, for instance, now qualify for shared custody;
- Different calculations will be used for every percentage point between 25% and 30%;
- The new law goes into effect on October 1st;
- The new law is not retroactive but it can be applied if you file a motion to modify your child support agreement.
Of course, it’s still worth noting that the number of overnights is not the only factor which affects how Maryland child support is calculated. This sets the bar for sole or primary physical custody and shared physical custody, but from there, other factors are still involved. This includes, of course, the income of both parties, in addition to certain expenses already paid, such as health insurance costs for the child as well as work related day care expenses.
If you have any questions about the upcoming change to Maryland’s child support calculations or if you’re in need of family law attorney for any reason, don’t hesitate to call our office at 240.395.1418 for a free consultation. Our office is also conducting virtual consultations to help provide a convenient and safe solution for you during the current times.