Child Support in Maryland: Guidelines and Calculations

Maryland calculates child support using the income shares model, which is designed to ensure that children receive the same proportion of parental income they would have received if both parents lived together. The governing statutes — Md. Code, Family Law Sections 12-201 through 12-204 — provide a detailed framework that includes a guideline schedule, adjustments for shared custody, add-on expenses for healthcare and childcare, and factors that allow the court to deviate from the calculated amount.

Understanding how Maryland’s child support guidelines work is essential for any parent going through a divorce, separation, or paternity action. This article explains each component of the calculation, the recent changes to shared custody adjustments, the new multifamily adjustment effective October 2025, and the circumstances under which a court may adjust the guideline amount.

The Income Shares Model

Maryland’s income shares model works by combining both parents’ incomes to determine the total amount that would have been spent on the child if the family were intact. The child support guideline schedule under Section 12-204(e) specifies a basic child support obligation based on the parents’ combined adjusted actual income and the number of children.

The basic steps are:

1. Determine each parent’s actual monthly income
2. Calculate each parent’s adjusted actual income (after allowable deductions)
3. Combine both parents’ adjusted actual incomes
4. Look up the basic child support obligation on the guideline schedule based on combined income and number of children
5. Divide the basic obligation between the parents in proportion to their respective shares of combined income
6. Add work-related childcare costs, health insurance premiums, and extraordinary medical expenses, apportioned in the same proportions

The parent who has less overnight time with the child typically pays child support to the other parent. Maryland uses two official worksheets to perform the calculation: Worksheet A (form CC-DR-034) for primary physical custody cases, and Worksheet B (form CC-DR-035) for shared physical custody cases.

For a general overview of income shares models across states, see our guide on how child support is calculated.

Income Definition

The foundation of the child support calculation is each parent’s actual income. Under Section 12-201, actual income is defined broadly and includes:

• Salary, wages, bonuses, commissions, and overtime pay
• Self-employment income (gross receipts minus ordinary and necessary business expenses)
• Pension, retirement, and Social Security benefits
• Workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance benefits
• Disability benefits
• Alimony or maintenance received from any source
• Interest, dividends, and rental income
• Trust income
• Any other income from any source

Adjusted actual income is calculated by subtracting certain allowable deductions from actual income:

• Preexisting child support obligations actually being paid under a court order
• Alimony actually being paid to the other parent or a former spouse
• The multifamily adjustment (for children in the parent’s household not covered by a support order, effective October 2025)

The resulting adjusted actual income for each parent is combined, and the guideline schedule determines the basic support obligation.

The Guideline Schedule

Section 12-204(e) contains a schedule that specifies the basic child support obligation based on the parents’ combined adjusted actual monthly income and the number of children (one through six). The schedule covers combined incomes from low amounts up to $30,000 per month.

Key rules about the schedule:

• If the combined income falls between two amounts on the schedule, the court uses the basic obligation for the next higher income level
• If the combined income exceeds $30,000 per month, the court is not required to use the guideline formula and may set support based on the needs of the children and the standard of living the child would have enjoyed if the family remained intact
• If the combined income is below the lowest amount on the schedule, the court uses discretion but must consider subsistence needs of the obligor

For example, if two parents have a combined adjusted actual monthly income of $10,000 and two children, the guideline schedule specifies the basic child support obligation for that income level. If Parent A earns 65% of the combined income and Parent B earns 35%, Parent A is responsible for 65% of the basic obligation and Parent B is responsible for 35%.

Shared Custody Adjustments

Maryland’s child support guidelines include specific provisions for shared physical custody. The law has undergone significant changes in how it handles custody time-sharing, most notably through Senate Bill 579, which took effect October 1, 2020.

Before October 2020: The 35% Cliff

Under the old law, shared custody adjustments applied only when each parent had physical custody for 35% or more of overnights (at least 128 overnights per year). This created a “cliff effect” — child support dropped substantially between 127 and 128 overnights, which incentivized litigation over a single overnight.

Current Law: Graduated Adjustments Starting at 25%

The current guidelines eliminate the cliff effect by introducing graduated adjustments that begin when the non-custodial parent has the child for 25% or more of overnights (at least 92 overnights per year):

92 to 127 overnights (25% to less than 35%): The adjustment phases in gradually using multipliers specified in the statute. The basic child support obligation is multiplied by an adjustment factor that increases as the number of overnights increases, smoothing the transition between sole custody and shared custody calculations.

128 or more overnights (35% or more): The full shared custody formula under Section 12-204(d) applies:

1. The basic child support obligation is multiplied by 1.5 to account for the increased total cost of maintaining two households
2. The adjusted obligation is divided between the parents in proportion to their respective adjusted actual incomes
3. Each parent’s share is multiplied by the percentage of time the child spends with the other parent
4. The parent with the higher resulting obligation pays the difference to the other parent

This formula produces a sliding scale: the more overnights the paying parent exercises, the lower the net support obligation. At 50/50 custody (182.5 overnights each), the higher-earning parent still pays support, but the amount is significantly reduced compared to a primary custody arrangement.

The Multifamily Adjustment (Effective October 2025)

Effective October 1, 2025, Maryland introduced a multifamily adjustment through House Bill 275. This adjustment addresses a longstanding gap in child support calculations: parents who support children from multiple families.

How It Works

The multifamily adjustment allows a deduction from a parent’s adjusted actual income for children who live in the parent’s household but are not the subject of a child support order. To qualify:

• The child must spend more than 92 overnights per year in the parent’s household
• The child must not be covered by an existing child support order between the same parties

The deduction equals 75% of what the basic support obligation would be for that child based on the parent’s income alone.

Practical Impact

For a parent who earns $8,000 per month and has a child from a new relationship living in their home full-time, the guideline schedule would identify the basic obligation for one child at that income level. The multifamily adjustment deducts 75% of that amount from the parent’s income before calculating child support for the children in the pending case.

This adjustment applies only to new or modified support orders entered on or after October 1, 2025. Existing orders are not automatically changed — a parent must file a motion to modify to take advantage of the new provision.

Healthcare and Childcare Add-Ons

In addition to the basic child support obligation, Maryland law requires certain expenses to be added to the calculation and shared between the parents proportionally:

Health insurance premiums. The cost of adding the child to a parent’s health insurance plan is added to the basic obligation and divided based on each parent’s share of combined income. The court may also order how health insurance is to be obtained and maintained.

Extraordinary medical expenses. Maryland defines extraordinary medical expenses as uninsured medical costs exceeding $250 in any calendar year. This includes:

• Orthodontia and dental treatment
• Vision care
• Asthma treatment
• Physical therapy
• Treatment for chronic health conditions
• Professional counseling or psychiatric therapy for diagnosed mental disorders

These expenses are shared proportionally between parents.

Work-related childcare costs. Daycare, after-school care, and other childcare expenses incurred because a parent is working or seeking employment are added to the calculation and divided proportionally. These costs must be reasonable and necessary.

These add-ons can significantly increase the total child support obligation, particularly for families with young children requiring full-time childcare or children with ongoing medical needs.

Deviation From the Guidelines

The guideline amount is presumed to be correct, but a court may deviate from it if the guideline amount would be unjust or inappropriate in a particular case. To deviate, the court must make a written finding explaining why the guidelines amount does not serve the best interest of the child.

Factors that may justify deviation include:

• Extraordinary medical expenses beyond those already included as add-ons
• The child’s independent income from employment, trusts, or other sources
• Educational expenses, including private school tuition if both parents agreed to private education
• Travel costs for visitation when parents live far apart
• The needs of older children, who generally have higher expenses
• Seasonal variations in a parent’s income
• The presence of other dependents not already accounted for
• Any other factor the court considers relevant to achieving an equitable result

Courts are reluctant to deviate below the guidelines. The parent seeking a downward deviation bears the burden of proving both that the guideline amount is unjust and that a lower amount serves the child’s best interest. An upward deviation may be sought when the child has demonstrably higher needs than the guidelines presume.

Voluntary Impoverishment and Imputed Income

Maryland courts do not allow parents to reduce their child support obligation by voluntarily reducing their income. Under Section 12-201, a parent is considered voluntarily impoverished when they have made a “free and conscious choice, not compelled by factors beyond the parent’s control, to render the parent without adequate resources.”

This statutory definition, codified in 2022, reflects the standard established in Goldberger v. Goldberger. When a court finds that a parent is voluntarily impoverished, it may calculate child support based on potential income rather than actual income.

How Courts Determine Potential Income

If the court finds voluntary impoverishment, it considers:

• The parent’s prior employment history
• Education, training, and qualifications
• The prevailing earnings level in the community for comparable work
• The availability of jobs in the area
• The parent’s age, health, and physical capacity
• Any barriers to employment

Limitations

The court may not find voluntary impoverishment or impute potential income to a parent who:

• Is unable to work because of a physical or mental disability
• Is caring for a child under the age of 2 for whom both parents are responsible
• Is incarcerated

These protections prevent imputation in situations where a parent’s reduced income is genuinely beyond their control.

Modification of Child Support

Either parent may seek a modification of an existing child support order. Maryland provides two paths to modification:

Material change of circumstances. If a parent’s income has changed significantly, custody arrangements have shifted, or the child’s needs have materially changed, the parent can file a motion to modify. Examples include:

• Involuntary job loss or significant pay reduction
• A substantial increase in either parent’s income
• Changes in the custody or visitation schedule
• Significant changes in healthcare or childcare costs
• Changes in the child’s financial needs

Three-year review. Maryland law allows either parent to request a review of the child support order if three years have passed since the order was entered or last reviewed for modification, regardless of whether circumstances have changed.

Modifications take effect from the date the motion is filed, not retroactively. A parent who anticipates a change in income should file promptly rather than waiting and accumulating arrears.

Termination of Child Support

Child support in Maryland generally terminates when the child reaches age 18. There are two exceptions:

• Age 19: If the child is still enrolled in secondary school (high school) at age 18, support continues until either graduation or the child’s 19th birthday, whichever comes first
• Disability: If the child has a physical or mental disability that prevents self-support, the court may order support to continue past age 18

Support also terminates upon the child’s marriage, emancipation, or entry into military service.

Maryland does not require parents to pay child support through college. There is no statutory authority for courts to order post-secondary education support unless the parents have agreed to it in a settlement agreement.

When one child in a multi-child order reaches the termination age, the support amount should be recalculated based on the remaining children. This does not happen automatically — a parent must file a motion to modify.

Enforcement of Child Support Orders

Maryland’s Child Support Enforcement Administration (CSEA), part of the Department of Human Services, has broad authority to enforce child support orders. Enforcement tools include:

• Income withholding from wages, unemployment benefits, and other income sources
• Interception of tax refunds (state and federal)
• Suspension of driver’s licenses and professional or occupational licenses
• Liens on real and personal property
• Reporting to credit bureaus, which can damage the obligor’s credit score
• Passport denial for arrears exceeding $2,500
• Contempt of court proceedings, which can result in fines or incarceration

Arrearages accrue interest and cannot be retroactively forgiven or reduced. Even after a child ages out of support, the CSEA continues enforcement until all arrears are paid in full.

What to Do Next

If you are involved in a child support matter in Maryland, take these steps:

1. Gather income documentation. Collect recent pay stubs, tax returns (including all schedules), W-2s, 1099s, bank statements, and records of all income sources. Accurate income information is the foundation of the child support calculation.
2. Track overnights carefully. The number of overnights each parent exercises directly affects the child support amount, especially around the 92-overnight and 128-overnight thresholds. Keep a detailed log or use a parenting app.
3. Document add-on expenses. Maintain records of health insurance premiums, childcare costs, and extraordinary medical expenses (uninsured costs exceeding $250 per year). These are allocated between parents as part of the support calculation.
4. Understand the multifamily adjustment. If you support children from another relationship in your household, the multifamily adjustment effective October 2025 may reduce your adjusted actual income for child support purposes. Consult an attorney about whether you qualify.
5. Run the numbers using the correct worksheet. Determine whether your custody arrangement requires Worksheet A (primary custody, fewer than 92 overnights for the non-custodial parent) or Worksheet B (shared custody, 92 or more overnights). Both forms are available on the Maryland Courts website.
6. Consult a Maryland family law attorney. Child support calculations involve multiple variables, and the stakes are significant for both parents and the child. Schedule a free consultation to ensure your child support is calculated correctly under Maryland law.

For more on child support enforcement and modification, see our guides on child support enforcement and how to modify child support.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Maryland calculate child support?

Maryland uses the income shares model under Md. Code, Family Law Section 12-204. Both parents’ adjusted actual incomes are combined, and the guideline schedule specifies a basic child support obligation based on the combined income and number of children. Each parent’s share is proportional to their percentage of combined income. Add-ons for health insurance, extraordinary medical expenses, and work-related childcare are divided in the same proportions.

What triggers the shared custody adjustment in Maryland?

Since October 2020, adjustments begin when the non-custodial parent has the child for at least 92 overnights per year (25% of overnights). From 92 to 127 overnights, graduated multipliers phase in the adjustment. At 128 or more overnights (35%), the full shared custody formula applies, which multiplies the basic obligation by 1.5 and adjusts each parent’s share based on the percentage of time the child spends with each parent.

What is the multifamily adjustment in Maryland?

Effective October 1, 2025, the multifamily adjustment (HB 275) allows a deduction from a parent’s adjusted actual income for children living in the parent’s household who are not subject to a child support order. The child must spend more than 92 overnights per year in the household, and the deduction equals 75% of what the basic support obligation would be for that child. This applies only to new or modified orders entered on or after October 1, 2025.

When does child support end in Maryland?

Child support ends when the child turns 18. If the child is still enrolled in high school at 18, support continues until graduation or the child’s 19th birthday, whichever comes first. Support may continue past 18 if the child has a disability preventing self-support. Maryland does not require parents to pay child support through college unless they agreed to it in a settlement.

Can the court assign me a higher income than I actually earn?

Yes. If you are voluntarily impoverished — meaning you made a free and conscious choice to reduce your income — the court may calculate support based on your potential income rather than your actual earnings. The court considers your work history, education, qualifications, and the local job market. However, income cannot be imputed to a parent who is disabled, caring for a child under age 2, or incarcerated.

How do I modify child support in Maryland?

File a motion to modify with the court that issued the original order. You must show either a material change of circumstances (such as job loss, income increase, or custody change) or that three years have passed since the order was entered or last reviewed. The modification takes effect from the filing date, not retroactively. Do not reduce payments on your own — the original order remains binding until the court issues a new one.

How This Guide Was Researched

This guide was created by reviewing publicly available legal information from official state statutes, judiciary websites, court resources, and family law publications. The goal is to explain family law topics in plain English so readers can better understand the process before speaking with an attorney.

Sources and Legal References

This guide is based on publicly available legal information and official sources, including:

• Maryland state statutes and family law codes (Md. Code, Family Law Sections 12-201 through 12-204)
• Maryland judicial branch website and court resources
• Official Maryland court forms (Worksheet A, CC-DR-034; Worksheet B, CC-DR-035)
• Maryland child support guideline publications and quadrennial review reports
• Maryland Department of Human Services, Child Support Enforcement Administration
• State bar association and legal aid resources

Official Maryland Resources

• Maryland Courts — Family Law Forms
• Maryland People’s Law Library — Calculating Child Support
• Maryland Department of Human Services — Child Support Services
• Maryland General Assembly — Family Law Section 12-204

For more about how we research our guides, see our editorial policy and sources methodology.

Related Guides

Learn more about related family law topics:

• How child support is calculated
• Maryland alimony: factors and types
• Divorce in Maryland
• Child support guidelines by state
• 50/50 custody and child support
• How to file for child support
• Modifying child support
• Child support enforcement
• Child support calculator

Last updated: April 2026. This guide summarizes general legal information based on publicly available sources and is provided for educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.