What should I know about child support in Maryland?

Paying child support is something that parents must take very seriously. Maryland laws have set up a system to help ensure that children are financially supported by both parents. This is crucial because as any parent knows, it isn’t cheap to raise a child.

Who is responsible for paying child support?

Child support orders dictate who has to pay child support and how much in support the paying party has to pay. The court determines the order based on how much time the child spends with each parent, the income or income potential of each parent and a host of other factors.

How long does child support last?

Unless there is a different order issued by the court, child support will end with the child turns 18 years old or graduates high school. It can also end when the child turns 19 years old. Child support payments would also stop if the child is emancipated since neither parent is legally responsible for the child’s expenses.

What is included in a child support order?

Child support orders include more than just orders for one parent to pay the other one. These orders also include information about how medical care and education expenses are paid. It can also include which parent should pay travel expenses for the child.

As you can see, there are several different points that must be covered in these orders. Each point in a child support order must be in compliance with the state’s laws. This makes understanding the laws a crucial step for a person who is in the midst of a case involving child custody orders.

Source: FindLaw, “Maryland Child Support Guidelines,” accessed March 15, 2017

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