Baltimore Child Support Lawyer
It is absolutely essential that custodial parents have the financial support they need to adequately raise their children. The state of Maryland has established legal guidelines to be used in a divorce or child custody hearing to determine an appropriate amount of support. Whether you are the paying parent or the one receiving support, you need to know that you are being treated fairly and not taken advantage of. Baltimore child support lawyers at the Law Office of Hasson D. Barnes, we use our knowledge and experience in Maryland divorce law to ensure that the correct amount of child support is ordered in your divorce.
A Look at the Maryland Child Support Guidelines
In a Maryland divorce, child support will be ordered to be paid to the parent with primary physical custody. The guidelines apply a complicated formula to arrive at a recommended child support amount. This formula is even more complicated in the case of shared custody, where each parent has overnight custody of the children more than 35% of the time. Elements of the child support guidelines formula include:
Monthly Actual Income – Each parent’s pre-tax income from a wide array of sources, including wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, workers’ compensation or disability benefits, Social Security, interest and trust income.
Adjustments to Income – Other support and alimony obligations are deducted to arrive at adjusted monthly income.
Each parent’s percentage share of income – Relative to the parents’ combined income.
Additional expenses – Daycare and other work-related child care expenses, health insurance, and any extraordinary medical expenses, including dental and orthodontic care, physical therapy, mental health counseling, and uninsured medical expenses greater than $100.
The percentage of overnights with each parent – For determining child support in shared physical custody situations.
These guidelines will help determine each parent’s financial obligation and the recommended child support amount for the noncustodial parent. It is important to understand that the actual amount of child support ordered could be higher or lower than the guidelines amount when the court is convinced a deviation would be in the best interest of the children and would meet their needs. We can help you by preparing and presenting a strong case if you are arguing for or against a deviation from the guidelines amount.
Client-Focused and Dedicated Baltimore Child Support Lawyer
For help with child support and other issues in your Baltimore divorce, call the Law Office of Hasson D. Barnes at 443-423-0548 to schedule an appointment with a caring and dedicated Baltimore child support lawyer.
