# Family Law (GFL) ## Title 12. Child Support ### Subtitle 1. General Provisions #### Section 12-101 (a) (1) Unless the court finds from the evidence that the amount of the award will produce an inequitable result, for an initial pleading that requests child support pendente lite, the court shall award child support for a period from the filing of the pleading that requests child support. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, unless the court finds from the evidence that the amount of the award will produce an inequitable result, for an initial pleading filed by a child support agency that requests child support, the court shall award child support for a period from the filing of the pleading that requests child support. (3) For any other pleading that requests child support, the court may award child support for a period from the filing of the pleading that requests child support. (b) The court shall give credit for payments that the court finds have been made during the period beginning from the filing of the pleading that requests child support. (c) Any support order or modification of a support order that is passed on or after July 1, 1997 shall include a statement that: (1) each party is required to notify the court and any support enforcement agency ordered to receive payments, within 10 days of any change of address or employment; and (2) failure to comply with paragraph (1) of this subsection may result in a party not receiving notice of the initiation of a proceeding to modify or enforce a support order. (d) (1) The court may order either parent to pay all or part of: (i) the mother's medical and hospital expenses for pregnancy, confinement, and recovery; and (ii) medical support for the child, including neonatal expenses. (2) Subject to the right of any party to subpoena a custodian of records at least 10 days before trial, any records relating to the cost of the mother's medical and hospital expenses for pregnancy, childbirth, and recovery and any neonatal expenses of the child shall be admissible in evidence without the presence of a custodian of record and shall constitute prima facie evidence of the amount of expenses incurred. #### Section 12-102 (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) "Accessible" means health insurance coverage that insures primary care services located within the lesser of 30 miles or 30 minutes from the child's primary residence. (3) "Actual income" has the meaning stated in Sec. 12-201(b) of this title. (4) "Adjusted actual income" has the meaning stated in Sec. 12-201 of this title. (5) "Basic child support obligation" has the meaning stated in Sec. 12-201 of this title. (6) "Cash medical support" means an amount paid: (i) toward the cost of health insurance provided by: (1) a public entity; or (2) one or both parents through employment or otherwise; or (ii) for other medical costs not covered by insurance, including extraordinary medical expenses. (7) "Extraordinary medical expenses" has the meaning stated in Sec. 12-201 of this title. (8) "Health insurance coverage" means any type of health care coverage under which medical care services can be provided to the child through an insurer. (9) "Insurer" means: (i) an insurer, a nonprofit health service organization, or a health maintenance organization operating in this State under a certificate of authority issued by the Maryland Insurance Commissioner; (ii) an entity that provides a group health plan, as defined in Sec. 607(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; or (iii) an entity offering a service benefit plan as defined by federal law. (10) "Medical support notice" means a notice that is: (i) in a format prescribed by federal law; and (ii) issued by a child support agency to enforce the health insurance coverage provisions of a child support order. (11) "Tribunal" has the meaning stated in Sec. 10-301 of this article. (b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the court may include in any support order a provision requiring either parent to include the child in the parent's health insurance coverage if: (1) the parent can obtain health insurance coverage through an employer or any form of group health insurance coverage; and (2) the child can be included at a reasonable cost to the parent in that health insurance coverage. (c) (1) This subsection applies only to a child support order under Title IV, Part D of the Social Security Act. (2) (i) The court shall include in any support order that is established or modified a provision requiring one or both parents to include the child in the parent's health insurance coverage if: (1) the parent can obtain health insurance coverage through an employer or any form of group health insurance coverage; (2) the child can be included at a reasonable cost to the parent in that health insurance coverage; and (3) the health insurance coverage is accessible to the child. (ii) For purposes of subparagraph (i)2 of this paragraph, the cost of health insurance coverage is reasonable if the cost of adding the child to existing health insurance coverage, or the difference between self-only and family coverage, does not exceed 5% of the actual income of the parent ordered to pay for health insurance coverage. (3) If health insurance coverage at a reasonable cost is not available at the time a support order is established or modified, the court: (i) may include a provision requiring one or both parents to include the child in the parent's health insurance coverage as described in paragraph (2) of this subsection if health insurance coverage at a reasonable cost becomes available in the future; and (ii) shall include a provision requiring one or both parents to provide cash medical support in an amount not to exceed 5% of the actual income of the parent ordered to provide cash medical support. (4) In addition to requiring one or both parents to provide health insurance coverage, the court may order one or both parents to provide cash medical support in an amount not to exceed 5% of the actual income of the parent ordered to provide cash medical support. (5) Cash medical support ordered under this subsection shall be added to the basic child support obligation and divided by the parents in proportion to their adjusted actual incomes. (6) The court may not order the obligee to pay cash medical support toward the cost of health insurance provided by a public entity for which the obligee does not pay a premium, including the Maryland Children's Health Program under Title 15, Subtitle 3 of the Health - General Article. (d) An order of a court requiring the provision of health insurance coverage for a child may be issued separate from or in conjunction with an earnings withholding order. (e) (1) If a court orders a parent to provide health insurance coverage under this section, the parent under the order or the support enforcement agency shall send a copy of the order or medical support notice to the parent's employer by first-class mail, separate from or in conjunction with an earnings withholding order, as provided in Sec. 10-123 of this article. (2) Within 20 business days after the receipt of the order or medical support notice, the employer shall: (i) send the appropriate part of the medical support notice to the employer's insurer; (ii) if the employer determines that, based on reasons related to the employee's employment status, the employee's child is ineligible for health insurance coverage, complete the appropriate part of the medical support notice and return it to the issuing child support agency; (iii) permit the parent, a child support enforcement agency, or the Maryland Department of Health to enroll the child in any health insurance coverage available to the parent without regard to any enrollment season restrictions; (iv) provide a statement to the support enforcement agency and to both parents that the child: (1) has been enrolled in health insurance coverage; (2) will be enrolled in health insurance coverage and that the expected date of enrollment will be provided; or (3) cannot be enrolled in health insurance coverage; and (v) provide information to both parents and to the support enforcement agency concerning the available health insurance coverage, including: (1) the employee's Social Security number; (2) the name, address, and telephone number of the insurer; (3) the policy number; (4) the group number; (5) the effective date of coverage; and (6) any schedule of benefits. (f) On receipt of the order or medical support notice, the employer: (1) if the employee's child is eligible for health insurance coverage, shall withhold from the employee's next earnings the amount of the employee contribution required to enroll the employee's child; (2) if the employee's child is not currently eligible for health insurance coverage but will become eligible, shall withhold from the employee's earnings, at the earliest time the employee's child becomes eligible, the amount of the employee contribution required to enroll the employee's child; or (3) if federal or State withholding limitations or prioritization prevent withholding from the employee's wages the amount required for enrollment, shall complete and send, to the issuing child support agency, the appropriate part of the medical support notice indicating the employee's income is insufficient for enrollment. (g) (1) To the extent consistent with the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act, the employer shall deduct the premiums for health insurance coverage from the earnings of the employee on a regular and continuing basis and pay the premiums to the insurer. (2) The employer shall send to the insurer the amount deducted from the employee's earnings each pay period within 10 business days after the day on which the earnings are paid to the employee. (h) An employer or the child's parents may not disenroll or eliminate coverage for the child in any manner unless: (1) the employer is provided satisfactory written evidence that: (i) the court order is no longer in effect; or (ii) the child has been or will be enrolled under other reasonable health insurance coverage, with the coverage to take effect no later than the effective date of disenrollment; (2) the employer has eliminated family health coverage for all of its employees; or (3) the employer no longer employs the parent under whose name the child has been enrolled for coverage except to the extent that if the parent elects to exercise the provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) then coverage must be provided for the child consistent with the employer's plan relating to postemployment medical coverage for dependents. (i) (1) If the health insurance coverage for the child terminates, the employer shall notify the other parent and, if a support enforcement agency is involved in the case, the support enforcement agency within 15 days of termination of the insurance. (2) If, after a lapse in health insurance coverage, health insurance coverage becomes available to the employee for the child, the employer shall: (i) enroll the child in health insurance coverage without regard to any enrollment season restrictions; and (ii) within 15 days after health insurance coverage becomes available, provide notice to the support enforcement agency and the other parent of the enrollment. (j) Subject to the provisions of this section, the parent or the support enforcement agency may bring a civil action against an employer who willfully violates the provisions of this section. (k) This section does not limit the authority of a court to enter, modify, or enforce an order requiring payment of uninsured health expenses, health care costs, or health insurance premiums. (l) An employer may not use the existence of an order or a medical support notice requiring health insurance coverage as a basis for: (1) reprisal against an employee; (2) dismissal of an employee from employment; or (3) refusal to hire a person or to promote an employee. (m) An order entered under this section is binding on a present and future employer of the parent on whom a copy of this order is served. #### Section 12-102.1 (a) A medical support notice: (1) may be issued by a child support agency in any child support case in which a circuit court of this State or tribunal of another jurisdiction has ordered a parent to include the child in the parent's health insurance coverage; and (2) shall be issued by a child support agency in all child support cases enforced by the Administration in which a noncustodial parent's employer is known and a circuit court of this State or tribunal of another jurisdiction has ordered the parent to include the child in the parent's health insurance coverage, unless the court order or administrative order provides for alternative health insurance coverage. (b) A medical support notice shall: (1) be in a format approved by the federal government; (2) be a separate document that does not include any other orders or pleadings; and (3) include the following information: (i) a statement explaining the employer's obligations under this subtitle to withhold any employee contributions due in connection with health insurance coverage for the employee's child; (ii) a statement explaining that, subject to further orders of the circuit court of this State or tribunal of another jurisdiction, the employer is required to withhold the appropriate amount on a regular and continuing basis beginning with the next pay period after receipt of the appropriate part of the medical support notice indicating the employee's child is eligible for enrollment; (iii) an explanation of the application of the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act limits; (iv) an explanation of the applicability of any prioritization required when available funds are insufficient for full withholding for both child support and medical support; (v) any other information that the employer needs to comply with the medical support notice; (vi) a statement that failure to comply with the medical support notice without good cause may subject the employer or carrier to civil penalties; (vii) a statement of the employee's right to contest the withholding based on a mistake of fact; and (viii) the name and telephone number of the appropriate person to contact at the Administration about the medical support notice. (c) Subject to federal law, a medical support notice has priority over any other lien or legal process, except for current support and support arrears withheld under an earnings withholding order or notice. (d) A medical support notice that is completed appropriately and satisfies the conditions of Sec. 609(a) of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act shall: (1) be treated as a qualified medical child support order by a carrier; (2) have the same force and effect as a qualified medical child support order; and (3) be enforceable in the same manner as a qualified medical child support order. (e) A medical support notice issued in another state shall be enforced in the same manner as a medical support notice issued in this State. #### Section 12-102.2 An administrative order or a medical support notice for health insurance coverage issued in any other state or territory will be enforced to the same extent in a proceeding under this subtitle as an order or a medical support notice for health insurance coverage issued in this State. #### Section 12-102.3 (a) (1) This section applies to administrative contests of withholdings from an employee's earnings made by an employer for the purpose of complying with this title. (2) Nothing in this section may be construed to limit an employee's right to judicially contest an underlying court order requiring the employee to provide health insurance coverage for the employee's child. (b) (1) An employee may only contest a withholding under this section based on a mistake of fact. (2) The only issues that may be contested are: (i) the identity of the employee; (ii) whether there is an underlying court order requiring the employee to provide health insurance coverage for the employee's child; (iii) that the amount of the withholding exceeds the limits of the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act; and (iv) that the child for whom health insurance coverage is sought is emancipated. (c) An employee may contest a withholding by sending a written request for an investigation to the Administration within 15 days after receiving notice of the withholding from the employer. (d) If an employee requests an investigation, the Administration: (1) shall conduct an investigation within 15 days after the request; and (2) on completion of the investigation, shall notify the employee of the results of the investigation and the employee's right to appeal the decision of the Administration to the Office of Administrative Hearings. (e) (1) (i) An employee may appeal the Administration's decision to the Office of Administrative Hearings by filing a written request for a hearing with the Administration or the Office of Administrative Hearings. (ii) The request for a hearing shall be made: (1) on a form provided by the Administration; and (2) within 15 days after receiving the written results of the Administration's investigation. (2) The only issues that may be contested in an administrative hearing are: (i) the identity of the employee; (ii) whether there is an underlying court order requiring the employee to provide health insurance coverage for the employee's child; (iii) that the amount of the withholding exceeds the limits of the federal Consumer Credit Protection Act; and (iv) that the child for whom health insurance coverage is sought is emancipated. (3) An appeal under this section shall be conducted in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 2 of the State Government Article. (f) Enrollment of the employee's child may not be stayed or terminated until the employer receives written notice that the contest is resolved in the employee's favor. #### Section 12-103 (a) The court may award to either party the costs and counsel fees that are just and proper under all the circumstances in any case in which a person: (1) applies for a decree or modification of a decree concerning the custody, support, or visitation of a child of the parties; or (2) files any form of proceeding: (i) to recover arrearages of child support; (ii) to enforce a decree of child support; or (iii) to enforce a decree of custody or visitation. (b) Before a court may award costs and counsel fees under this section, the court shall consider: (1) the financial status of each party; (2) the needs of each party; and (3) whether there was substantial justification for bringing, maintaining, or defending the proceeding. (c) Upon a finding by the court that there was an absence of substantial justification of a party for prosecuting or defending the proceeding, and absent a finding by the court of good cause to the contrary, the court shall award to the other party costs and counsel fees. #### Section 12-104 (a) The court may modify a child support award subsequent to the filing of a motion for modification and upon a showing of a material change of circumstance. (b) The court may not retroactively modify a child support award prior to the date of the filing of the motion for modification. (c) If a party becomes incarcerated, the court may determine that a material change of circumstance warranting a modification of child support has occurred, provided that the party's ability to pay child support is sufficiently reduced due to incarceration. #### Section 12-104.1 (a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. (2) "Administration" has the meaning stated in Sec. 10-101 of this article. (3) "Obligee" has the meaning stated in Sec. 10-101 of this article. (4) "Obligor" has the meaning stated in Sec. 10-101 of this article. (b) A child support payment is not past due and arrearages may not accrue during any period when the obligor is incarcerated, and continuing for 60 days after the obligor's release from confinement, if the obligor is not on work release and has insufficient resources with which to make payment. (c) (1) In any case in which the Administration is providing child support services under Title IV, Part D of the Social Security Act, the Administration may, without the necessity of any motion being filed with the court, adjust an incarcerated obligor's payment account to reflect the suspension of the accrual of arrearages under subsection (b) of this section. (2) Before making an adjustment under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Administration shall send written notice of the proposed action to the obligee, including the obligee's right to object to the proposed action and an explanation of the procedures for filing an objection. #### Section 12-105 (a) (1) The Child Support Administration of the Department of Human Services shall maintain a central registry of records of all identifying information that relates to parents who have deserted or who appear to have deserted their children. (2) The Child Support Administration shall list these parents in the registry whether or not their children are likely to become recipients of public assistance or foster care. (b) In accordance with subsections (c) and (d) of this section, to carry out the purposes of this section, the Child Support Administration may receive from any agency of this State, political subdivision of this State, employer, public service company, energy provider, or labor union information and assistance that will enable the Child Support Administration, the local enforcement office, or the State's Attorney for the county involved: (1) to locate an absent parent or a parent who has deserted or appears to have deserted a child; (2) to enforce the liability of the parent for the support of a child of the parent; or (3) to obtain other financial and location information concerning parents and putative fathers needed by the Administration to carry out its responsibilities under State and federal law. (c) (1) Upon written request by the Child Support Administration, any agency of this State, political subdivision of this State, employer, or labor union shall provide, if available, a person's: (i) Social Security account number; (ii) date of birth; (iii) last known residence or mailing address; (iv) present or last known employer; (v) length of employment; (vi) job classification; (vii) name of person to be notified in case of emergency and the person's residence; (viii) work hours; (ix) amounts of wages or other assets; and (x) medical insurance provider. (2) As to individuals who were employed within the 3 years preceding a request for information by the Child Support Administration, the State agency, political subdivision, employer, or labor union shall provide whatever information is available. (3) (i) Upon request and a showing of cause by the Child Support Administration, a circuit court may issue an order requiring an employer or labor union to comply with a request for information under this section. (ii) If an employer or labor union refuses to provide information from its employee or member files as required by an order by a circuit court issued under this paragraph, the employer or labor union shall be in contempt of court. (d) (1) In accordance with a subpoena issued by the Administration under Sec. 10-108.6 of this article, a public service company or energy provider shall provide, if available: (i) a person's name and address; and (ii) the name and address of the person's employer. (2) If a public service company or energy provider fails to comply with a subpoena issued by the Administration, the Administration shall have available the remedies provided under Sec. 10-108.4 of this article. (e) An employer, public service company, energy provider, or labor union that complies with a request from the Administration made under this section is not liable under State law to any person for any: (1) disclosure of information to the Administration under this section; or (2) other action taken in good faith to comply with the requirements of this section. (f) Any record compiled from information provided under this section shall be available only to: (1) an authorized representative of this State or of a local department of this State; or (2) a person who has a statutory right to the records in an official capacity. ### Subtitle 2. Child Support Guidelines #### Section 12-201 (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) (1) "Actual income" means income from any source. (2) For income from self-employment, rent, royalties, proprietorship of a business, or joint ownership of a partnership or closely held corporation, "actual income" means gross receipts minus ordinary and necessary expenses required to produce income. (3) "Actual income" includes: (i) salaries; (ii) wages; (iii) commissions; (iv) bonuses; (v) dividend income; (vi) pension income; (vii) interest income; (viii) trust income; (ix) annuity income; (x) Social Security benefits; (xi) workers' compensation benefits; (xii) unemployment insurance benefits; (xiii) disability insurance benefits; (xiv) for the obligor, any third party payment paid to or for a minor child as a result of the obligor's disability, retirement, or other compensable claim; (xv) alimony or maintenance received; and (xvi) expense reimbursements or in-kind payments received by a parent in the course of employment, self-employment, or operation of a business to the extent the reimbursements or payments reduce the parent's personal living expenses. (4) Based on the circumstances of the case, the court may consider the following items as actual income: (i) severance pay; (ii) capital gains; (iii) gifts; or (iv) prizes. (5) "Actual income" does not include benefits received from means-tested public assistance programs, including temporary cash assistance, Supplemental Security Income, food stamps, and transitional emergency, medical, and housing assistance. (c) (1) "Adjusted actual income" means actual income minus: (i) preexisting reasonable child support obligations actually paid; (ii) except as provided in Sec. 12-204(a)(2) of this subtitle, alimony or maintenance obligations actually paid; and (iii) an allowance for support for each child living in a parent's home to whom the parent owes a legal duty of support if the child is considered to be spending more than 92 overnights in the parent's home in a year and not subject to the support order. (2) For purposes of determining the amount of the allowance under paragraph (1)(iii) of this subsection: (i) the basic child support obligation for each additional child in the parent's home shall be determined in accordance with Sec. 12-204 of this subtitle, using only the actual income of the parent entitled to the deduction; and (ii) the amount determined under item (i) of this paragraph shall be multiplied by 75%. (3) The court shall decline to award an allowance under paragraph (1) of this subsection if the court finds, after considering the evidence and the best interest of the child for whom support is being determined, that the application of an allowance would be unjust or inappropriate. (d) "Adjusted basic child support obligation" means an adjustment of the basic child support obligation for shared physical custody. (e) "Basic child support obligation" means the base amount due for child support calculated using the combined adjusted actual incomes of both parents as adjusted by the self-support reserve. (f) "Combined adjusted actual income" means the combined monthly adjusted actual incomes of both parents. (g) (1) "Extraordinary medical expenses" means uninsured costs for medical treatment in excess of $250 in any calendar year. (2) "Extraordinary medical expenses" includes uninsured, reasonable, and necessary costs for orthodontia, dental treatment, vision care, asthma treatment, physical therapy, treatment for any chronic health problem, and professional counseling or psychiatric therapy for diagnosed mental disorders. (h) "Health insurance" includes medical insurance, dental insurance, prescription drug coverage, and vision insurance. (i) "Income" means: (1) actual income of a parent, if the parent is employed to full capacity; or (2) potential income of a parent, if the parent is voluntarily impoverished. (j) "Obligee" means any person who is entitled to receive child support. (k) "Obligor" means an individual who is required to pay child support under a court order. (l) "Ordinary and necessary expenses" does not include amounts allowable by the Internal Revenue Service for the accelerated component of depreciation expenses or investment tax credits or any other business expenses determined by the court to be inappropriate for determining actual income for purposes of calculating child support. (m) "Potential income" means income attributed to a parent determined by: (1) the parent's employment potential and probable earnings level based on, but not limited to: (i) the parent's: (1) age; (2) physical and behavioral condition; (3) educational attainment; (4) special training or skills; (5) literacy; (6) residence; (7) occupational qualifications and job skills; (8) employment and earnings history; (9) record of efforts to obtain and retain employment; and (10) criminal record and other employment barriers; and (ii) employment opportunities in the community where the parent lives, including: (1) the status of the job market; (2) prevailing earnings levels; and (3) the availability of employers willing to hire the parent; (2) the parent's assets; (3) the parent's actual income from all sources; and (4) any other factor bearing on the parent's ability to obtain funds for child support. (n) "Self-support reserve" means the adjustment to a basic child support obligation ensuring that a child support obligor maintains a minimum amount of monthly income, after payment of child support, federal and state income taxes, and Federal Insurance Contribution Act taxes, of at least 110% of the 2019 federal poverty level for an individual. (o) (1) "Shared physical custody" means that each parent keeps the child or children overnight for more than 25% of the year and that both parents contribute to the expenses of the child or children in addition to the payment of child support. (2) Subject to paragraph (1) of this subsection, the court may base a child support award on shared physical custody: (i) solely on the amount of visitation awarded; and (ii) regardless of whether joint custody has been granted. (p) "Shared physical custody adjustment" means the adjustment made to a theoretical adjusted basic child support obligation in a shared physical custody case when a parent keeps the child or children overnight for more than 25% (at least 92 overnights), but less than 30% (not more than 109 overnights), of the year. (q) "Voluntarily impoverished" means that a parent has made the free and conscious choice, not compelled by factors beyond the parent's control, to render the parent without adequate resources. #### Section 12-202 (a) (1) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (2) of this subsection and subsection (c) of this section, in any proceeding to establish or modify child support, whether pendente lite or permanent, the court shall use the child support guidelines set forth in this subtitle. (2) (i) There is a rebuttable presumption that the amount of child support which would result from the application of the child support guidelines set forth in this subtitle is the correct amount of child support to be awarded. (ii) The presumption may be rebutted by evidence that the application of the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate in a particular case. (iii) In determining whether the application of the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate in a particular case, the court may consider any financial considerations: (1) specified in an existing separation or property settlement agreement or court order, including: (A) any provisions for payment of mortgages, marital debts, or college education expenses; (B) the terms of any use and possession order or right to occupy the family home under an agreement; and (C) any direct payments made for the benefit of the children required by the agreement or order; (2) that the court deems relevant to the best interests of the child who is the subject of the child support order; or (3) that would leave the obligor with a monthly actual income below 110% of the 2019 federal poverty level for an individual. (iv) (1) If the court determines that the application of the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate in a particular case, the court shall make a written finding or specific finding on the record stating the reasons for departing from the guidelines. (2) The court's finding shall state: (A) the amount of child support that would have been required under the guidelines; (B) how the order varies from the guidelines; (C) how the finding serves the best interests of the child who is the subject of the order; and (D) in cases in which items of value are conveyed instead of a portion of the support presumed under the guidelines, the estimated value of the items conveyed. (b) After establishing a child support order, the court shall send a copy of the guideline calculation and the order to the Child Support Administration. (c) (1) The court may decline to establish a child support order if the parent who would have the obligation to pay child support: (i) lives with the child who would be the subject of the child support order and is contributing to the support of the child; or (ii) (1) is unemployed; (2) has no financial resources from which to pay child support; and (3) (A) is incarcerated and is expected to remain incarcerated for the remainder of the time that the parent would have a legal duty to support the child; (B) is institutionalized in a psychiatric care facility and is expected to remain institutionalized for the remainder of the time that the parent would have a legal duty to support the child; (C) is totally and permanently disabled, is unable to obtain or maintain employment, and has no income other than Supplemental Security Income or Social Security disability insurance benefits; or (D) is unable to obtain or maintain employment in the foreseeable future due to compliance with criminal detainment, hospitalization, or a rehabilitation treatment plan. (2) The fact that a parent meets or ceases to meet the criteria described in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall constitute a material change of circumstance for the purpose of a modification of a child support award. (d) The adoption or revision of the guidelines set forth in this subtitle is not a material change of circumstance for the purpose of a modification of a child support award. (e) On or before January 1, 1993, and at least every 4 years after that date, the Child Support Administration of the Department of Human Services shall: (1) review the guidelines set forth in this subtitle to ensure that the application of the guidelines results in the determination of appropriate child support award amounts; and (2) report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly, subject to Sec. 2-1257 of the State Government Article. #### Section 12-203 (a) The Supreme Court of Maryland may issue standardized worksheet forms to be used in applying the child support guidelines set forth in this subtitle. (b) (1) Income statements of the parents shall be verified with documentation of both current and past actual income. (2) (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, suitable documentation of actual income includes pay stubs, employer statements otherwise admissible under the rules of evidence, or receipts and expenses if self-employed, and copies of each parent's 3 most recent federal tax returns. (ii) If a parent is self-employed or has received an increase or decrease in income of 20% or more in a 1-year period within the past 3 years, the court may require that parent to provide copies of federal tax returns for the 5 most recent years. #### Section 12-204 (a) (1) The basic child support obligation shall be determined in accordance with the schedule of basic child support obligations in subsection (e) of this section. The basic child support obligation shall be divided between the parents in proportion to their adjusted actual incomes. (2) (i) If one or both parents have made a request for alimony or maintenance in the proceeding in which a child support award is sought, the court shall decide the issue and amount of alimony or maintenance before determining the child support obligation under these guidelines. (ii) If the court awards alimony or maintenance, the amount of alimony or maintenance awarded shall be considered actual income for the recipient of the alimony or maintenance and shall be subtracted from the income of the payor of the alimony or maintenance under Sec. 12-201(c)(1)(ii) of this subtitle before the court determines the amount of a child support award. (3) The amount of the allowance for the support of additional children living in a parent's home described in Sec. 12-201(c)(1)(iii) of this subtitle shall be subtracted from the parent's actual income before the court determines the amount of a child support award. (b) (1) (i) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, if a parent is voluntarily impoverished, child support may be calculated based on a determination of potential income. (ii) A parent who is incarcerated may not be considered to be voluntarily impoverished. (2) If there is a dispute as to whether a parent is voluntarily impoverished, the court shall: (i) make a finding as to whether, based on the totality of the circumstances, the parent is voluntarily impoverished; and (ii) if the court finds that the parent is voluntarily impoverished, consider the factors specified in Sec. 12-201(m) of this subtitle in determining the amount of potential income that should be imputed to the parent. (3) A determination of potential income may not be made for a parent who is: (i) unable to work because of a physical or mental disability; (ii) caring for a child under the age of 2 years for whom the parents are jointly and severally responsible; or (iii) incarcerated. (c) If a combined adjusted actual income amount falls between amounts shown in the schedule, the basic child support amount shall be extrapolated to the next higher amount. (d) If the combined adjusted actual income exceeds the highest level specified in the schedule in subsection (e) of this section, the court may use its discretion in setting the amount of child support. (e) Schedule of basic child support obligations. An asterisk (*) indicates a child support obligation adjusted by the self-support reserve. Combined Adjusted 6 or Actual 1 2 3 4 5 More Income Child Children Children Children Children Children 0-1200 *50 *55 *57 *58 *59 *60 1250 *74 *79 *81 *82 *83 *84 1300 *109 *116 *119 *121 *122 *124 1350 *144 *154 *158 *160 *162 *164 1400 *179 *191 *196 *199 *201 *204 1450 *214 *229 *235 *238 *241 *244 1500 *249 *266 *273 *277 *280 *284 1550 *284 *304 *312 *316 *320 *324 1600 *319 *341 *350 *355 *359 *364 1650 339 *379 *389 *394 *399 *404 1700 348 *416 *427 *433 *438 *444 1750 357 *454 *466 *472 *478 *484 1800 367 *491 *504 *511 *517 *524 1850 376 *529 *543 *550 *557 *564 1900 385 565 *581 *589 *596 *604 1950 394 578 *620 *628 *636 *644 2000 403 591 *658 *667 *675 *684 2050 412 604 *697 *706 *715 *724 2100 421 617 *735 *745 *754 *764 2150 430 631 762 *784 *794 *804 2200 439 644 778 *823 *833 *844 2250 448 657 794 *862 *873 *884 2300 457 670 810 *901 *912 *924 2350 466 684 826 923 *952 *964 2400 475 697 842 941 *991 *1004 2450 484 710 858 958 *1031 *1044 2500 493 723 874 976 *1070 *1084 2550 502 736 890 994 1094 *1124 2600 511 750 906 1012 1113 *1164 2650 520 763 922 1030 1133 *1204 2700 529 776 938 1048 1152 *1244 2750 538 789 954 1066 1172 1274 2800 547 803 970 1083 1192 1295 2850 556 816 986 1101 1211 1317 2900 565 829 1002 1119 1231 1338 2950 574 842 1018 1137 1251 1359 3000 583 856 1034 1155 1270 1381 3050 592 869 1050 1173 1290 1402 3100 601 882 1066 1190 1310 1423 3150 610 895 1082 1208 1329 1445 3200 619 908 1098 1226 1349 1466 3250 628 922 1114 1244 1368 1487 3300 637 935 1130 1262 1388 1509 3350 646 948 1146 1280 1408 1530 3400 655 961 1162 1298 1427 1552 3450 664 975 1178 1315 1447 1573 3500 673 988 1194 1333 1467 1594 3550 682 1001 1210 1351 1486 1616 3600 691 1014 1226 1369 1506 1637 3650 700 1027 1242 1387 1526 1658 3700 709 1041 1258 1405 1545 1680 3750 718 1054 1274 1423 1565 1701 3800 727 1067 1290 1440 1584 1722 3850 736 1080 1306 1458 1604 1744 3900 745 1094 1321 1476 1624 1765 3950 754 1107 1337 1494 1643 1786 4000 763 1120 1353 1512 1663 1808 4050 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1870 2239 2501 2752 2991 9850 1336 1873 2244 2506 2757 2997 9900 1339 1875 2248 2511 2762 3003 9950 1342 1878 2253 2516 2768 3008 10000 1345 1881 2257 2521 2773 3014 10050 1353 1892 2269 2534 2788 3030 10100 1361 1903 2281 2548 2802 3046 10150 1369 1915 2293 2561 2817 3062 10200 1377 1926 2305 2574 2832 3078 10250 1385 1937 2317 2588 2847 3094 10300 1393 1949 2329 2601 2861 3110 10350 1402 1960 2341 2615 2876 3126 10400 1410 1971 2353 2628 2891 3142 10450 1418 1983 2365 2641 2905 3158 10500 1426 1994 2377 2655 2920 3174 10550 1434 2005 2389 2668 2935 3190 10600 1442 2017 2401 2681 2950 3206 10650 1451 2028 2413 2695 2964 3222 10700 1459 2040 2424 2708 2979 3238 10750 1467 2051 2436 2722 2994 3254 10800 1475 2062 2448 2735 3008 3270 10850 1483 2074 2460 2748 3023 3286 10900 1491 2085 2472 2762 3038 3302 10950 1499 2096 2484 2775 3053 3318 11000 1508 2108 2496 2788 3067 3334 11050 1516 2119 2508 2802 3082 3350 11100 1524 2130 2520 2815 3097 3366 11150 1532 2142 2532 2828 3111 3382 11200 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3830 12600 1768 2471 2879 3216 3538 3846 12650 1777 2482 2891 3230 3553 3862 12700 1785 2493 2903 3243 3567 3878 12750 1793 2505 2915 3256 3582 3894 12800 1801 2516 2927 3270 3597 3910 12850 1809 2527 2939 3283 3611 3926 12900 1817 2539 2951 3296 3626 3942 12950 1825 2550 2963 3310 3641 3958 13000 1834 2561 2975 3323 3656 3974 13050 1842 2573 2987 3337 3670 3990 13100 1850 2584 2999 3350 3685 4006 13150 1858 2596 3011 3363 3700 4022 13200 1866 2607 3023 3377 3714 4037 13250 1874 2618 3035 3390 3729 4053 13300 1882 2630 3047 3403 3744 4069 13350 1891 2641 3059 3417 3758 4085 13400 1899 2652 3071 3430 3773 4101 13450 1907 2664 3083 3444 3788 4117 13500 1915 2675 3095 3457 3803 4133 13550 1923 2686 3107 3470 3817 4149 13600 1931 2698 3119 3484 3832 4165 13650 1939 2709 3131 3497 3847 4181 13700 1948 2720 3143 3510 3861 4197 13750 1956 2732 3155 3524 3876 4213 13800 1964 2743 3167 3537 3891 4229 13850 1972 2754 3179 3550 3906 4245 13900 1980 2766 3191 3564 3920 4261 13950 1988 2777 3203 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26450 2926 4222 4829 5395 5934 6450 26500 2929 4227 4835 5401 5941 6458 26550 2932 4233 4841 5408 5949 6466 26600 2936 4238 4847 5415 5956 6474 26650 2939 4243 4853 5421 5963 6482 26700 2942 4248 4859 5428 5971 6490 26750 2946 4254 4866 5435 5978 6498 26800 2949 4259 4872 5441 5986 6506 26850 2952 4264 4878 5448 5993 6514 26900 2956 4269 4884 5455 6000 6522 26950 2959 4275 4890 5462 6008 6530 27000 2963 4280 4896 5468 6015 6538 27050 2966 4285 4902 5475 6023 6546 27100 2969 4290 4908 5482 6030 6555 27150 2973 4296 4914 5488 6037 6563 27200 2976 4301 4920 5495 6045 6571 27250 2979 4306 4926 5502 6052 6579 27300 2983 4312 4932 5509 6059 6587 27350 2986 4317 4938 5515 6067 6595 27400 2989 4322 4944 5522 6074 6603 27450 2993 4327 4950 5529 6082 6611 27500 2996 4333 4956 5535 6089 6619 27550 2999 4338 4962 5542 6096 6627 27600 3003 4343 4968 5549 6104 6635 27650 3006 4348 4974 5556 6111 6643 27700 3009 4354 4980 5562 6118 6651 27750 3013 4359 4986 5569 6126 6659 27800 3016 4364 4992 5576 6133 6667 27850 3019 4369 4998 5582 6141 6675 27900 3023 4375 5004 5589 6148 6683 27950 3026 4380 5010 5596 6155 6691 28000 3029 4385 5016 5603 6163 6699 28050 3033 4391 5022 5609 6170 6707 28100 3036 4396 5028 5616 6178 6715 28150 3039 4401 5034 5623 6185 6723 28200 3043 4406 5040 5629 6192 6731 28250 3046 4412 5046 5636 6200 6739 28300 3050 4417 5052 5643 6207 6747 28350 3053 4422 5058 5649 6214 6755 28400 3056 4427 5064 5656 6222 6763 28450 3060 4433 5070 5663 6229 6771 28500 3063 4438 5076 5670 6237 6779 28550 3066 4443 5082 5676 6244 6787 28600 3070 4449 5088 5683 6251 6795 28650 3073 4454 5094 5690 6259 6803 28700 3076 4459 5100 5696 6266 6811 28750 3080 4464 5106 5703 6273 6819 28800 3083 4470 5112 5710 6281 6827 28850 3086 4475 5118 5717 6288 6835 28900 3090 4480 5124 5723 6296 6843 28950 3093 4485 5130 5730 6303 6851 29000 3096 4491 5136 5737 6310 6859 29050 3100 4496 5142 5743 6318 6867 29100 3103 4501 5148 5750 6325 6875 29150 3106 4506 5154 5757 6333 6883 29200 3110 4512 5160 5764 6340 6891 29250 3113 4517 5166 5770 6347 6899 29300 3116 4522 5172 5777 6355 6908 29350 3120 4528 5178 5784 6362 6916 29400 3123 4533 5184 5790 6369 6924 29450 3126 4538 5190 5797 6377 6932 29500 3130 4543 5196 5804 6384 6940 29550 3133 4549 5202 5811 6392 6948 29600 3137 4554 5208 5817 6399 6956 29650 3140 4559 5214 5824 6406 6964 29700 3143 4564 5220 5831 6414 6972 29750 3147 4570 5226 5837 6421 6980 29800 3150 4575 5232 5844 6428 6988 29850 3153 4580 5238 5851 6436 6996 29900 3157 4586 5244 5857 6443 7004 29950 3160 4591 5250 5864 6451 7012 30000 3163 4596 5256 5871 6458 7020 (f) The adjusted basic child support obligation shall be determined by multiplying the basic child support obligation by one and one-half. (g) (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection, actual child care expenses incurred on behalf of a child due to employment or job search of either parent shall be added to the basic obligation and shall be divided between the parents in proportion to their adjusted actual incomes. (2) Child care expenses shall be: (i) determined by actual family experience, unless the court determines that the actual family experience is not in the best interest of the child; or (ii) if there is no actual family experience or if the court determines that actual family experience is not in the best interest of the child: (1) the level required to provide quality care from a licensed source; or (2) if the obligee chooses quality child care with an actual cost of an amount less than the level required to provide quality care from a licensed source, the actual cost of the child care expense. (3) Additional child care expenses may be considered if a child has special needs. (h) (1) Any actual cost of providing health insurance coverage for a child for whom the parents are jointly and severally responsible shall be added to the basic child support obligation and shall be divided by the parents in proportion to their adjusted actual incomes. (2) Any extraordinary medical expenses incurred on behalf of a child shall be added to the basic child support obligation and shall be divided between the parents in proportion to their adjusted actual incomes. (i) By agreement of the parties or by order of court, the following expenses incurred on behalf of a child may be divided between the parents in proportion to their adjusted actual incomes: (1) any expenses for attending a special or private elementary or secondary school to meet the particular educational needs of the child; or (2) any expenses for transportation of the child between the homes of the parents. (j) (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, when a disability dependency benefit, a retirement dependency benefit, or other third party dependency benefit is paid to or for a child of an obligor who is disabled, retired, or is receiving benefits from any source as a result of a compensable claim, the amount of the compensation shall be set off against the child support obligation calculated using the guidelines. (2) (i) If the amount paid to or for a child exceeds the current child support obligation calculated using the guidelines, the excess payment shall be credited to any existing child support arrearage that accrued after the effective date the benefits were awarded. (ii) The excess payment may not be credited to any future child support obligation. (k) (1) Upon the expiration of a use and possession order or the expiration of the right to occupy the family home under a separation or property settlement agreement and upon motion of either party, the court shall review the child support award. (2) If the allocation of financial responsibility for the family home was a factor in departing from the guidelines under subsection (a) of this section, the court may modify the child support, if appropriate in all the circumstances, upon the expiration of the use and possession order or the expiration of the right to occupy the family home under a separation or property settlement agreement. (l) (1) Except in cases of shared physical custody, each parent's child support obligation shall be determined by adding each parent's respective share of the basic child support obligation, work-related child care expenses, health insurance expenses, extraordinary medical expenses, and additional expenses under subsection (i) of this section. (2) The obligee shall be presumed to spend that parent's total child support obligation directly on the child or children. (3) The obligor shall owe that parent's total child support obligation as child support to the obligee minus any ordered payments included in the calculations made directly by the obligor on behalf of the child or children for work-related child care expenses, health insurance expenses, extraordinary medical expenses, or additional expenses under subsection (i) of this section. (m) (1) In cases of shared physical custody, the adjusted basic child support obligation shall first be divided between the parents in proportion to their respective adjusted actual incomes. (2) (i) Each parent's share of the adjusted basic child support obligation shall then be multiplied by the percentage of time the child or children spend with the other parent to determine the theoretical basic child support obligation owed to the other parent. (ii) (1) When a parent with shared physical custody keeps the child or children overnight for more than 25% (at least 92 overnights), but less than 30% (not more than 109 overnights), of the year, that parent's theoretical basic child support obligation shall be increased by the amount of the shared physical custody adjustment specified in subsubparagraph 2 of this subparagraph. (2) The shared physical custody adjustment shall be calculated by multiplying the theoretical basic child support obligation for a parent described in subsubparagraph 1 of this subparagraph by: (A) (0) 10, when the parent keeps the child or children overnight for more than 25% (at least 92 overnights), but less than 26% (not more than 94 overnights), of the year; (B) (0) 08, when the parent keeps the child or children overnight for more than 26% (at least 95 overnights), but less than 27% (not more than 98 overnights), of the year; (C) (0) 06, when the parent keeps the child or children overnight for more than 27% (at least 99 overnights), but less than 28% (not more than 102 overnights), of the year; (D) (0) 04, when the parent keeps the child or children overnight for more than 28% (at least 103 overnights), but less than 29% (not more than 105 overnights), of the year; or (E) (0) 02, when the parent keeps the child or children overnight for more than 29% (at least 106 overnights), but less than 30% (not more than 109 overnights), of the year. (3) Subject to the provisions of paragraphs (4) and (5) of this subsection, the parent owing the greater amount under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall owe the difference in the 2 amounts as child support. (4) In addition to the amount of the child support owed under paragraph (3) of this subsection, if either parent incurs child care expenses under subsection (g) of this section, health insurance expenses under subsection (h)(1) of this section, extraordinary medical expenses under subsection (h)(2) of this section, or additional expenses under subsection (i) of this section, the expense shall be divided between the parents in proportion to their respective adjusted actual incomes. The parent not incurring the expense shall pay that parent's proportionate share to: (i) the parent making direct payments to the provider of the service; or (ii) the provider directly, if a court order requires direct payments to the provider. (5) The amount owed under paragraph (3) of this subsection may not exceed the amount that would be owed under subsection (l) of this section. --- Md. Code Ann., Fam. Law (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)