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<section article="gfl" article_name="Family Law" number="12-202" title_number="12" title_name="Child Support" subtitle_number="2" subtitle_name="Child Support Guidelines">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>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.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <level label="i">
        <text>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.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>The presumption may be rebutted by evidence that the application of the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate in a particular case.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>In determining whether the application of the guidelines would be unjust or inappropriate in a particular case, the court may consider any financial considerations:</text>
        <level label="1">
          <text>specified in an existing separation or property settlement agreement or court order, including:</text>
        </level>
        <level label="A">
          <text>any provisions for payment of mortgages, marital debts, or college education expenses;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="B">
          <text>the terms of any use and possession order or right to occupy the family home under an agreement; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="C">
          <text>any direct payments made for the benefit of the children required by the agreement or order;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>that the court deems relevant to the best interests of the child who is the subject of the child support order; or</text>
        </level>
        <level label="3">
          <text>that would leave the obligor with a monthly actual income below 110% of the 2019 federal poverty level for an individual.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <level label="1">
          <text>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.</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>The court’s finding shall state:</text>
        </level>
        <level label="A">
          <text>the amount of child support that would have been required under the guidelines;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="B">
          <text>how the order varies from the guidelines;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="C">
          <text>how the finding serves the best interests of the child who is the subject of the order; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="D">
          <text>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.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>After establishing a child support order, the court shall send a copy of the guideline calculation and the order to the Child Support Administration.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <text>The court may decline to establish a child support order if the parent who would have the obligation to pay child support:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>lives with the child who would be the subject of the child support order and is contributing to the support of the child; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <level label="1">
          <text>is unemployed;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="2">
          <text>has no financial resources from which to pay child support; and</text>
        </level>
        <level label="3">
          <level label="A">
            <text>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;</text>
          </level>
        </level>
        <level label="B">
          <text>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;</text>
        </level>
        <level label="C">
          <text>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</text>
        </level>
        <level label="D">
          <text>is unable to obtain or maintain employment in the foreseeable future due to compliance with criminal detainment, hospitalization, or a rehabilitation treatment plan.</text>
        </level>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>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.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>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.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>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:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>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</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly, subject to § 2–1257 of the State Government Article.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
