Let’s go over how shared custody can affect child support payments.
Shared child custody often leads to questions about child support payments. In Maryland, each parent is legally obligated to support their children despite the custody arrangement. That means you and your ex must contribute to the cost of your child’s upbringing. You might have to pay child support even if you have 50/50 custody.
The Maryland courts determines child support payments. In cases of shared physical custody, the calculation considers the time each parent spends with their kids while living in the same home. Let’s go over how shared custody can affect child support payments.
About Child Custody in Maryland
When one parent has sole physical custody, they can calculate their child support obligation by inputting the number of children they share and their incomes into a formula that calculates each parent’s payment. A percentage of each parent’s support is assigned depending on their income.
For example, if one parent makes $8,000 a month and has sole custody, and the non-custodial earns $2,000 per month, they would be responsible for 80 percent of the child support amount and assumed to pay this directly for the children’s benefit. The other parent’s support obligation would be 20 percent of the amount and would be paid to the custodial parent.
How Income is Determined
Each parent’s actual income includes all pretax income, including:
- Wages
- Self-employment earnings
- Investment income
- Commissions
- Disability payments
- Military pay
Self-employed parents can deduct any necessary business expenses from gross receipts to determine their actual income. You can also deduct alimony and child support payments from your adjusted income. The court might increase a parent’s child support payment if it believes the parent purposefully takes a lower-paying job than they’re qualified for or chooses not to seek employment.
How do Courts Adjust for Additional Expenses?
Limited payment adjustments are available after determining your basic support obligations. Medical expenses, health insurance premiums, and other childcare expenses can be included in the child support calculations so each parent equally shares in the costs. A judge can also adjust the amount of child support to include transportation costs or certain education expenses.
The Right Lawyer Can Make All the Difference
Hiring a lawyer should be the first thing you do when encountering any legal matter, not a last resort. Whether you’re thinking about a separation or divorce or have been charged with a crime, been injured in an accident, or your civil rights have been violated, you need to first know your rights. Contact Mike Mastracci today at 614 Edmondson Ave Catonsville, MD 21228. With satellite offices in Baltimore County, Ocean City, Snow Hill, and Salisbury, Maryland. (410) 869-3400 fax: (302) 988-2313 If responding by regular mail, send to 30107 Tammy Court Selbyville, DE 19975, and check us out on Facebook.