How Child Support Is Calculated for One Child in Maryland

Maryland calculates child support using a formula based on both parents' income, not a fixed dollar amount

Maryland does not have a set payment amount for one child. Instead, the state uses the Child Support Guidelines, a formula that takes both parents' gross monthly income, subtracts certain costs (like health insurance and childcare), and applies a percentage to determine the amount owed. The percentage for one child is 20% of the combined adjusted income of both parents.

The actual dollar amount depends entirely on how much both parents earn. A parent earning $2,000 per month and another earning $3,000 per month will have a different child support obligation than two parents earning $5,000 each, even though the combined income is the same. The court also considers who has custody and how much time each parent spends with the child.

If either parent's income is above $160,000 per year (as of 2024, though this figure may change), the court has discretion to explore the guideline percentage or set a different amount based on the child's actual needs and the parents' ability to pay.

Key Takeaways

• Maryland child support for one child equals 20% of the combined adjusted gross income of both parents, not a fixed monthly amount.
• Adjusted income means gross income minus health insurance premiums, childcare costs, and certain other deductions set by Maryland law.
• The parent with primary custody typically receives support; the parent with less custody typically pays.
• If combined income exceeds $160,000 per year, the court may deviate from the 20% guideline based on the child's needs and each parent's circumstances.

What counts as income for the child support calculation

Maryland includes most forms of income in the child support calculation. This covers wages and salary, self-employment income, rental income, Social Security benefits, unemployment benefits, workers' compensation, pension and retirement distributions, and bonuses or commissions. Income from investments and capital gains also counts.

Some income does not count. Child support received from another child, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and Temporary information for Needy Families (TANF) are excluded. If a parent is voluntarily unemployed or underemployed—meaning they could earn more but choose not to—the court may impute income, or assign an income level based on their earning capacity, rather than what they actually earn.

Both parents must report their income honestly on the financial statement they file with the court. If a parent's income changes significantly after the order is entered, either parent can ask the court to modify the amount.

How custody arrangement affects the payment amount

The parent with primary physical custody (the child lives with them more than half the time) receives child support from the other parent. If custody is split equally—50-50—Maryland uses a different calculation. The guideline percentage still applies to combined adjusted income, but the court divides the obligation based on each parent's share of income and adjusts for the equal custody arrangement.

If one parent has the child 60% of the time and the other 40%, the court factors that into the calculation as well. The parent earning more money typically pays more, but the custody split also matters. A higher-earning parent with primary custody may still owe support if the other parent's income is very low.

Overnight visitation counts toward custody time. The court looks at the actual schedule—school year, summer, holidays—to determine the percentage of time each parent has the child.

Deductions that reduce the income used in the calculation

Before the 20% guideline is applied, Maryland law allows certain deductions from gross income. Health insurance premiums paid by either parent for the child count as a deduction. Childcare costs directly related to allowing a parent to work—such as daycare, after-school programs, or babysitting—are also deducted.

Court-ordered support for other children from other relationships reduces the income available for the current child. If a parent is already paying child support for two other children, that amount comes out before calculating what they owe for the third child. Spousal support (alimony) paid under a court order is also deducted.

Taxes are not deducted separately; the calculation uses gross income. However, the court recognizes that taxes will be paid from the support amount, which is why the guideline percentage (20% for one child) is set lower than it would be if taxes were not a factor.

What happens if one parent does not have a steady income

If a parent is self-employed, has seasonal work, or income that varies month to month, Maryland courts average the income over a 12-month period. A parent who works construction in summer and has no income in winter would average their annual earnings across all 12 months. The court may ask for tax returns, profit-and-loss statements, or bank records to verify the average.

If a parent is unemployed and actively searching for work, the court may use their most recent income or impute income based on their education and work history. If a parent is disabled or retired, the court considers their actual circumstances. A parent receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) has that income counted; a parent on SSI does not.

If a parent refuses to work or deliberately reduces their income to avoid child support, the court can impute income based on what they are capable of earning. This is common when a parent quits a job or takes a lower-paying position after a child support case begins.

How to request a modification if circumstances change

Either parent can ask the court to change the child support amount if there has been a material change in circumstances. A material change usually means a change in income of at least 10% or a significant change in custody. If a parent loses their job, gets a substantial raise, or the custody arrangement changes, that qualifies.

To request a modification, file a motion with the court that issued the original order. You will need to provide updated financial statements showing current income and expenses. The court will recalculate using the same 20% guideline formula with the new numbers. If the new amount differs from the current order by a certain threshold (which varies), the court may grant the modification.

Child support orders do not automatically adjust when income changes. If a parent's income drops and they do not request a modification, they still owe the original amount. If they do not pay, the other parent can pursue enforcement through wage garnishment, tax refund intercept, or contempt of court proceedings.

Examples of how the calculation works

Suppose Parent A earns $3,000 per month gross and Parent B earns $2,000 per month gross. Combined adjusted income is $5,000 (assuming no deductions). Twenty percent of $5,000 is $1,000. If Parent A has primary custody, Parent B pays $1,000 per month. If Parent B has primary custody, Parent A pays $1,000 per month.

Now suppose Parent A earns $4,000 per month, Parent B earns $2,000 per month, and Parent A pays $300 per month in health insurance for the child. Combined gross income is $6,000. Subtract the $300 health insurance deduction: adjusted income is $5,700. Twenty percent of $5,700 is $1,140. The amount owed depends on who has custody.

If Parent A has primary custody and Parent B pays, Parent B owes $1,140 per month. If custody is 50-50, the calculation shifts. The court divides the $1,140 obligation based on each parent's share of the adjusted income. Parent A's share is $4,000 out of $6,000 (67%), and Parent B's share is $2,000 out of $6,000 (33%). Parent A's portion of the obligation is $764; Parent B's is $376. But because Parent A has the child half the time, the obligation is adjusted further, and Parent B typically pays less than $376.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Maryland have a minimum or maximum child support amount?

Maryland has no minimum amount set by law, but courts rarely order less than $50 per month. There is no maximum, but if combined income exceeds $160,000 per year, the court has discretion to deviate from the 20% guideline. The court considers the child's actual needs, the parents' ability to pay, and other factors when income is very high.

What if the paying parent loses their job?

The parent must file a motion to modify the child support order and provide proof of job loss and efforts to find new work. The court will not automatically reduce the amount. If the parent does not request a modification and stops paying, they can face enforcement action. Once a modification is granted, the new amount applies going forward, not retroactively to when the job was lost.

Does child support cover health insurance and childcare costs?

Health insurance and childcare are deducted from income before the 20% guideline is applied, which lowers the child support amount. However, the paying parent may also be ordered to maintain health insurance on the child and to pay a portion of childcare costs beyond what was deducted. This is separate from the base child support obligation.

Can child support be modified if the child's needs change?

A significant change in the child's needs—such as special education costs, medical expenses, or a disability—can be grounds for modification. However, the parent requesting the change must show that the need is new and substantial. Routine expenses like school supplies or activities are typically considered part of the base child support amount.

What happens if both parents have equal income?

If both parents earn the same amount and have equal custody, the child support obligation is split equally between them based on the 20% guideline. If one parent has primary custody, the other parent pays their share of the obligation. The exact amount depends on the custody split and any deductions.