Baltimore Child Support Lawyers
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.
Protecting Your Interests in Child Support Cases
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 Maryland 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.
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.
Ensuring Accurate Support for Your Children
Maryland utilizes specific guidelines to calculate child support, primarily considering both parents' incomes and the number of overnight stays a child has with each parent. Our Baltimore law firm meticulously analyzes these factors, including health insurance costs, childcare expenses, and extraordinary medical needs, to ensure accurate calculations. We are committed to achieving a fair financial outcome that benefits your children.
What Factors Are Included in Support Calculations?
- Gross Income: This includes wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, pensions, social security benefits, and sometimes even in-kind payments.
- Number of Children: The more children, the higher the basic support obligation.
- Childcare Expenses: Work-related childcare costs are factored in.
- Health Insurance: The cost of health insurance premiums for the children.
- Extraordinary Medical Expenses: Unreimbursed medical expenses exceeding a certain amount per child per year.
- Overnights: The number of overnights each parent has with the children significantly impacts the calculation, especially in shared custody arrangements (over 35% of overnights).
- Other support/alimony: Pre-existing child support orders for other children or alimony payments can also adjust income.
Our Professional Partnership for Your Family
Our law firm approaches each child support case with a high level of professionalism and a steadfast commitment to our clients. We strive for resolutions that secure your children's financial stability while protecting your parental rights. Our family law team's years of experience in the local courts enable us to provide full-service legal support.
Your Quick Guide to Child Support
Yes, both parents have a legal duty to support their children based on their ability to provide that support. Parents generally cannot waive child support in Maryland, as it's considered a right of the child.
Get a Client-Centered, Knowledgeable Child Support Lawyer
The Law Office of Hasson D. Barnes, LLC is your dedicated partner for all child support matters in Baltimore, Maryland. We bring professionalism, experience, and a tenacious commitment to securing favorable outcomes for your family's financial future and peace of mind.
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1330 Smith Ave #200 Baltimore, MD 21209
