Child support can be crucial to help ensure a child’s basic needs are met after parents have divorced or separated. While every child’s needs are unique, a common question asked by both custodial and non-custodial parents is, “how is child support calculated in Maryland?” Child support is based on specific mathematical guidelines that help ensure a child receives the same amount of financial support from each parent that they would have if they were still living in the same household.

Key Takeaways

• Child support in Maryland is calculated using the “income shares model,” which divides the total support obligation proportionally between parents based on their income.
• The “income shares model” considers specific factors, including the parents’ combined gross incomes, the number of children, work-related childcare, health insurance premiums, and parenting time.
• Courts may deviate from the standard child support guidelines if applying them would be “unjust and inappropriate,” such as in cases involving high-net-worth families or if one parent bears a significantly higher share of costs.

What is Child Support?

Child support is a payment made by one parent to the other parent to help cover the costs of raising a child. It is meant to ensure that both parents contribute financially to the child’s upbringing. While basic child support covers food, clothing, healthcare, and shelter for the child, courts can also order support for education, medical costs, childcare, and other child-related expenses. Unless the child is emancipated, child support obligations end when a child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever comes first, but not later than age 19 in Maryland.

What Factors Does a Court Consider in Calculating Child Support?

Child support is calculated in Maryland using the “income shares model.” This model strives to ensure the child receives the same amount of financial resources when parents live apart as they would if the parents still resided together in the same home. The total child support obligation is then divided proportionally to each parent based on their income. Notably, as of January 2026, parents who are self-employed or have irregular income will have their income averaged over a certain period of time, rather than have the court rely on a single high or low income month.

Specifically, the income shares model in how child support is calculated considers the following:

• The parents’ combined gross incomes
• The number of children
• Work-related childcare
• Health insurance premiums
• The number of overnights
• Shared parenting time

Importantly, a new law went into effect in October 2025 that changes how a parent’s financial responsibilities are factored into the child support guidelines when they have children in more than one household. The “multifamily adjustment” allows for a 75% deduction for children who live in the parent’s home, even if there is no court order that requires support for them.

What is Imputed Income?

If a parent voluntarily chooses to impoverish themselves in an attempt to avoid paying child support, the court can impute income. This means that the court would act as if the parent has an income when determining child support payments. To determine whether income should be imputed and how much, the court would look at several factors, including:

• The parent’s age and physical condition
• Behavioral condition
• Education level and special training or skills
• Employment and earnings history
• Record of efforts to obtain and retain employment
• Criminal history and any barriers to employment
• Employment opportunities in the community
• The parent’s assets and actual income

Additionally, the court may consider any other factors that impact their ability to obtain funds to satisfy their child support obligation. Income is generally not imputed when a parent has a legitimate reason for a change in their income or earning capacity, such as in situations involving involuntary unemployment or disability.

How is Child Support Calculated in High-Income Families?

The guidelines for how child support is calculated are typically mandatory for a court to follow below a certain amount of combined income (currently $30,000 per month). However, in certain situations, a judge may deviate from the Maryland guidelines in how child support is calculated if applying them would be “unjust and inappropriate.” This is commonly done with child support in high-net-worth families when the parents’ combined income exceeds the amount specified in the guidelines. As of October 2025, the income shares model applies to families with a combined annual income of $360,000. For parents who make a combined amount above this threshold, the court may use its discretion to set the amount of support.

Are There Other Reasons a Court Would Deviate From the Guidelines?

A Maryland court may also deviate from the child support guidelines in cases where one parent bears a higher share of expenses, regardless of the custody arrangement or in situations involving extraordinary expenses. For instance, if there are significant uncovered medical expenses, high health insurance premiums, costs for special needs, or private school expenses, or costs to travel to spend time with the child or children, a court may deem that a deviation is in the child’s best interests.

If the judge determines that a deviation is warranted, they must provide written findings that specify the amount of support that would have been ordered under the standard guidelines and the reasons why the guidelines are unjust or inappropriate.