Understanding How Child Support is Calculated in Maryland

Maryland is one of many states that has set guidelines for how child support is awarded. The Child Support Guidelines are designed to help ensure equity and fairness and make sure that children have the financial support that they need to thrive. When you are potentially going to be paying or awarded child support, it’s important that you understand how the payment is calculated.

What Information Do You Need to Provide?

The court will need to see some documents from you before deciding what payments are appropriate for child support. These documents include:

• The actual monthly income of each parent, which includes things like wages, Social Security benefits, alimony, bonuses, workers’ compensation, and other income
• The adjusted actual income of each parent, which is the actual income minus any other child support that the parent is currently paying for another child and any alimony that they are responsible for
• Health insurance costs
• Work-related childcare costs, including programs like before and after care and daycare
• Financial statement forms
• Any other requested information

What If a Parent Tries to Avoid Paying Child Support?

Sadly, some parents think that they can avoid paying child support for their children by intentionally not making enough money to pay it. This is known as voluntary impoverishment, and the court takes it very seriously. If the judge determines that a spouse is voluntarily impoverishing themselves, they can disregard the lack of income and treat the parent as if they do have income when deciding how large the child support payment will be.

How Is Child Support Calculated?

Because Maryland uses established standards, you can get an idea of what your child support payment will be by using their official calculator. When the judge hears your case, they will:

• Determine and confirm your actual income
• Confirm your adjusted actual income
• Add up your adjusted actual income and use it with the Child Support Guidelines to figure out the basic child support obligation
• Factor in any other expenses that have been disclosed, like healthcare costs or the cost of daycare
• Generate the child support obligation for the non-custodial parent to pay

In general, it is very challenging to ask the court to consider another amount for child support, and working with an attorney is essential.

You Need Representation for Your Case from The Law Office of Elizabeth Anu Lawrence

If you are worried about the outcome of your case or you are looking to receive child support, choose an experienced Maryland Trusted law Firm the Law Office of Elizabeth Anu Lawrence to give you the help you need.  Please give us a call at 443.352.3201. Skype and telephone consultations are both available to clients.

How Could a DUI Conviction Affect Your Future?

Being charged with a DUI is serious, but being convicted of one can have permanent consequences for your career, your driving privileges, and many other aspects of your life. Unlike some other driving-related charges that might lead to a temporary license suspension or a few points on your license, a DUI conviction can interfere with your day-to-day life in a much more serious way. How could a conviction impact your future? 

Employment

Maryland is an “at will” state for employment, which means that you can be hired or fired for virtually any reason (other than select protected ones) or without cause at all. Depending on where you work and what your specific contract states, your job might also have the right to immediate termination in the event that you are convicted of any crime or specific crimes. If you apply for jobs in the future that require a background check, you should also expect your DUI conviction to show on your record.

Insurance

After your DUI conviction, you might find it much more challenging to find car insurance or keep your premium low. In some cases, insurance companies elect to cancel the policy entirely based on the driver’s complete driving record. In other cases, you can expect your premium to increase a great deal, as much as twice or triple what you are paying now.

Ignition Interlock Program

The state of Maryland requires drivers with a DUI conviction to participate in a program known as the ignition interlock program. As part of your participation, an ignition interlock device will be installed in your vehicle. This device measures your breath for alcohol content. If your breath contains a level of alcohol higher than that which the device allows, you will not be able to start the vehicle at all. Every time you get in the car, you must blow into this device.

License Loss

There are a variety of consequences that you can face for a DUI conviction, and Maryland has harsher consequences for those with multiple convictions. Even if it is your first time being convicted, you might lose your license for a period of up to two years in accordance with state regulations. For subsequent offenses, you can expect to lose the privilege of driving in the state even longer or permanently.

Learn More About the Aftermath of a DUI Conviction from The Law Office of Elizabeth Anu Lawrence Article_Elawrencelaw.com PR - www.elawrencelaw.com -

If you are concerned about your DUI charges and the potential consequences of a DUI conviction in Maryland, choose an experienced firm like the Law Office of Elizabeth Anu Lawrence to give you the help you need.  Please give us a call at 443.352.3201. Skype and telephone consultation are both available to clients.

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