Stereotypes about traditional family roles can create misconceptions about a father’s right to child support. For centuries men were seen as the bread winners while women were the caregivers in the family who stayed home to take care of the children. When a marriage with children comes to an end, this outdated model can be very costly for men if they do not realize they are eligible for child support.
More men than ever are choosing to stay home and be with their children. Since 1989, the number of stay-at-home dads has nearly doubled, but nearly half of those dads are also living in poverty. A man has just as much legal right as a woman to ask for child support as part of a divorce settlement.
Child Support in Maryland
In Maryland, both parents are required to provide financial support for their children, based on their ability to do so. Maryland has guidelines for calculating support based on how much each parent earns as gross income. When parents separate or divorce, the non-custodial parent or the one with whom the child does not reside, must pay child support to the custodial parent. If the parents cannot agree between themselves on the amount of child support to be paid, then a judge will decide the matter in court.
Child support orders can vary greatly depending on the needs of the children and the situation of the parents. They can specify who pays how much for day care or after school programs, private school expenses, extracurricular activities, and medical and dental expenses of the children.
A court ordered child support arrangement is tailored to the best interests of the child and can be modified as needed. For example, if there is a material change to a parent’s financial situation, the child support payment may be adjusted. Likewise, if the child resides with the non-custodial parent for at least 35 percent of the time, the amount of support paid by the non-custodial parent may be reduced.
Fathers Requesting Child Support
Any father seeking to obtain a child support order will need the contact information of the mother as well as the last known address and place of employment. You will likely also need to provide your own financial information and information about your expenses for child rearing. In some cases, you will also need a birth certificate and proof of paternity.
Enforcing Child Support Orders
When a parent refuses to pay court-ordered child support, there are a number of ways the court can intervene, including:
- Holding the offender in contempt of court
- Garnishing wages
- Reporting the debt to credit bureaus
- Suspending the offender’s driver’s license
- Intercepting tax refunds
Fathers have equal rights to child support and should not feel ashamed or hesitate to ask for it. A qualified fathers’ rights attorney can assist in obtaining the financial assistance needed to provide for a child’s upbringing.
Towson Fathers’ Rights Divorce Lawyers at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC Help Fathers Defend Their Rights to Child Support
For all your family law matters, including a father’s right to custody or child support, contact an experienced Towson divorce lawyer at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC. Our compassionate attorneys know how stressful a divorce can be and will support you in achieving your legal goals as quickly and reasonably as possible. Contact us online or call 443-589-0150 today to schedule a free and confidential consultation about your case.
With offices in Towson and Hunt Valley, we provide experienced representation for clients throughout Maryland. Areas we serve include Baltimore, Baltimore County, Bel Air, Bentley Springs, Columbia, Freeland, Hereford, Hampton, Westminster, Essex, Monkton, Sparks Glencoe, Parkton, Phoenix, Pikesville, White Hall, Carroll County, Harford County, and Howard County.
