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Towson Child Support Lawyers

The Baltimore County child support lawyers at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC understand the anxiety caused by the financial stresses of raising children following a divorce or separation. Our experienced Maryland family law attorneys work with divorced and separated parents, as well as couples who have never been legally married but have children together, to protect the financial security of both the parents and their children.

Child Support in Maryland

Calculation of Child Support Obligations in Maryland

Both parents bear a financial responsibility to support their children within their economic means.  The Maryland Child Support Guidelines set forth a proportional formula based on numerous factors to determine the child support obligations of each parent. Maryland courts use different formulas depending on whether there is shared physical custody of the children or if there is primary physical custody given to one parent. Child support obligations are based on factors including the income of each parent, the amount and duration of alimony payments, work-related child care expenses, health insurance expenses, extraordinary medical expenses, the time each child spends overnight with each parent (in cases of shared physical custody) and the total amount of additional expenses such as those discussed below.

Expenses that Fall within the Child Support Obligation

Child support payments involve more than just the costs of food, shelter or clothing for the children. In determining the amount of child support owed by each parent, Maryland courts will consider all expenses which contribute to the health and wellbeing of the child. Parents face a multitude of financial obligations including:

  • Health care expenses (medications, doctor visits, hospital stays)
  • Insurance expenses
  • Education expenses (tutoring, tuition, school supplies, college expenses including room and board)
  • Transportation expenses
  • Day care expenses
  • Counseling and therapy fees
  • Recreation expenses (sports participation fees and equipment costs, dance lessons, drawing classes, music/voice lessons and instruments)

All of these expenses may fall within the child support obligation.

Unique Child Support Issues

Some family situations warrant unique child support considerations.  Families with special needs children may face additional financial obligations related to extraordinary medical expenses including costs of medical treatment, therapy and medication.  Other children display extraordinary talents in sports or in the arts such as dance or playing a musical instrument which may result in additional expenses including costs to travel to competitions or take special lessons.  Parents may request special exemptions from the Maryland Child Support Guidelines in these special cases.

Importance of Retaining an Experienced Towson Child Support Lawyer

Due to recent changes in the Maryland Child Support Guidelines, it is important for parents to retain an experienced family law attorney to help navigate the complexities of child support law. An experienced child support attorney is important:

  • To help with the preparation of a child support case

At Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC, our experienced Hunt Valley child support lawyers work with Maryland’s Child Support Enforcement Administration to obtain the most favorable child support arrangements for our clients.

Child support obligations can change over time.  Maryland courts will modify child support amounts when the financial circumstances of the parents/guardians change due to an altered employment status, relocation or other changes in circumstances (such as remarriage) which could affect the financial status of a parent (including monetary windfalls such as inheritances or lottery winnings).

  • To help with the enforcement of child support orders

Other circumstances may require the assistance of an experienced child support attorney when the enforcement of child support orders becomes an issue.  Failure to pay court mandated child support could lead to the garnishment of wages and other benefits (including Workers’ Compensation and unemployment benefits), nonrenewal of professional licenses, denial of passport applications, seizure of tax refunds, liens on personal property and even imprisonment. An experienced child support attorney can help parents file the proper petitions to obtain back due child support payments.

Towson Child Support Lawyers at Huesman, Jones & Miles Handle All Types of Child Support Issues

The experienced child support attorneys at Huesman, Jones & Miles, LLC in Hunt Valley, MD, work on behalf of the best interests of both parents and their children in all types of child support matters. Our dedicated Maryland family law lawyers can assist in the drafting, modifying and enforcement of child support agreements.  Call us today at 443-589-0150 to schedule your free confidential consultation with a qualified Baltimore child support lawyer or fill out an online inquiry form. Our offices are conveniently located to service clients throughout Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County and Howard County, including the areas of Baltimore, Towson, Essex, Pikesville, Hunt Valley, Columbia and Bel Air.

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