Maryland Child Support Calculator

Estimate MD child support under Md. Code, FL §12-201. Uses adjusted actual income, the Maryland Guidelines table, shared physical custody adjustment for 35%+ overnights (128+ nights), and add-ons for health insurance and childcare.

Updated April 2026 Md. Code, Family Law §12-201 et seq. Private — runs in your browser

NCP Adjusted Actual Income

Monthly gross minus alimony paid

CP Adjusted Actual Income

Number of Children

NCP Alimony Paid to This Spouse

Reduces NCP adjusted actual income

CP Alimony Paid to This Spouse

Maryland Basic Child Support

$1,008/mo

Combined Adjusted Income$9,000/mo

MD Guidelines Base$1,649/mo

NCP Income Share61.1%

Maryland uses adjusted actual income under Md. Code, FL §12-201. Combined adjusted income determines the guideline amount, then each parent pays their proportional share.

Advanced Calculator

MD Guidelines overnights chart with 35% (128-night) threshold, shared vs. primary custody comparison table, add-on breakdown, and 10-year projection.

+ Open Advanced Calculator

MD FL §12-201 Inputs

NCP Adjusted Actual Income/mo

CP Adjusted Actual Income/mo

Children

NCP Annual Overnights

nights

MD Guidelines Result

$1,008/mo base

Guidelines Base Support$1,649/mo

NCP Income Share61.1%

Shared Custody Adj.Not applied

NCP Overnights/Year vs. Monthly Support

Health Insurance/mo

Work Childcare/mo

Total with Add-Ons

Base support: $1,008/mo

Health ins.: +$122/mo

Childcare: +$244/mo

Total: $1,374/mo

Professional Simulator

Full FL §12-201 worksheet with itemized income, alimony deductions, health insurance, childcare, extraordinary medical add-ons, MD state tax impact, retroactive support, what-if scenarios, and 20-year NPV projection.

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NCP Income — Total: $66,000/yr

W-2 / Salary

Self-Employment

Bonuses

Rental Income

Alimony Paid (this case)/mo

CP Income — Total: $42,000/yr

W-2 / Salary

Self-Employment

Alimony Paid (this case)/mo

Custody, Add-Ons & Retroactive

Children

NCP Annual Overnights

nights

Health Insurance/mo

Work Childcare/mo

Extraordinary Medical/mo

Retroactive Months

mos

MD FL §12-201 Professional Analysis

$1,374/mo

NCP After-Tax (incl. MD)

Gross: $66,000/yr

Federal: −$6,222

SE tax: −$848

MD state+county: −$5,115

After CS: $3,110/mo

Support Components

Base support: $1,008/mo

Health ins.: +$122/mo

Childcare: +$244/mo

Total: $1,374/mo

How Maryland Child Support Works

Maryland calculates child support under Md. Code, Family Law §12-201 et seq. using the Income Shares model. Both parents' adjusted actual incomes are combined to look up the basic child support obligation from the Maryland Guidelines. Each parent pays their proportional share.

Maryland Adjusted Actual Income

Maryland uses "adjusted actual income" — each parent's actual monthly income minus alimony paid to the other parent in this case, and minus child support actually paid for other children under an existing court order. This differs from some states because alimony paid to the other spouse in the same case reduces the income figure used for the guideline lookup.

Shared Physical Custody Adjustment

When the non-custodial parent has the children more than 35% of the overnights (approximately 128+ nights per year), Maryland applies a shared physical custody adjustment. Each parent's basic obligation is reduced by the percentage of time the child spends with the other parent, and the difference becomes the net transfer payment.

Add-Ons to Basic Support

Maryland adds the following proportionally to the basic support amount:

Health insurance premiums for the children
Work-related childcare costs
Extraordinary medical expenses

Adjusted Actual Income = Gross − Alimony Paid − Other CS Orders
Combined Adjusted → MD Guidelines → Basic Support
NCP Base = Basic Support × (NCP Adj. ÷ Combined Adj.)

Shared (>35% overnights):
NCP Pays = NCP Base × (1 − NCP time%)
CP Pays = CP Base × NCP time%
Transfer = NCP Pays − CP Pays (if positive)

Worked Example — Primary Custody

Dad (NCP): $5,500/mo adjusted actual. Mom: $3,500/mo. Two children. 60 overnights NCP.

Combined Adjusted Income$9,000/mo

MD Guidelines Base (2 children)~$1,385/mo

Dad's Income Share61%

Dad's Base Obligation$845/mo

+ Health Insurance & Childcare+$366/mo

Total Monthly Support$1,211/mo

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Maryland apply the shared physical custody adjustment? ▼

Maryland applies the shared physical custody adjustment when the non-custodial parent has the children more than 35% of overnights — approximately 128 or more nights per year. When this threshold is met, each parent's basic obligation is reduced proportionally by the time the child spends with the other parent. The difference between the two reduced amounts becomes the net transfer payment. This can significantly reduce support compared to the primary custody calculation.

What is "adjusted actual income" in Maryland? ▼

Maryland's adjusted actual income starts with a parent's actual monthly income from all sources, then subtracts alimony actually paid to the other parent in the same case, and child support actually paid for other children under existing court orders. It does not subtract taxes or health insurance for the paying parent. Courts may include wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, self-employment income, rental income, Social Security benefits, pension income, and other regular income sources.

Does Maryland have a cap on child support? ▼

Maryland's Guidelines table extends up to $15,000 per month in combined adjusted actual income. For incomes above this level, courts have discretion and are not bound by the guidelines, though they use the guidelines as a starting reference. Courts consider the child's needs, each parent's ability to pay, and what the child's lifestyle would have been if the parents had remained together. Maryland does not have a statutory cap that cuts off support at a specific percentage.

How can Maryland child support be modified? ▼

Under Md. Code, FL §12-202, Maryland child support may be modified when there is a material change in circumstances. A change is typically material if it would result in a change of 25% or more in the support amount, or if either parent's income has changed significantly. Changes in custody arrangements, children's healthcare costs, or childcare expenses can also qualify. Either parent may file a motion to modify. The court uses current incomes and the current guidelines table.

How long does Maryland child support last? ▼

Maryland child support typically continues until the child turns 18. However, if the child is still enrolled in secondary school at age 18, support continues until the child graduates or turns 19, whichever comes first. Courts may order support beyond 18 for a child with a disability who is unable to support themselves. Unlike some states, Maryland does not generally require post-secondary education support, though parents may agree to it voluntarily.

Official Sources & Legal References

When to Consult a Maryland Family Law Attorney

Consult an attorney if your case involves: combined income above $15,000/month (above-guideline discretion), imputed income disputes for self-employed or voluntarily unemployed parents, shared custody threshold disputes near the 35% (128-night) line, or modification based on a material change of 25%+ in the support amount.