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Maryland child support: the schedule, the 92-overnight rule, and a worked example

Maryland splits a statutory support amount between both parents by income, then switches to a shared custody formula once each parent has the children at least 92 nights a year. The schedule in force since July 2022 runs to $30,000 of combined monthly income.

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At a glance

ModelIncome shares on combined adjusted actual (gross) income, Md. Code, Family Law 12-204
ScheduleIn effect since July 1, 2022; $50 steps up to $30,000 combined a month, court discretion above that
Shared custodyAt least 92 overnights a year with each parent (more than 25%): Worksheet B, 1.5x cross-credit
Extraordinary medicalUninsured costs above $250 per child per year, split by income
Support endsAge 18, or 19 if still enrolled in high school
ModificationMaterial change of circumstance; only back to the date the motion was filed
AgencyChild Support Administration, Maryland Department of Human Services

How Maryland calculates child support

Maryland's starting point is each parent's actual income, which means income from any source before taxes. From that, the law subtracts child support the parent actually pays for other children, alimony the parent actually pays, and an allowance for other children living in the parent's home. The result is adjusted actual income.

The two adjusted incomes are added and looked up in the schedule written into the statute itself, Family Law 12-204(e). The schedule climbs in $50 steps, and the statute explains how to handle an income that falls between two steps. Each parent owes a share of the schedule amount in proportion to adjusted income, plus the same share of child care, the children's health insurance, and extraordinary medical costs.

Courts use Worksheet A (form CC-DR-034) for primary custody and Worksheet B (CC-DR-035) for shared custody. When combined income is above $30,000 a month, the judge sets support in their discretion.

Worked example: Maryland

  1. Parent A has $6,000 a month in adjusted actual income and Parent B has $4,000, for $10,000 combined.
  2. Maryland's schedule lists $1,881 a month for two children at $10,000. For comparison, the top row at $30,000 lists $4,596 for two children.
  3. Parent A has 60% of the combined income, so Parent A's share is $1,129 and Parent B's share is $752.
  4. With the children living primarily with Parent B (Worksheet A), Parent A pays $1,129 a month, about $13,548 a year, before child care, insurance or extraordinary medical costs are added.

This is an estimate, not legal advice. Figures are rounded to the dollar and leave out the insurance, childcare, and other adjustments your case may have. Try your own numbers in CoreParent's calculator, then confirm with the state's official calculator.

Shared custody in Maryland: 92 overnights and the step-down

Shared physical custody starts when each parent keeps the children overnight for more than 25% of the year, at least 92 overnights. Worksheet B multiplies the schedule amount by 1.5, gives each parent an income share of that larger figure, and multiplies each share by the other parent's percentage of time. The parent who owes more pays the difference, and the result can never exceed what the same parent would pay under primary custody.

To soften the jump at 92 nights, the parent with 92 to 109 overnights has their theoretical obligation increased: 10% at 92 to 94 nights, 8% at 95 to 98, 6% at 99 to 102, 4% at 103 to 105, and 2% at 106 to 109. In the example, if Parent A has 104 overnights (the 4% band), Parent A pays about $937 a month instead of $1,129. At exactly equal time the payment falls to about $282.

Child care, health insurance and medical costs

Actual child care costs incurred because of either parent's job or job search are added to the basic obligation and divided by income, measured by the family's actual costs or the level needed for quality licensed care. The children's health insurance premium is added the same way. Extraordinary medical expenses, meaning uninsured treatment costs above $250 in a calendar year, are also added and split by income.

Low income and the self-support reserve

Maryland's schedule builds in a self-support reserve so the paying parent keeps at least 110% of the 2019 federal poverty level for one person after support and taxes. The adjusted cells are marked in the statute. At the bottom row, combined income up to $1,200 a month, the schedule lists $50 for one child, $55 for two and $57 for three.

Other children and prior orders

Support a parent actually pays under an earlier obligation comes off that parent's income. For each other child living in the parent's home more than 92 nights a year, the parent gets an allowance equal to 75% of the schedule amount for that child figured on the parent's income alone.

When support ends and how to change it

The age of majority in Maryland is 18. A child who is 18 and still enrolled in secondary school keeps receiving support until graduating or leaving school, marrying, becoming emancipated, or turning 19, whichever comes first.

A court can modify support on a showing of a material change of circumstance, but not retroactively to before the date the motion was filed, so file promptly. A revision of the guidelines by itself is not a material change.

Collection and enforcement

The Child Support Administration of the Maryland Department of Human Services opens cases, establishes and enforces orders, and offers an online estimate tool that the Maryland courts link to from their child support help page.

Documents you will need

Maryland child support FAQ

What is the Maryland child support calculator for 2026?

The Child Support Administration's online estimator applies the schedule that took effect July 1, 2022, which is still the schedule in Family Law 12-204(e) in 2026. The courts' child support help page links to it.

How is child support calculated in Maryland?

Add both parents' adjusted actual incomes, find the basic obligation in the statutory schedule for that income and number of children, add child care, health insurance and extraordinary medical costs, and divide the total by each parent's share of income. Worksheet B applies with 92 or more overnights each.

How much is child support for 2 kids in Maryland?

At $10,000 combined monthly income the schedule amount for two children is $1,881. A parent with 60% of that income and less than 92 overnights would owe about $1,129 a month before add-ons.

Does 50/50 custody mean no child support in Maryland?

Usually not. With equal time the shared custody formula still produces a payment from the higher earner unless incomes are equal. In our example with a 60/40 income split, equal time leaves about $282 a month.

Does Maryland child support stop at 18?

It stops at 18 unless the child is still enrolled in high school, in which case it continues until graduation or age 19, whichever comes first.

Next steps

Sources

Verified against these official sources in October 2026:

Child support in every other state

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This is general educational information, not legal advice, and official figures change. Last verified: October 2026. Consult a licensed family-law attorney in Maryland.