Why You Need a Lawyer for Child Support in Maryland
Are you looking for an experienced lawyer for child support in Maryland? Whether you need help understanding child support laws, drafting a child support agreement, modifying a current agreement in light of recent events, or ensuring payments are collected, the attorneys at Houlon, Berman, Finci & Levenstein, LLC will aggressively advocate on behalf of your best interests as well as those of your children.
Maryland regulations adopted in 2010 have made important changes to child support guidelines. In order to ensure that your claim is addressed accurately and effectively, it is even more important to have an experienced lawyer by your side as your complete your child support application.
Our Maryland child support lawyers can help you navigate the complexities of your case, from filing for child support to ensuring collection of payment. If you are ready to speak with one of our experienced family law attorneys, give us a call today. To learn more about child custody, click here.
How Child Support Payments are Calculated in Maryland
Calculating child support payments can be a challenging task. Maryland has strict child support guidelines derived from a formula based on the proportion of each parent’s income, custody agreements, any special needs of the children and other complex factors.
Our family law attorneys have decades of experience arranging comprehensive child support plans that work effectively for all parties involved. Our top child support lawyers will not only help you understand which factors apply to your situation, but will also ensure that your children’s rights, as well as your own, are well-represented and protected. We understand the importance of securing consistent child support payments and will provide the assistance you need to achieve a favorable result.
Modification of Child Support Payments
Maryland child support guidelines allow for child support payments to be modified if accompanied by proof of a material change in circumstances.
Examples of these changes include:
- Job loss or promotion
- Medical situations
- Remarriage
- Moving
- New custody agreements
However, there are additional components that must be considered when modifying payments. Click here to visit our page on modification of child support payments.
Maryland Child Support Enforcement
Maryland’s Child Support Enforcement Administration (CSEA) works with parents to simplify the process of making and receiving child support payments. If an agreement is reached between the parties, it is this office’s responsibility to ensure that payments are made according to the terms of the agreement. If the parties are unable to reach an agreement, CSEA will file for child support on behalf of the requesting party in order to obtain a child support court order.
The office not only assists with enforcing child support, but also with payment collection. The CSEA can help locate absent parents so that a support agreement can be reached, as well as obtain court orders to establish such an agreement.
Our child support lawyers understand how the CSEA operates and can ensure proceedings move smoothly.
The Biggest Mistake You Can Make
When it comes to modification of child support agreements, the biggest mistake that parties can make is to depend on oral agreements in lieu of official modification agreements.
It doesn’t matter if you’ve lost your job and agreed on new child support payments with the other party; if it isn’t established in writing, you may be held responsible for missed payments if you are taken to court. In Maryland, a missed payment can lead to a warrant for your arrest and imprisonment.
This is why it’s important to seek legal counsel from a knowledgeable family law attorney to ensure that child support modifications are not only in writing, but also captured accurately and represented by a court order.
Child Support and Visitation
In many cases, when there are issues with child support, there are also challenges with child visitation. To learn more about child visitation options in Maryland and how our family law attorneys can help, visit our child visitation agreements page.
Contact Houlon Berman: Experienced Child Support Lawyers in Maryland
If you need to speak with a child support attorney regarding regulations in Maryland or DC, contact Houlon Berman today to schedule your consultation. We’ll discuss your case and answer any child support questions you may have.
For over 40 years the family law attorneys of Houlon, Berman, Finci & Levenstein, LLC have been advocating on behalf of the best interests of children in Maryland, including Bethesda, Rockville, Potomac and Washington, DC.
Houlon, Berman, Finci & Levenstein, LLC is proud to hold a Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™certification of AV®.
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