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Our family law lawyer Frederick, MD offers knows that going through a divorce or other family law dispute is difficult — emotionally, logistically, and financially. While nothing can completely ease these burdens, the attorney you choose can make a big difference in the process and outcome of your case.
At Peeples Law Group, we strive to make the process and outcome as positive as possible for our clients and their children. We take the time to understand your goals and strategize to help you meet them with maximum efficiency and minimal stress.
Our firm offers comprehensive, experienced, and compassionate representation to family law clients throughout Maryland, including advice and representation related to:
Our Help With Child Support
Our family law lawyer Frederick, Maryland trusts knows that when you are working with a court to determine child support, you probably want to understand more about the basics of child support. When one parent has custody of the children, how can the other parent participate? What can they do to give their children what they need? Child support is one way they can do this. Maryland has a specific way that it will help determine how much child support a parent pays every month. If you are facing the possibility of child support payments and would like to learn more and have the help of an attorney, please call Peeples Law Group now.
How does a Maryland court determine what you pay in child support?
When it comes to child support payments, Maryland courts use what is known as an “income shares” model. This model essentially states that if the parents and children were a whole family unit living together, the parent paying child support should pay what they would have been paying to take care of their child. The court will look at both parents’ incomes and determine (before tax) what a parent will owe. The court will take many things into account (including school costs and whether the children have special needs) when making child support decisions.
I’m worried the other parent will not work so that they will not have to pay child support. What can I do in this situation?
Courts do not take these kinds of decisions lightly and still require that a parent pays child support unless they are physically or mentally incapable of working. If you can prove to a court that the other parent voluntarily quit his or her job so that they would not be required to pay child support, you should speak with your lawyer.
How long will I be required to pay child support?
A Maryland court will require that you pay child support until your child either graduates from high school or until they are 18.
How can child support change once a court has already put the rules in place?
It is almost always possible to make changes or modifications to child support. If you wish to show that you cannot pay as much child support as you have been paying anymore, you must prove that you lost your job or got a pay decrease. If you wish to show that the other parent paying child support has a significantly higher income, you will need to prove that they can pay for larger portions of child support.
Seeking What’s Best For Families With An Adaptable Approach
Each divorce, child support, and child custody case is unique and must be treated as such. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. But there are some commonalities and important guidelines that serve as a good starting point.
As just one example, mediation/negotiation tends to be the best first strategy in most family law cases. When it is possible, a negotiated or mediated agreement will usually be faster, less expensive, and less stressful than a litigated divorce or custody dispute. It will also keep the children from being put in the middle of parental conflict.
That being said, negotiation takes two willing parties, and you have no control over whether your spouse will agree to participate in good faith. If litigation becomes necessary or is obviously necessary from the beginning, we will not hesitate to take your case to court and aggressively advocate on behalf of you and your children.
Peeples Law Group is based in Frederick and serves clients throughout the state of Maryland. To schedule your initial consultation with a family law lawyer in Frederick, MD who really listens, call us at 301-494-1300 or send us an email.
“I hired Peeples Law for my car accident. From the moment I talked to Ms. Peeples, I felt like she actually cared about me and the outcome. She also explained the legal process to me because I didn’t know what to expect. Luckily, we never had to file a lawsuit because she was able to get a great settlement for my injuries. From beginning to end, she was fair, easy to talk to, and I felt like she always had my best interests at heart. I highly recommend.”
Alexandra G.
