Columbia, MD Child Support Attorney

Under Maryland law, both parents must financially support their child, regardless of marital status. While child support helps to ensure that the noncustodial parent contributes financially to their child’s well-being, it’s not uncommon for issues to arise when it comes to making these payments or receiving them. If you are facing difficulty paying, receiving, or establishing an initial support amount, it’s essential to have a skillful child support attorney by your side who can protect your rights and ensure the best interests of your child are met.

Whether you are divorcing or have never been married to your child’s other parent and need to establish child support, the Law Office of Shelly M. Ingram can assist you with this important financial matter. We also provide skillful counsel for enforcing and modifying existing child support orders. Our team of family law attorneys is experienced litigators and negotiators who will work to resolve your Maryland child support matter as amicably as possible, and be prepared to forcefully advocate on behalf of you and your child when needed.

Our goal, like yours, is to make sure your child receives the support he or she deserves.

What is Child Support?

As a parent, you do everything in your power to make sure your child is properly provided for, and child support payments can be crucial to ensure the needs of your child are met. Specifically, child support is a payment made from the noncustodial parent to the custodial parent after a divorce or separation to help provide for the various expenses associated with raising a child, including:

  • Food costs
  • Housing costs
  • Clothing costs
  • Health insurance coverage
  • Medical expenses
  • Educational expenses
  • Travel expenses

In most cases, child support in Maryland is determined by the child support guidelines, which are written into Maryland law. The guidelines are helpful in making sure that you and your child’s other parent have enough money to meet your own needs and provide for your children when they are with you. To determine the amount of child support, a judge will assess the gross income of both parents, the number of children, and the amount of time the child spends with each parent.

At the Law Office of Shelly M. Ingram, our child support attorney team will work with you to ensure that support is calculated correctly. Under some circumstances, the court may deviate from the guidelines — such as in cases where a child has special needs. We will present the court with the necessary information to determine an appropriate child support amount that will meet your child’s needs.

Can You Modify Child Support?

While a child support order is binding upon both parents, it isn’t always set in stone. Maryland law recognizes that financial and family circumstances can change. If there is a material change in circumstances regarding either parent’s income, the child’s needs, or custody, a modification may be necessary. Specifically, situations that may warrant a child support modification in Maryland can include:

  • A substantial increase or decrease in either parent’s income — In the event a parent’s income changes due to job loss, a promotion, or a pay increase, the court may grant an upward or downward modification.
  • Changes in the child’s needs — If a child develops a medical condition or their educational needs change, a modification to the existing child support order may be necessary.
  • Changes in living expenses — A significant change in living expenses, such as housing, healthcare, or childcare costs may be considered a material change in circumstances that justifies modifying a child support order.
  • A change in custody — If the custody arrangement changes, a child support modification may be needed to reflect the new financial responsibilities of each parent.

At the Law Office of Shelly M. Ingram, our child support attorneys are skilled in handling modification matters. We will evaluate your case to determine whether a modification is appropriate and advocate on your behalf whether you are the party requesting a modification or contesting it.

Can You Resolve Child Support Matters Outside of Court?

Parents don’t always need to resolve child support matters in litigation. Mediation, negotiation, and the collaborative process can allow parents to settle their disputes amicably and cost-effectively outside of the courtroom. At the Law Office of Shelly M. Ingram, our attorneys are not only experienced litigators, but we are also adept at settling cases in mediation, negotiation and using the collaborative process. We can help you determine whether a form of alternative dispute resolution is right for your case and assist you with reaching a compromise that works for your family.

Contact an Experienced Maryland Child Support Attorney

No matter what the particulars of your child support matter are, the Law Office of Shelly M. Ingram offers the legal skill and experience necessary to help you reach a resolution. Call us at (301) 658-7354 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our Fulton, Maryland child support attorney team. We look forward to working with you.