MD Child Support Laws

[maxima87]

I am not quite sure the law. If the non-custodial makes (and these are just random numbers) 35K, but has previous child support obligations, they deduct the amount he is ordered to pay from his income before figuring out current support, say to 30k. The States Attorneys Office says that is his prior 'fatherly' obligation. If the custodial makes 35k and has a previous child, she does not get a monetary deduction from her annual salary before figuring support for her prior 'motherly' obligations. Does anyone know why this is? It seems to me that the MD state law favors the non-custodial parent. All the SAO can say is that it is the law. I am trying to see what I am missing here...

[LusbyMom (Premo)]

Originally Posted by maxima87

I am not quite sure the law. If the non-custodial makes (and these are just random numbers) 35K, but has previous child support obligations, they deduct the amount he is ordered to pay from his income before figuring out current support, say to 30k. The States Attorneys Office says that is his prior 'fatherly' obligation. If the custodial makes 35k and has a previous child, she does not get a monetary deduction from her annual salary before figuring support for her prior 'motherly' obligations. Does anyone know why this is? It seems to me that the MD state law favors the non-custodial parent. All the SAO can say is that it is the law. I am trying to see what I am missing here...

MD Child Support laws are a JOKE.

[vraiblonde]

Originally Posted by maxima87

I am not quite sure the law. If the non-custodial makes (and these are just random numbers) 35K, but has previous child support obligations, they deduct the amount he is ordered to pay from his income before figuring out current support, say to 30k. The States Attorneys Office says that is his prior 'fatherly' obligation. If the custodial makes 35k and has a previous child, she does not get a monetary deduction from her annual salary before figuring support for her prior 'motherly' obligations. Does anyone know why this is? It seems to me that the MD state law favors the non-custodial parent. All the SAO can say is that it is the law. I am trying to see what I am missing here...

Because the father is obligated to only pay for *his* child(ren). If you have a child from a previous relationship, it's the obligation of *that* child's father to pay.

[Cowgirl]

So the mother and father have one child together, and they each have a child from a different relationship?

If that's the case, wouldn't the father of the mother's other child share the financial burden of that child?

[maxima87]

Originally Posted by vraiblonde

Because the father is obligated to only pay for *his* child(ren). If you have a child from a previous relationship, it's the obligation of *that* child's father to pay.

You missed the point. No one is asking the him to pay for the other child, that was never said. But, if he gets a deduction for his other 'fatherly' obligations, why wouldn't the mother get one for her other 'motherly' obligations.

[maxima87]

Originally Posted by Cowgirl

So the mother and father have one child together, and they each have a child from a different relationship?

If that's the case, wouldn't the father of the mother's other child share the financial burden of that child?

Yes and yes.

According to the child support worksheet, both parents are to support the child of that union. But, why would he get a deduction for taking care of his other kids, but she wouldn't get one for taking care of her other kid?

[maxima87]

Originally Posted by LusbyMom

MD Child Support laws are a JOKE.

Yup

[jwwb2000]

Don't even get me started on this subject.

[vraiblonde]

Originally Posted by maxima87

You missed the point. No one is asking the him to pay for the other child, that was never said. But, if he gets a deduction for his other 'fatherly' obligations, why wouldn't the mother get one for her other 'motherly' obligations.

I didn't miss the point.

You are custodial for both children, correct? Therefore you *receive* two sources of child support.

He has another child, and is *paying* two supports.

It makes perfect sense to me.

[Cowgirl]

Originally Posted by maxima87

But, why would he get a deduction for taking care of his other kids, but she wouldn't get one for taking care of her other kid?

I'm guessing they consider the child support from the other father to be helping her pay for that child.