Secure Both Custody Arrangements and Financial Support Simultaneously

Establishment of Custody & Child Support in Owings Mills for parents determining where children will live and how expenses will be shared after separation

Law Office of David Mahood represents parents in Owings Mills and Baltimore County who are establishing custody and child support at the same time, typically after separation or when unmarried parents need court orders to formalize their parenting and financial responsibilities. You may be seeking primary physical custody or shared custody while also pursuing a fair child support arrangement that reflects both parents' incomes and the child's needs. Maryland courts often address custody and support together because the custody schedule directly affects how support is calculated.


Child support in Maryland is determined using statutory guidelines that consider each parent's gross income, the number of children, the cost of health insurance, childcare expenses, and the amount of time each parent has physical custody. The parent with fewer overnight visits typically pays support to the parent with primary custody, and the amount is adjusted based on the specific custody arrangement. David Mahood helps clients prepare accurate income documentation, calculate guideline amounts, and present evidence that supports a fair support order.



If you need to establish custody and support, schedule a consultation to discuss your income, your proposed parenting schedule, and the documentation required.

How Custody and Support Are Decided Together

When you pursue custody and support in the same proceeding, the court will first determine the custody arrangement, including legal custody and the physical custody schedule. You will submit a proposed parenting plan, and the court will evaluate it based on the child's best interest. Once custody is decided, the court applies the Maryland child support guidelines, which use a formula based on both parents' incomes and the number of overnights each parent has with the child.



After the order is issued, you will have a defined custody schedule and a monthly support obligation that is paid through wage withholding or direct payment. Law Office of David Mahood assists clients in gathering pay stubs, tax returns, and expense records to ensure that the support calculation is accurate and reflects the true financial picture.

Support orders can be modified if there is a significant change in income, custody, or expenses, but modifications require a formal petition and evidence of the change. Custody and support cases in Baltimore County are managed by the family court, and each case is decided based on the evidence presented and the statutory guidelines. Representation helps ensure that both custody and financial arrangements are structured correctly and comply with Maryland law.

Questions Parents Ask About Custody and Support

Parents often have questions about how support is calculated and how custody arrangements affect the amount owed.

How does Maryland calculate child support?

Maryland uses a formula that considers both parents' gross incomes, the number of children, health insurance costs, childcare expenses, and the custody schedule to determine the support obligation.

What income is included in the calculation?

Gross income includes wages, salaries, bonuses, commissions, self-employment income, rental income, and certain benefits, and both parents must provide documentation of their earnings.

When does the custody schedule affect support?

The amount of overnight time each parent has with the child adjusts the support calculation, and shared physical custody arrangements typically result in lower support payments than sole custody arrangements.

How is child support paid in Owings Mills?

Support is usually paid through income withholding, where the employer deducts the payment from the paying parent's paycheck and sends it to the state disbursement unit, which then forwards it to the receiving parent.

Why is accurate financial documentation important?

Inaccurate or incomplete income information can result in an incorrect support order, and providing tax returns, pay stubs, and expense records ensures that the calculation reflects the true financial situation.

If you are preparing to establish custody and child support or need to modify an existing order, contact Law Office of David Mahood to review your case and the financial information required.

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