A modification to the law governing how child support is calculated in Maryland took effect on October 1, 2025. This update has been referred to as the “Multifamily Adjustment” law, which takes into consideration other children living in a parent’s home who are not subject to the child support order at issue. A Maryland child support lawyer can help parents understand how this change may affect their financial obligations.
How the Multifamily Adjustment Affects Income Calculations
This change affects the calculation of a parent’s income used for child support purposes. If a parent in a child support action has a legal duty to support another child who resides in his/her home for more than 92 nights per year, an allowance will be subtracted from that parent’s income in calculating the child support obligation.
Statutory Changes to the Maryland Family Law Article
Further, this change has been incorporated into the Maryland Family Law Article § 12-201(a)(3), which states that as of October 1, 2025: “[t]he amount of the allowance for the support of additional children living in a parent’s home shall be subtracted from the parent’s actual income before the court determines the amount of a child support award.”
Open Questions and Practical Considerations
It is still unclear whether this alteration will constitute a material change in circumstances that would be a basis for a parent to move for a modification of a current child support obligation. However, it is certainly a change that parents should keep in mind and apply when calculating their child support obligations going forward. Speaking with a Maryland child support lawyer may help clarify how this update applies to individual cases.