Maryland · Custody and support · Updated Oct 2026
Child custody and support in Maryland
The Maryland rules for parents who divorce, from official sources: the legal term for custody, the parenting class, the official support calculator, custody mediation and the child support agency.
In short
Maryland law uses the term “custody (parenting time and decision-making authority)” for custody. Parenting class: Courts may order parents in contested custody cases to attend a co-parenting education program (Md. Rule 9-204.1); requirements vary by county. Maryland publishes an official child support calculator or guidelines.
- Custody term
- Custody (parenting time and decision-making authority)
- Parenting class
- Depends on the court
- Child support calculator
- Official child support calculator or guidelines
- Child support agency
- Maryland Department of Human Services, Child Support Administration
Custody terms in Maryland
Custody (parenting time and decision-making authority)
Mediation
If custody is disputed, many circuit courts require mediation of parenting issues unless there's domestic violence (Md. Rule 9-205). More: https://www.mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/mediationadr
Parenting class in Maryland
Courts may order parents in contested custody cases to attend a co-parenting education program (Md. Rule 9-204.1); requirements vary by county.
Child support in Maryland
- Child support calculator: Official child support calculator or guidelines
- Child support agency: Maryland Department of Human Services, Child Support Administration
Children in a Maryland divorce: what the process includes
Custody
The court's orders use Maryland's term for custody: custody (parenting time and decision-making authority).
Parenting class
Courts may order parents in contested custody cases to attend a co-parenting education program (Md. Rule 9-204.1); requirements vary by county.
Mediation
If custody is disputed, many circuit courts require mediation of parenting issues unless there's domestic violence (Md. Rule 9-205).
Child support
The official calculator or guidelines: Official child support calculator or guidelines
The child support agency
Maryland's child support agency: Maryland Department of Human Services, Child Support Administration
Questions about custody and child support in Maryland
What is child custody called in Maryland?
Maryland uses the term “custody (parenting time and decision-making authority)”.
Do parents have to take a class in a Maryland divorce?
Courts may order parents in contested custody cases to attend a co-parenting education program (Md. Rule 9-204.1); requirements vary by county.
Is there an official child support calculator for Maryland?
Yes. Maryland's official calculator or guidelines: Official child support calculator or guidelines
Which agency handles child support in Maryland?
Maryland Department of Human Services, Child Support Administration.
Is mediation required for custody in Maryland?
If custody is disputed, many circuit courts require mediation of parenting issues unless there's domestic violence (Md. Rule 9-205). More: https://www.mdcourts.gov/legalhelp/mediationadr
More about divorce in Maryland
- All Maryland divorce laws
- Uncontested divorce in Maryland
- Maryland divorce forms and filing fees
- Alimony in Maryland
- Serving divorce papers in Maryland
- Divorce timeline estimator for Maryland
- Divorce checklist for Maryland
- How to file for divorce without a lawyer
- Served with divorce papers: what to do
Custody and support in nearby states
- Official child support calculator or guidelines
- Maryland Department of Human Services, Child Support Administration
- Maryland Courts: Divorce
- Md. Code, Fam. Law 7-103 Grounds
- Md. Code, Fam. Law 7-105 Name
- Md. Code, Fam. Law 11-106 Alimony
- Circuit Court Fee Summary Chart (eff. Sept. 2, 2026)
Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.