Establishing legal fatherhood:
Under Maryland law, a child born to parents who are not married has no legal father and a child born to a married couple is presumed to be the child of the couple. There is a difference between a biological father and a legal father. To establish paternity, you, your child, and your child's father may have to undergo genetic testing. Genetic testing simply involves passing a swab along the inside of the cheek to gather a saliva sample. Your Attorney can explain the process of establishing paternity to you and your child's father. Your attorney can explain the rights and responsibilities that go along with paternity and answer your questions.
Maryland Child Support Guidelines
The Maryland Child Support Guidelines are established by Maryland statute and have been established so that the parties will have realistic expectations of the potential support award. In almost all circumstances the parties cannot agree to a lesser amount than is required by the Maryland Child Support Guidelines. If you and your spouse are filing for an uncontested divorce and you have children you must also complete the Child Support Worksheet and Financial Statements and bring them to your hearing before an examiner.
Maryland Child Support Enforcement Program:
http://www.dhr.state.md.us/csea
Maryland Online Child Support Worksheet:
http://www.dhr.state.md.us/csea/worksheet.htm
