Questions You Want Answered > Child Custody and Support > What is child support?
Child support is the amount of money the legislature has decided is necessary to provide a child with the basic necessities of life on a monthly basis. Its award in Maryland is based on the gross monthly joint income of the parents and its purpose is to ensure that the child enjoys the same standard of living in both of his/her parents' houses. Those necessities include the proportionate cost of having a home large enough for the child to spend time, additional utility costs for having the child in the household, cand ost of gasoline to transport the child, as well as the direct costs such as clothing and food for the child.
Last updated on July 19, 2010 by Karen Robbins, Attorney at Law