Legal Question in Family Law in Maryland
Child Support
I have a daughter who�s life I am uninvolved in with no plans of this changing. I do, however, pay child support and have been since she was born. I live in California, and she lives in Maryland. I have no physical custody of the child. I wanted to know what I could do to either relinquish my parental rights or to sign them over to another person. If relinquishing my rights is not possible, but signing them over is, does it have to be a person who the mother is involved with or can it be a different party such as her mother? If neither option is a possibility, is there a way I could lower the monthly support payments? I understand that there is a difference between giving up the rights and the obligation for child support. Both would be preferable. I would need to know about any necessary documents. Would a mediator be required? I will also need to know the cost of the attorney fees and the approximate duration of the process. Thank you for your help, guidance, and advice
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: Child Support
The child is entitled to support from both parents. If someone were to legally adopt the child, then your parental rights and obligations would be terminated. Such an individual would generally be a step-father. The cost depends upon who initiates the process.
Regarding modification, child support may be modified upon a showing of a material change in circumstances since the entry of the existing order. Examples include significant changes in incomes of one or both of the parents, moving out of state, etc. Child support is calculated based on the parents' incomes as well as the cost for day care, health insurance, any extraordinary medical expenses, etc.
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