Family Law Flashcards

Under Maryland's child support guidelines, which income model is used to calculate the basic support obligation?

Answer: The income shares model, combining both parents' adjusted actual incomes

Maryland uses the income shares model, apportioning the basic child support obligation between parents based on their combined adjusted actual incomes.

In Maryland, shared physical custody adjustments to child support apply when a parent keeps the child overnight for at least what portion of the year?

Answer: 25% of overnights (roughly 92 or more overnights)

Maryland's shared physical custody formula applies when each parent has the child for at least 25% of overnights, about 92 nights per year.

A Maryland court may impute income to a parent for child support purposes when the parent is what?

Answer: Voluntarily impoverished, meaning they freely chose to reduce or forgo income

Income may be imputed based on potential income only if the parent is voluntarily impoverished, not if unemployment is involuntary or due to disability.

Under Maryland law, when does child support generally terminate?

Answer: At age 18, or up to 19 if the child is still enrolled in secondary school

Maryland support continues to 18, extended while the child remains in high school up to age 19.

In Maryland, a premarital agreement waiving alimony is enforceable if what conditions are met?

Answer: It was entered voluntarily, with fair disclosure or knowledge of assets, and is not the product of fraud, duress, or overreaching

Under Cannon v. Cannon, Maryland enforces prenups absent fraud, duress, coercion, or overreaching, with adequate disclosure of assets; independent counsel is advisable but not required.

Which of the following is a required element for a valid marriage ceremony in Maryland?

Answer: A license and solemnization by an authorized official or religious celebrant

Maryland requires a marriage license from the county clerk and solemnization; blood tests are not required.

Does Maryland recognize common law marriages?

Answer: No, they cannot be created in Maryland, but valid common law marriages formed in other states are recognized

Common law marriage cannot be contracted in Maryland, but under comity Maryland recognizes one validly created in a jurisdiction permitting it.