Ballpark estimate of child and spousal support in Maryland

[Anonymous]

I’m trying to figure out a ballpark figure of how much child and spousal support would need to be provided in case of divorce.

Here are some high-level details:

- married 15 years
- 1 child, middle school age
- one spouse works full time, the other doesn’t work at all and hasn’t for over ten years
- Gross household income about $220k
- Own a home with a large mortgage balance, but no other debts

My understanding is that child support would need to be paid until the child is 18, but spousal support would only need to be paid for three years. Please correct me if I’m wrong in that.

Any idea of how much child and spousal support would need to be paid?

[Anonymous]

Pay for a consult with a lawyer. First, you need to figure out the likely custody situation (50/50 or something else). Second, you need to figure out how much the non-working spouse can earn which probably won't be much if they have not worked for ten years. But maybe not, maybe they have rare skills or kept up certifications and can hop back in, we have no idea. You will probably exceed the cap on the guideline tables so that's even more of a reason to have a consult with a lawyer since you have a very specific fact pattern.

[Anonymous]

Thank you. Spouse has pretty limited earning potential and has expressed no interest in pursuing a career. At first this was a joint decision but it hasn’t been for the last five years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you. Spouse has pretty limited earning potential and has expressed no interest in pursuing a career. At first this was a joint decision but it hasn’t been for the last five years.

Judge won’t care. Not working is not an option.

Varies by state but child support is a formula based on custody proportion and income. If she cries poor a judge will determine her income potential, usually after testimony from experts. So you’re looking at actually having to go to court which means higher legal fees. In most states it is awarded until 18 or completion of high school if your child turns 18 in the first half of the year.

Typically spousal support is awarded for about half the length of the marriage. People will tell you there is no alimony anymore but that’s not true, particularly in a situation like the one you describe.

This is all if you go to court. Best advice I got was pick a number and offer it. The more you fight the more the legal fees will be. If you can pick a number for spousal support that she will agree to, you might get this done for about $20,000 as you will likely pay her legal fees as well. If you fight in court you may be looking at twice that or more.

Assets will be divided 50/50. Sometimes people horse trade those for reduced spousal support.

Any retirement will require a QDRO which will cost another couple grand in legal fees before all is said and done.

[Anonymous]

Try not saying the person "hasn't worked at all" for ten years,

You probably mean "worked outside the home. "

The kid likely was not raised by wolves.

[Anonymous]

^^^Um, their kid has been in school from 8-3 for the past 10 years.

[Anonymous]

Be aware that indefinite alimony is still a thing in MD; if a judge thinks your spouse is not able to work (vs doesn't want to), that may be an issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try not saying the person "hasn't worked at all" for ten years,

You probably mean "worked outside the home. "

The kid likely was not raised by wolves.

My ex-wife was a stay-in-bed mom who had the kids in full-time day care. Nice gig if you can get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be aware that indefinite alimony is still a thing in MD; if a judge thinks your spouse is not able to work (vs doesn't want to), that may be an issue.

Possible but unlikely for a 15-year marriage with one child. Less likely if she has a college degree or graduate degrees.

A friend's STB-ex-wife was an attorney who didn't work. Two grown kids plus a 25 year marriage. She tried suing for lifetime alimony, and the judge gave her nothing. The judge did say, "Attorney Smith, you need to start billing some hours."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Try not saying the person "hasn't worked at all" for ten years,

You probably mean "worked outside the home. "

The kid likely was not raised by wolves.

OP here; yes, “worked outside the home” is the better way to phrase it. There was plenty of childcare and household work happening in the early years but in the past few years there hasn’t been a need for as much childcare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Try not saying the person "hasn't worked at all" for ten years,

You probably mean "worked outside the home. "

The kid likely was not raised by wolves.

OP here; yes, “worked outside the home” is the better way to phrase it. There was plenty of childcare and household work happening in the early years but in the past few years there hasn’t been a need for as much childcare.

Then I expect she will need (and to some extent deserves) "rehabilitative" alimony to help her transition to supporting herself. Luckily, as a PP mentioned, her desire to not support herself is not relevant.

Assuming you have 50/50, you will also be paying child support per calculations. I think this will all be money well-spent for you. Congratulations!

[Anonymous]

Also about half of pension/401k/other investment account ??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Be aware that indefinite alimony is still a thing in MD; if a judge thinks your spouse is not able to work (vs doesn't want to), that may be an issue.

Possible but unlikely for a 15-year marriage with one child. Less likely if she has a college degree or graduate degrees.

A friend's STB-ex-wife was an attorney who didn't work. Two grown kids plus a 25 year marriage. She tried suing for lifetime alimony, and the judge gave her nothing. The judge did say, "Attorney Smith, you need to start billing some hours."

Love it!

[Anonymous]

She must get a full time job immediately. Child support is formula based. Assume you each get 50/50 custody and plug in the numbers. Assume a few years of alimony (max) while she works her way back to be self supporting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be aware that indefinite alimony is still a thing in MD; if a judge thinks your spouse is not able to work (vs doesn't want to), that may be an issue.

He didn’t say that she’s a paraplegic. She can work HARD! Just ask the SAHM brigade about how hard is their job. Toughest job on earth right? So we KNOW she can work a hard job: let her make some income working hard.