In 2025, Maryland lawmakers delivered a clear message: child support isn’t an afterthought—it’s a priority. With the passage of HB261/SB110 and HB275, the state reshaped its family law framework to better reflect the financial realities facing today’s families.
For attorneys working on custody and support cases, these changes aren’t just policy shifts—they’re a call to rethink strategy, recalibrate expectations, and double down on clarity.
Key Changes from HB261/SB110
One of the most notable updates: Maryland courts must now place greater emphasis on child support when determining custody and parenting arrangements. In plain terms, the law directs judges to ensure that children’s financial needs remain central—regardless of who has primary custody.
The bills also:
- Update how income is calculated, especially in shared custody cases.
- Require clearer documentation of both parties’ financial status.
- Address cases where parents voluntarily reduce income to avoid higher support payments.
As MVLS points out, the reforms aim to close gaps in enforcement and eliminate loopholes that left too many families without the support they needed.
HB275 and the End of “Income Imputation Lite”
HB275 complements these efforts by tightening how courts handle voluntary unemployment or underemployment. Before, it was often difficult to prove a parent was dodging support obligations by working below their capacity. Now, courts are directed to look at:
- Past employment history
- Educational background
- Regional employment opportunities
That means attorneys can no longer rely on vague claims about “job market limitations” or temporary income dips. Judges have clearer authority to impute income based on reasonable earning potential—not just what’s currently reported.
At The Lincoln Law Firm, we’ve already started prepping our clients for these changes. It’s no longer enough to “just show up” to a child support hearing. Documentation, transparency, and preparation matter more than ever.
Why This Matters for Low-Income and Minority Families
While these laws aim to protect children, they also come with risks. Advocates, including those from Guzman & Salgado Law, warn that overly aggressive income imputation can punish low-income or immigrant parents who face real barriers to full-time employment—like language access, documentation issues, or caregiving responsibilities.
That’s why attorneys need to:
- Clearly document efforts their clients are making to find work.
- Provide context around caregiving duties or health limitations.
- Push for support agreements that reflect reality—not just spreadsheets.
The new laws don’t remove judicial discretion, but they raise the bar for what counts as good-faith employment or income reporting.
Strategic Adjustments for Family Law Attorneys
These reforms are reshaping how we frame nearly every part of a custody or support case. At The Lincoln Law Firm, we’re making several changes:
- Asking for income verification earlier in the process
- Building financial narratives that are easy for judges to understand
- Counseling clients on what income imputation could look like for them
And we’re not waiting for court to do the math. In many cases, we now run multiple child support scenarios in advance, showing how slight changes in custody time or income can shift outcomes significantly.
Maryland’s family courts are moving in a direction that prioritizes financial accountability for kids. That’s a good thing—but it also demands more from attorneys and clients alike. The new laws don’t just enforce responsibility—they redefine it.
At The Lincoln Law Firm, we’re treating these updates as more than just legal fine print. They’re a roadmap. And if you’re navigating custody or support this year, make sure you’ve got someone who knows how to read it.
