2025 Maryland Child Support Symposium

Welcoming remarks from Chief Justice of the Maryland Supreme Court, Matthew J. Fader, the Honorable Cathy Serrette, Chair of the Domestic Law Committee, and the Honorable Julia Weatherly, Chair of the Child Support Workgroup.  

A Problem Solving Approach to Child Support

Legislative Updates

An overview of how a party obtains assistance from the Child Support Administration to modify an existing child support obligation and a discussion of best practices.

This presentation will discuss the enforcement options available for child support orders registered with the Child Support Administration (“CSA”). Presenters will explain the agency’s administrative tools available to enforce a child support obligation, many of which are automated by the CSA’s case management computer system known as the Child Support Management System. The presentation will review the procedure for an obligor to challenge some of these administrative functions including administrative appeals to Circuit Court. There will be a thorough explanation of constructive civil contempt actions, which are the most widely used judicial enforcement tools. There will be a review of the directions provided in Md. Rule 15-207(e) and best practices from a Title IV-D attorneys’ perspective. You will learn about criminal contempt proceedings as well as actions that local agency offices may take against worker’s compensation benefits and personal injury awards.

Many obligors face barriers to paying child support, such as unemployment, substance abuse issues, or disabilities, to name a few. Learn about various programs designed to help obligors overcome these obstacles or barriers to paying child support. What can the courts do to help in both establishment and enforcement cases? What can the child support agency do to help?

Secretary Lopez