Voluntary Impoverishment in Calculating Child Support in Maryland

In calculating child support in a divorce in Maryland a party cannot voluntary impoverish themselves.Under MD Family Law 12-205(b) the exceptions for voluntary impoverishment are those individuals who have a physical or mental disability or those who are caring for a child under the age of 2 for whom parents are jointly liable for support. The standard in Maryland is that it is voluntary impoverishment when a party makes a free and conscious choice, that is not compelled by factors outside of their control that renders him/herself without adequate resources. When a party is determined to be voluntary impoverished they are imputed with income as determined by MD Family Law 12-201(1).