Maryland · MD

Maryland Parenting Plan Guide

What you need to file a parenting plan in Maryland — the state's terminology, required forms, education requirements, and a free template to build from.

Informational only. This is not legal advice. Confirm every requirement with a Maryland family-law attorney before filing.

Standard term used

Parenting Plan

Parent education class

Not statewide required

Filing note

Effective 2020, Maryland requires a parenting plan or a Joint Statement of Parties Concerning Decision-Making Authority and Parenting Time.

Official state courts site

www.mdcourts.gov

What a Maryland parenting plan should cover

Legal custody: who makes decisions about school, healthcare, and religion.
Physical custody: the residential schedule for weekdays, weekends, and holidays.
A specific weekly or two-week custody schedule (2-2-3, 2-2-5-5, week-on/off, etc.).
Holiday and school-break rotation, usually alternating odd/even years.
Transportation and exchange rules — who drives, where, and at what time.
Communication rules between parents and between each parent and the child.
How future disputes will be handled (mediation, parenting coordinator, or court).

A simple Maryland parenting plan template

Copy this outline into a document, fill in the specifics, and review with an attorney before filing with the Maryland courts.

MARYLAND PARENTING PLAN

1. PARTIES
   Parent A: __________________________
   Parent B: __________________________
   Child(ren):
     Name / DOB: ______________________

2. LEGAL DECISION-MAKING
   [ ] Joint    [ ] Sole (Parent A)    [ ] Sole (Parent B)
   Notes: ____________________________

3. RESIDENTIAL SCHEDULE (Parenting Plan)
   Regular schedule (specify pattern):
   ____________________________________
   Start date of cycle: _______________

4. HOLIDAYS & SCHOOL BREAKS
   Alternating odd/even years:
     Thanksgiving:   A odd / B even
     Winter break:   ______________
     Spring break:   ______________
     Summer:         ______________
     Birthdays:      ______________

5. EXCHANGES
   Location: __________________________
   Time: ______________________________
   Transportation responsibility: _____

6. COMMUNICATION
   Between parents: [ ] app  [ ] email  [ ] text
   Parent-child while at other home:
     Frequency: ______  Method: ______

7. DECISION FRAMEWORK FOR DISPUTES
   Step 1: Direct discussion (written)
   Step 2: Mediation
   Step 3: Court

8. SIGNATURES
   Parent A: _______________  Date: ___
   Parent B: _______________  Date: ___

Child support in Maryland

Maryland uses the Income Shares model: both parents' incomes are combined, the state's schedule sets the total support the children would have received in an intact household, and each parent owes their percentage share of it. The worksheet starts from gross monthly income.

Shared-time credit

Applies at roughly 92+ overnights per year for the lesser-time parent.

Self-support reserve

About $1,250/month of the paying parent's income is protected.

Maryland's shared physical custody formula starts at 92 overnights (25%) with a 1.5 multiplier and a cliff effect near the threshold.

Estimate Maryland child support

Maryland parenting plan FAQ

How is child support calculated in Maryland?

Maryland uses the Income Shares model, which means both parents' incomes are combined, the state's schedule sets the total support the children would have received in an intact household, and each parent owes their percentage share of it. The worksheet starts from gross monthly income. At typical middle incomes the guideline devotes roughly 17% of the relevant income to one child and about 26% to two children.

Does parenting time reduce child support in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland applies a shared-parenting adjustment once the lesser-time parent has at least about 92 overnights per year. Below that threshold the standard guideline amount usually applies in full.

Is there a minimum income protection in Maryland?

Yes. Maryland protects roughly $1,250 of the paying parent's monthly income as a self-support reserve before support is ordered.

Does a Maryland parenting plan have to be in writing?

Effective 2020, Maryland requires a parenting plan or a Joint Statement of Parties Concerning Decision-Making Authority and Parenting Time. Courts in Maryland expect the residential schedule (what the state calls a Parenting Plan), holiday rotation, exchange logistics, and a dispute-resolution step to be spelled out in writing.

Put your Maryland parenting plan into practice

CustodyTrac keeps both parents on the same custody calendar, logs every exchange and message, and produces court-ready PDFs — free forever.

Create your free account

Other states

Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada

See all 50 states + DC

Next steps after your state's rules

Estimate support under this state's guideline, pick a schedule, and keep the record your court will ask for.

Parenting plan guides by state
Filing venue, required classes, and the terminology each state's courts use.
State-by-state child support estimator
Applies your state's own guideline model to your numbers.
Custody schedule patterns explained
2-2-3, 2-2-5-5, week-on/week-off, and every other common rotation.
Custody and family law glossary
Plain-English definitions of the terms in your order.
Court-ready PDF legal exports
One-click evidence packets for your attorney or a hearing — unlimited and free.
Free co-parenting app for both parents
Shared calendar, messaging, expenses, and court-ready exports at no cost to either household.

Draft your plan with free tools

Everything below is free, printable, and court-ready in format.

All free tools →Resource library →Printable templates →