Terms Used In Maryland Code, FAMILY LAW 5-1032

  • Adult: means an individual at least 18 years old. See
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
(a) If the court finds that the alleged father is the father, the court shall pass an order that:

(1) declares the alleged father to be the father of the child; and

(2) provides for the support of the child.

(b) (1) The father shall pay the sum to be specified in the order until the first to occur of the following events:

(i) the child becomes an adult;

(ii) the child dies;

(iii) the child marries; or

(iv) the child becomes self-supporting.

(2) If the child is an adult but is destitute and cannot be self-supporting because of a physical or mental infirmity, the court may require the father to continue to pay support during the period of the infirmity.

(c) Any money that is due for child support under this subtitle and is unpaid at the time the child becomes an adult, dies, marries, or becomes self-supporting is a continuing obligation of any party bound by the order of court until the money is paid.

(d) The court shall pass an immediate and continuing withholding order on earnings of the father in accordance with Title 10, Subtitle 1, Part III of this article.