Section 12-101 - Award by court - Authorized. - Maryland Statutes

§ 12-101. Award by court - Authorized.
 

(a)  Awarded from time of filing of pleading.-  

(1) Unless the court finds from the evidence that the amount of the award will produce an inequitable result, for an initial pleading that requests child support pendente lite, the court shall award child support for a period from the filing of the pleading that requests child support. 

(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, unless the court finds from the evidence that the amount of the award will produce an inequitable result, for an initial pleading filed by a child support agency that requests child support, the court shall award child support for a period from the filing of the pleading that requests child support. 

(3) For any other pleading that requests child support, the court may award child support for a period from the filing of the pleading that requests child support. 

(b)  Credit for payments.- The court shall give credit for payments that the court finds have been made during the period beginning from the filing of the pleading that requests child support. 

(c)  Notice requirement.- Any support order or modification of a support order that is passed on or after July 1, 1997 shall include a statement that: 

(1) each party is required to notify the court and any support enforcement agency ordered to receive payments, within 10 days of any change of address or employment; and 

(2) failure to comply with paragraph (1) of this subsection may result in a party not receiving notice of the initiation of a proceeding to modify or enforce a support order. 

(d)  Maternity expenses; medical support for child.-  

(1) The court may order either parent to pay all or part of: 

(i) the mother's medical and hospital expenses for pregnancy, confinement, and recovery; and 

(ii) medical support for the child, including neonatal expenses. 

(2) Subject to the right of any party to subpoena a custodian of records at least 10 days before trial, any records relating to the cost of the mother's medical and hospital expenses for pregnancy, childbirth, and recovery and any neonatal expenses of the child shall be admissible in evidence without the presence of a custodian of record and shall constitute prima facie evidence of the amount of expenses incurred. 
 

[1984, ch. 204, § 2; 1989, ch. 2; 1993, ch. 366; 1994, ch. 113, § 2; 1997, ch. 609, § 1.]