Section 5-1032 - Declaration of paternity; support by father. - Maryland Statutes

§ 5-1032. Declaration of paternity; support by father.
 

(a)  In general.- 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)  Terminating events.-  

(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)  Continuation of child support.- 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)  Garnishment of wages.- 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. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 16, §§ 66H, 66J; 1984, ch. 296, § 2; 1997, ch. 609, § 1.]