Does paying child support prevent abandonment claims in Maryland?

No. This is one of the most common misconceptions. Paying child support does NOT negate abandonment in Maryland (or any state).

Abandonment under Md. Code Fam. Law § 5-3A-35 is about the relationship with the child — not financial obligations. A parent who sends money but has no meaningful contact with the child for 12+ months is still considered to have abandoned the child.

The key factors the Circuit Court looks at:

• Has the parent visited the child?
• Has the parent communicated with the child?
• Has the parent participated in the child's life?

If the answer to all of these is "no" for 12+ months, the court will likely find abandonment — regardless of whether child support was paid.

We include a detailed abandonment affidavit in your document package that addresses exactly these factors.