The guidelines are a formula. There is a worksheet which each side must fill out. The court will review the figures on the worksheet and apply the guidelines. There are only a few circumstances when the court can award child support higher or lower than the guidelines. In a divorce case, the husband and wife may agree to use adultery as a ground in order to obtain a divorce more quickly, knowing full well that adultery was not committed.
Collusion is illegal.
Maryland does not recognize common law marriages. Condonation generally is proven by living and cohabiting with the spouse after learning that the wrongdoing was committed. It often is used as a defense to a divorce. One side can request that the court determine that the other side is in contempt and punish him or her. If you are asking the court to grant a divorce, you must bring to the hearing a witness who can corroborate your grounds for divorce.