In re: Marriage of Houser

Summary

The Supreme Court of Maryland held that divorcing parents cannot bilaterally waive child support or arrears because the child, rather than either parent, holds the right to support. It further held that ordering legally required child support does not violate parents' substantive due process rights because the parental liberty interest in care, custody, and upbringing does not include a right to avoid financial obligations owed to a child. The court also held that the trial court acted within its discretion in rejecting the parties' proposed zero-support agreement because they failed to justify that result in an above-guidelines case. No separate opinions were filed.