I can never remember which financial statement I have to file and when – the nine page long form at Rule 9-203(a), the one page short form at Rule 9-203(b) or none at all. Fortunately, the answer is provided in Maryland Rule 9-203:
(e) Financial statement – Spousal support.– If spousal support is claimed by a party and either party alleges that no agreement regarding support exists, each party shall file a current financial statement in substantially the form set forth in Rule 9-203 (a). The statement shall be filed with the party’s pleading making or responding to the claim. If the claim or the denial of an agreement is made in an answer, the other party shall file a financial statement within 15 days after service of the answer.
(f) Financial statement – Child support.– If establishment or modification of child support is claimed by a party, each party shall file a current financial statement under affidavit. The statement shall be filed with the party’s pleading making or responding to the claim. If the establishment or modification of child support in accordance with the guidelines set forth in Code, Family Law Article, §§ 12-201 – 12-204 is the only support issue in the action and no party claims an amount of support outside of the guidelines, the required financial statement shall be in substantially the form set forth in Rule 9-203 (b). Otherwise, the statement shall be in substantially the form set forth in Rule 9-203 (a).
So if you are asking for alimony, file the long form with your complaint or within 15 days of filing your answer.
If you only want guidelines child support, file the short form with your complaint or answer. But if you want child support in excess of the guidelines, file the long form with the complaint or answer. It’s all in Maryland rule 9-203.