CHILD CUSTODY

Nothing is more heartbreaking than a child caught in the middle of a custody battle. Our child custody & visitation attorneys are parents themselves, so they understand the joys and rewards, trials and tribulations of parenthood. Contact a Maryland child custody attorney today for experienced and compassionate representation.

Who will get custody of your child is not a foregone conclusion. Simply because you’re a father doesn’t mean you can’t get custody of your child, and just because you’re a mother does not mean you will automatically get custody of your child. You need an experienced child custody & visitation attorney from Calslaw to help you achieve your goals.

There are two types of custody:

1. Legal Custody

2. Physical Custody

Legal custody involves decision making surrounding the health, education, religion, and general welfare of the child.

Physical custody (or “residential custody”) is where the child primarily resides.

Any arrangement of the above is possible by agreement. It is even possible for one parent to have sole physical custody and the other to have sole legal custody, or for one party to have sole physical custody with joint legal custody. Generally, any agreement the parties can make together as co-parents would be better than anything imposed by a stranger, aka “The Judge.”

It is a common misconception that courts will impose joint custody on parents in Maryland; they will not. Joint custody is an arrangement made between the parents to jointly agree on all issues concerning the health, education, religion, and general welfare of the child. In Maryland, it is not something that will be imposed by the courts upon hostile parties.

Joint custody is a viable option only if the parents have an amicable relationship and can communicate well in matters that affect the child. If the parents are not on friendly enough terms, chances are that the joint decision-making required in “joint custody” will result in more disagreements and conflict. In that case, the court will select one parent to be the sole decision maker, who will have what is referred to as “legal custody” of the child.

Seeking emergency temporary custody may be appropriate under the following situations:

1. If you believe your “ex” is going to relocate with your child without your permission or the court’s consent

2. If you notice signs of abuse or neglect by the other parent

3. If the child is in imminent danger while under the care of the other parent

Our law firm can help you understand the process of seeking emergency temporary child custody to protect your child. Contact a Maryland child custody attorney today for speedy and effective representation.

Many lawyers refer to the rights of the noncustodial parent to see his or her child as “visitation.” 

Here are a few “visitation” situations we can help with:

1. Enforcement of a noncustodial parent of a visitation agreement

2. Requests for relocation, moving and international custody issues

3. Modification of the parenting plan by a custodial or noncustodial parent

4. Modification of a visitation schedule by a parent with full or primary custody

5. Grandparents seeking visitation rights with their grandchildren

6. Protecting the rights of non-biological parents in same-sex couples