Crofton, MD Child Custody Attorney

Supportive Child Custody Attorneys for Residents of Crofton, Maryland

Child custody is a sensitive issue for parents going through divorce. In many cases, conflicts can arise when parents disagree about what kind of custody arrangement is best for the child. If you need help navigating a disagreement with your co-parent, a Crofton child custody attorney can provide you with skilled legal advocacy.

At DM Family Law, we are prepared to provide you with superb counsel and representation for your ongoing family law issue. Attorney David Marquardt is a solo practitioner with over two decades of relevant legal experience in divorce cases and similar legal disputes. When you work with our firm, you will receive individualized, one-on-one service to help protect your parental rights.

Joint and Sole Custody in Maryland

Many parents are able to work together in some kind of joint custody agreement. Both parents might share the responsibility of taking care of the child and making important decisions, known as physical and legal custody, respectively.

Joint custody arrangements can be quite flexible. For instance, the parents could have an even 50/50 split of physical and legal custody. Or, if needed, one parent may have primary physical custody while the other parent still has input on decisions about healthcare, school, extracurricular activities, and so on.

In some cases, one parent may be given sole physical and legal custody. This may be appropriate if the other parent is not fit to take care of the child or has a past history of abuse within the household. At DM Family Law, we represent parents in contested sole custody cases, building a case based on the child's well-being.

When Can a Custody Order Be Modified?

In most cases, the courts will allow a custody modification if there has been a substantial change in circumstances. However, before a proposed modification can be approved, it is up to the parent to show that the modification would be in the child's best interests.

A parental relocation usually necessitates some kind of change to the existing custody order, especially if the move is out of state. If the non-custodial parent agrees to the relocation, the move can proceed as planned. However, the moving parent must give at least 90 days' notice in writing before a proposed move, regardless of how far the move will be.

At DM Family Law, we can help you petition for or against a proposed custody modification, fighting to uphold your parental rights.

Will I Have to Pay Child Support?

The allocation of child custody in Maryland directly impacts how child support is assigned. In Maryland, the responsibility for child support usually falls to the non-custodial parent who does not primarily reside with the child. The state's child support guidelines also factor in how much time the non-custodial parent spends taking care of the child.

Child support typically ends around the time when a child graduates from high school and becomes an adult. However, parents can also be ordered to provide non-minor child support for children with profound disabilities.

Moreover, you can petition to modify an order of child support based on changing circumstances. If your child needs additional support due to a change in their health, you can petition for increased monthly payments. Conversely, if you are unable to fulfill your child support obligations due to a good-faith change in circumstances like the loss of a job, you can petition for a decreased amount in support payments.

Contact a Crofton, Maryland Child Custody Attorney

Figuring out a proper child custody arrangement in light of a divorce can be challenging. At DM Family Law, we have the legal knowledge and skills to support you in a contested custody case. Call our offices at 443-545-8100 or contact our Crofton child custody lawyer to schedule a free consultation today.